Together at last! She is a lioness saved from Romanian gypsies and he a lion confiscated from an animal trainer in France. Both have had the most unfortunate of starts and lives behind bars before being brought to our sanctuary. We couldn’t wait to unite these two together and give them the companionship they deserve. Since Simba’s arrival in Malawi on the 21st of February these two big cats have been in separate enclosures. At first they only smell and sound to go on but when the first barriers came down they were face to face for the first time. Bella had not seen another lion for over five years, yet her intense curiosity shifted to aggression and her purrs became snarls. With a weak frame and only limited vision perhaps it was Bella’s vulnerability that was the source of this hostility. Whatever her reasons, she was effectively intimidating Simba who is nearly twice her weight and size. Eventually, after countless days of observation and preparation it was deemed safe to try the introduction. On the 15th of April the doors were opened between them. Everyone held their breath as we thought there might be a fight, and we got one. Bella launched at Simba and after a 10 second tussle they separated. Bella’s hostility didn’t diminish and Simba was clearly anxious around her. Fortunately as Bella came into season everything changed. Her snarls turned to purrs and this once violent lioness turned into a flirty kitten. Bella was now rolling invitingly on the ground and trying to lick him! This equally terrified Simba (as it would any man!) and he retreated to his indoor quarters where he refused to come out. But soon Simba’s hormones started to make up for his lack of experience and he mated with Bella for the first time. Since then they have been relaxing and dozing in the sun together very much enjoying each other’s company. Though starting a family together would be a wonderful end to this story we have a no-breeding policy at our sanctuaries, saving our precious sanctuary spaces for animals in need (Simba has been vasectomised). Right now we are just busying ourselves for our public opening on the 14th of May and crossing our fingers for no more lion drama.
Posted on: Mon, 05 May 2014 09:00:52 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015