While visiting Antelope Park in Gweru, Zimbabwe, I hung out with these beautiful lions.
I was soooo relieved these were not the lions I walked with because there's no way I would gotten close to these guys.
Or, more correctly: any closer to these guys than I already was...and this was definitely testing my comfort level.
Especially since our introduction to them was them CHARGING to get food placed in front of us, separated by only a thin chain-link fence.
There may have been some silent holy [insert whatever you use after this, we'll be PG] moley, crap...
Check out the charge:
It was very clear immediately who the dominate male was as he guarded the food viciously and the
other lions circled, waiting for a chance to get some food.
I can tell you, the food did not smell remotely good.
Here's the second charge (actually the first one I witnessed)--- you can see I involuntarily move backward as they charge and someone exclaims in amazement; you literally feel your heart drop to your toes and understand immediately the fear these beasts create in everyone and everything:
Isn't this tail just beautiful?
Glad I noticed it so I didn't accidentally step on it; I imagine that would not have gone over well with the lion
and I don't think that chain link fence would have done very much to protect me.
Beautiful, just beautiful.
Even with the terror they invoke in their speed, power, and size, it is so easy to be spell bound by their beauty.
This male lion was dominate for an extended period, fighting off anyone who came near.
Here's one of his fights then the subsequent grunting (attempted roaring?):
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