Writer Snapshot

We came upon a pride of 14 lions dozing languidly (as only lions can) in the long grass. The 4 adults and 11 cubs have finished stuffing themselves on a wildebeest. Heavy breathing permeates the air and flies buzz round the blood-stained muzzles. Suddenly, as if she has just remembered something, a lioness bloated with food, yawns, stretches, shakes the flies off, and begins to stalk purposefully off through the long grass. She is intent, focused. We follow in our vehicle and watch her golden body flowing through the long grass for just over a kilometer. There is one solitary tree on the horizon. As we all reach it together—vehicle and lioness—a huge male, unseen before he lifts up his heavy head, gives a little moan of recognition. Her 6-month-old cub rushes up to her, nearly knocking her over with his enthusiastic welcome. She turns around, cub trotting beside her, and begins to make her way back to the food source. The male puts his head between his paws and goes back to sleep. Babysitting over for the time being.