Under a seemingly endless Kenyan sky – clouds swollen grey with the promise of rain – a herd of elephants march across a barren plain in search of food. With great size comes great nutritional needs, and elephants sometimes travel vast distances in search of fresh drinking water and food. Resilient and resourceful as they are, these giants may still suffer and possibly perish during prolonged dry spells. As climatic conditions continue to shift and droughts become more regular and severe, elephants (along with a host of other species) face an uncertain future.
#elephants #wildlife #nature
This look says it all. There’s a limit to the patience of adult lions, and this cheeky cub is moments away from a scolding.
#wildlife #nature #lions #bigcats
The job of conserving our planet’s threatened species is never complete. While we celebrate every success, and praise the dedicated men and women who fight for our future, we must also acknowledge the monumental challenge that lies ahead if we hope to achieve sustainable solutions to the problems facing the natural world.
So, as the sun sets for the final time in 2023, we’re renewing our commitment to safeguarding the planet and welcoming the challenges that the new year might bring. There is much to be done, but through collaboration and hard work, we can succeed.
#2024 #newyear #renew #wildlife
He may be a dominant male, but this lion turned tail when faced with five well-horned buffaloes. There’s an age-old rivalry between these two species, and with that seems to come mutual respect. Aware that without the element of surprise or the support of the pride, standing up to this formidable wall of bovine strength would be foolish, the lion made a wise and hasty retreat. His time may come, though. When one of the buffaloes is weakened by age or injury or strays too far from the herd, the lion and his pride will not be far away.
#lion #wildlife #nature #bigcats
Striding into a new year …
As we prepare for another year of documenting our planet’s remarkable species and fighting for their protection, we’re once again taking our inspiration from elephants. Much like the gentle giants we have been fortunate enough to spend countless hours observing, we will try to navigate the new year with empathy, grace and compassion.
#newyear #elephant #wildlife
Lion cubs are endlessly entertaining. Boisterous bouts of play fighting are a regular part of life for young cats as they wrestle with their siblings, learning their limits and establishing a family pecking order. Sadly, many cubs succumb to attacks from rival predators, disease or abandonment, and according to some estimates, only around 20% of cubs will survive to the age of two.
In addition to natural threats, around a third of all lion deaths are caused by poaching. Populations of these big cats have plummeted in the last 50 years, and their numbers have declined by as much as 75%. We created the Big Cats Initiative with National Geographic 15 years ago to help fund conservation and research initiatives to aid Africa’s big cats. Today, the initiative is run by @greatplainsfoundation and to date, we have awarded over 150 grants to projects across the continent to help save lions (and their feline cousins).
#wildlife #nature #lions #bigcats #bigcatsofinstagram
Sundays are for snoozing. Lions sleep for most of the day, reserving their energy for the evenings when they go on the hunt. With limited sweat glands and a full coat of fur (not to mention a shaggy mane in the case of male lions), these big cats are quick to overheat, so they’ll avoid prolonged daytime activity when the blazing African sun puts them at a disadvantage. This youngster found a flat rock to rest its head on – anything can be a pillow for big cats in the wild!
#lion #bigcats #wildlife #nature
Every moment spent in nature is special and gives us a reason to hope and persevere on our journey to protect our planet. I’m excited to share some of my most treasured images from this year – what scenes have inspired you in 2023? Use this audio and share your pictures of the year with @natgeo using #NatGeoPOY23
Image 1: These muscular cats moved with purpose through a crimson-soaked dawn, likely on their way to find a shady spot to settle for the day. Botswana’s Okavango Delta, with its undisturbed wetlands and seasonally flooded grasslands, is one of only a few African strongholds for lions. Photographing these cats in a landscape so vast and varied is a special experience.
Image 2: Ever vigilant, this cheetah mom in Kenya’s Maasai Mara scanned the horizon for approaching threats or potential meals. Her tiny cub could do little more than watch, huddled at her feet. At this age, he’s almost entirely reliant on his mom, and will stick close to her until he’s big enough to venture off on his own.
Image 3: The natural world abounds with fascinating examples of interconnectedness. Giraffes are often accompanied by oxpeckers, industrious birds that greedily take advantage of any burrowing parasites embedded in the animals’ skin. It’s a relationship of give and take, sacrifice and reward that – like so many other examples of nature’s interdependence – helps bring balance.
Image 4: In a scene that feels almost prehistoric, a rhino grazes against a backdrop of clouds swollen with the promise of rain. In many parts of Africa, government officials and private game reserve owners have opted to dehorn their rhinos in an effort to make them less appealing to poachers. It’s becoming rarer to see rhinos in the wild with their horns still intact.
Image 5: No matter how many hours I spend in the company of elephants, I still experience moments of astonishment at their extraordinary social cohesion. Born into extended family groups, elephant calves are not only nurtured by their mothers, but they also receive protection from older siblings and relatives. This calf, nestled under its mother’s protective underbelly was guarded by the herd.
This trio of white rhinos – one of which exhibited a magnificent front horn – were content to graze on an open plain, providing the perfect opportunity for me to snap a low-angle shot. White rhinos are usually more docile than their hooked-lipped relatives, but it’s still important not to encroach on their space, so I used a telephoto lens to document this scene from a distance.
All species of rhinos remain heavily threatened by poaching and habitat loss, and these prehistoric creatures have become symbolic of human greed and thoughtlessness. But for us, they are beacons of hope. White rhinos were once on the precipice of extinction in South Africa, but thanks to the incredible dedication and passion of a team of conservationists, the species was given a fighting chance. Although rhinos are, once again, under significant threat, their plight has not gone unnoticed. If we work together, we can save them.
#rhinos #wildlife #nature #stoprhinopoaching
We have much to learn from elephants: empathy, grace, loyalty, and, of course, the importance of having fun. With mom nearby, these two youngsters engaged in a trunk-flailing play fight, each lively interaction another lesson in their journey to adulthood.
We have drawn so much inspiration from elephants in our years as wildlife documentarians, and we feel a deep responsibility to protect them. Three decades ago, southern African countries accounted for around 20% of Africa’s total elephant population. But as poaching intensified in Central and East Africa, that share has grown to more than 50%. We must act now. Protecting habitats, creating wildlife corridors and promoting coexistence is vital to securing the future of this amazing species.
#wildlife #nature #conservation #elephant
Although zebras can survive for a few days without water, they usually drink on a daily basis, trudging along well-worn paths that lead to reliable rivers or pools. In Kenya’s predator-dense Maasai Mara, vigilance is vital. This zebra sipped tentatively, aware of the danger that could be lurking unseen beneath the surface. During East Africa’s annual ungulate migration, crocodiles claim the lives of thousands of zebras that fall victim to the reptiles during turbulent river crossings. Careful steps, a steady head and constant watchfulness, help this zebra safely quench its thirst.
#zebra #wildlife #nature
The festive season is a time to reconnect with family and loved ones and to share special moments with those closest to us. For elephants, family is everything. Bonds amongst herd members are forged early on through play, gentle physical contact, and an intricate communication system that we are yet to fully decipher. Calves rely on their mothers and older elephants for guidance and protection, further underpinning the importance of familial togetherness in the herd. Throughout our years documenting the wonders of the natural world, we have always drawn inspiration from the intelligence, tolerance and empathy of elephants. This holiday season, we will, once again, take our cues from Africa’s giants.
#wildlife #nature #elephants
They may be Africa’s tallest animals, but even giraffes look small against a magnificent backdrop of undulating Kenyan hills blanketed in early morning mist. Giraffes typically feed on the leaves and buds of trees and shrubs, so a vast plain like this is not an ideal feeding ground for this towering giant. He’ll have to trek across the savannah in search of a pocket of trees to get his fill.
#giraffe #wildlife #nature
Lions are coordinated hunters. To successfully bring down large prey, each cat has a role to play, and they usually take their cues from the most experienced members of the pride. Cubs take every opportunity they get to practise their stalking and pouncing skills, and mom is often the unwilling victim of their boisterous attacks.
#lions #wildlife #nature #bigcatsofinstagram
An army at dawn. When grazing, Cape buffaloes may appear docile and lethargic, but these powerful animals quickly transform into formidable fighters if forced to go on the offensive. Lions are the only predators bold enough to take on an adult buffalo, and when they do, it usually results in a monumental battle.
#wildlife #nature #buffalo
This young gorilla paused while feasting on lush vegetation in the forest canopy of Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. Great apes are our closest living relatives. We share over 98 percent of our DNA with gorillas, and when looking into the eyes of these incredible animals, we see a little of ourselves staring back. Primates also play a vital and under-appreciated role in healthy ecosystems, helping disperse seeds and aiding in the regeneration of forests.
But gorillas are heavily threatened. Poaching for bushmeat and trade continues to contribute to the decline of populations, forcing both Eastern and Western gorillas to the brink. This #WorldMonkeyDay, let’s take a moment to appreciate all primate species and remind ourselves of the urgent need to protect them.
#gorilla #wildlife #nature
Unlike lions, which are a touch too heavyset for climbing, leopards have an astounding ability to navigate the treetops with finesse and agility. It’s a skill for which they are perfectly adapted. Powerful shoulders and legs, strong claws and heavily muscled backs all help make the task of tree-climbing a bit easier. A low centre of gravity and a long, sturdy tail mean that leopards rarely lose their balance, even when hurtling down a branch at a 45 ° angle.
#wildlife #nature #conservation #leopard #bigcats #bigcatsofinstagram
A black-and-white colour palate lends a certain raw authenticity to wildlife photography that usually works best in scenes characterised by deep contrasts between light and dark. This cheetah was perfectly posed on a canvas of blackened rock, which made the cat’s pale buff coat stand out.
#wildlife #nature #cheetah #bigcats #bigcatsofinstagram
Like all cats, cheetahs have a zealous curiosity and playfulness that helps drive their development from uncoordinated cubs to masterful hunters. Playtime is more than just an excuse to use up some of their boundless energy; it’s an opportunity to learn vital skills that will one day allow the cats to hunt for themselves. Cubs usually stay with their mothers for around 18 months before facing the daunting task of roaming the savannahs alone. Male siblings will sometimes form hunting coalitions, but many cheetahs live solitary lives. Sadly, the mortality rate for cubs is high, and many of them do not make it to adulthood. When coupled with a continually growing list of unnatural threats like poaching, habitat loss and – in some areas – trafficking for the pet trade, cheetahs face an uncertain future.
#cheetah #wildlife #nature
#Repost from @natgeo
The intensity. The razor focus. The muscles honed to perfection. It takes physical power, tenacity, and great skill to execute a successful hunt in the swamps of Botswana’s famed Okavango Delta. It’s not surprising that the demands—and the bountiful offerings—of this unique environment shape lions that are among the largest and strongest on Earth. The delta also represents one of the last strongholds for an apex predator that increasingly finds itself hemmed by encroaching human activity and diminishing habitat. Lions are now confined to a mere 8% of their historic range. If we want to secure their future, we must protect the fragile wildernesses that still sustain them.
Ever alert, this black-backed jackal paused momentarily while quenching its thirst to scan its surroundings for a potential meal or any approaching threats. Jackals are highly adaptable, hardy survivors, capable of thriving in a variety of landscapes, from city suburbs to parched deserts. Their extensive range sometimes puts them in conflict with humans as they stray onto farmlands and occasionally prey on livestock or domestic dogs. In wild areas where larger predators have been eliminated, jackals play a critical role in controlling prey species and removing potentially diseased carcasses from the landscape.
#wildlife #nature #jackal
#Repost from @natgeo
Photo by @beverlyjoubert | A moment of affection in the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta captures the essence of the vital social bonds among male lions. From hunting success to territorial defense, these alliances are crucial to survival in the challenging, competitive, and often brutal world of these big cats. It takes time and many shared trials for these bonds to develop, which makes moments like this one more important than they might seem. Grooming rituals, mutual care, and shared affection form the very fabric of the ties that bind.
In a swirling haze of morning mist, a lone wildebeest treks across a vast Kenyan savannah. In this part of the world, wildebeest are rarely on their own, and the rest of this loner’s herd was not far away. Each year, the Serengeti and Mara landscapes play host to one of the largest movements of animals on the planet, as more than a million wildebeest surge across the landscape on their way to better grazing grounds. It’s a migration that today is threatened by fences, roads and settlements that cut the animals off from their historical routes. This affects tourism in the area and creates an ecological imbalance that can have a long-lasting impact on our planet. Research indicates that without large numbers of wildebeest to consume vegetation on the plains, wildfires would become more frequent and intense, transforming the Serengeti landscape from a giant carbon reservoir to a contributor to rising carbon levels in the atmosphere. Although we still have much to learn about the intricacies of the natural world and the interplay between different species, one thing is clear: the more damage we do to delicate ecosystems, the greater the risk to our planet.
#wildlife #nature #conservation #wildebeest #migration
As the holiday season ushers in the end of another year, we can reflect on our successes and renew our commitment to safeguarding our precious planet. Meaningful change cannot happen without collaboration, so thank you to everyone for your support and generosity during 2023. From @DereckJoubert, @GreatPlainsConservation, @GreatPlainsFoundation, the entire Wildlife Films team, and myself, we wish you a happy festive season, and we’re excited about the possibilities that a new year might bring.
