This cub was very eager to emulate his dad, but he’ll have to wait until he’s a bit bigger before quenching his thirst at this pool. Lions get much of the moisture they need from the blood of their prey so they don’t need to drink daily, but will readily do so when water is available. On Kenya’s savannahs – like in many African ecosystems – water shapes the landscape and regulates animal migration patterns. It can be both a source of sustenance and a perilous obstacle for the species that traverse these vast wild lands.
#wildlife #lions
Wearing a scarf of downy fur that’s typical of young cheetahs, this cub watched on from her vantage point as her mom prepared to go on the hunt. She’s still too young to take part in the chase, but she’ll watch keen-eyed from the sidelines learning the skills she’ll need to one day fend for herself. As few as 7,000 cheetahs remain in the wild today, and these big cats occupy a meagre 9% of their historic range. Habitat loss and human conflict have decimated their populations and it’s now up to all of us to find sustainable solutions that will secure a future for these iconic cats.
#cheetahs #wildlife #nature
A lion in his prime – his dark mane a marker of his dominance – parades across a plain, honey-hued eyes fixed on the horizon. It’s frightening to consider that, according to some research, in just five decades Africa’s lion populations have declined by over 75%. Hunting and habitat loss are the primary drivers of the decline, which puts these big cats firmly in the extinction crosshairs. For healthy gene flow and to help protect lions from hunting, these cats need vast areas in which to roam, something that is becoming scarcer as human development advances and critical habitats shrink. If we hope to continue seeing these iconic cats striding across the grasslands, we need to put every effort into protecting their habitats and reducing both legal and illegal hunting.
#lion #wildlife #nature #bigcat #bigcatsofinstagram
Elephants are methodical eaters. With purposeful resolve and a surprisingly degree of dexterity, they’ll carefully dig up rhizomes and break apart vegetation to get at tasty seeds and fruit. These massive mammals consume huge quantities of food each day and often travel long distances to reach their foraging grounds or reliable water sources. Along the way, they spread seeds through their dung and, perhaps knowingly, alter entire landscapes as they contribute to the renewal of plant life across vast distances.
#elephants #wildlife #nature
In a rowdy game of “King of the Castle”, a young male refuses to relinquish his spot at the top of a termite mound, remaining unmoved in the face of a snarling female. At the base of the mound, a young cub tries to insert himself into the action, his muddied coat evidence of the physicality of the game. Each moment spent in the company of lions offers a fresh glimpse into the intricate bonds that govern life in the pride, slowly chipping away at the invisible barrier that divides us from these apex predators.
#lion #bigcats #wildlife
Cheetah cubs are always observing, learning, and imitating. This youngster tried his best to mimic his mom’s gaze as she zeroed in on something on the horizon. For the cub, it’s a lesson in vigilance and caution, but for his mother, it’s more than that. She’s the last line of defence against any approaching threats. While her cub might just be practising his spotting skills, she is scanning the landscape for danger and opportunities.
#bigcats #bigcatsofinstagram #cute #cheetah #maasaimara
In the roughly four decades we’ve spent sharing our lives with big cats and documenting their behaviour we’ve been privileged to get to know each individual animal, to witness the unique characteristics and traits that separate one cat from the next. Some cubs are bold and adventurous while others are shy and rarely stray too far from the protection of mom. But when challenged, all lions have fight in them. It’s an essential quality they’ll need to survive the dangerous and unpredictable landscape they call home.
#lions #bigcatsofinstagram #wildlife #nature
Locked in. Eons of evolution have sculpted cheetahs into refined, specialised hunters. While speed is their most famous attribute, these cats must locate their prey before they can sprint after it – and cheetahs have the eyes for the job. Elongated retinal fovea give these cats a tack sharp, wide-angle view of the surroundings, which is essential for predators that hunt and roam on vast, open savannahs. Forward-facing, high-set eyes give them spectacular binocular vision so they can hone in on their selected target with laser-like precision. Unlike other big cats that do most of their hunting at night, the cheetah’s diurnal stalking behaviour requires a better grasp of colour. An abundance of a specific type of cone photoreceptor in the cheetah’s eyes help them to better discriminate colours. And to keep the glaring sun from obstructng their vision, cheetahs have dark, distinctive malar stripes that run down the sides of their face to reflect light away from their eyes. These remarkable adaptations fuse together to form a formidable and uniquely adapted hunter.
#wildlife #cheetah
As if in a coordinated procession, a small herd of oryx charge across the Makgadikgadi salt pans, the afternoon sun stretching their shadows out behind them like trailing wakes on the parched sand. Adapted to life in arid areas, oryx can survive for extended periods without water. In desert regions where a drink is hard to come by, these resilient antelope forage for moisture-rich tubers, thick-leaved plants, and wild melons.
#wildlife #Makgadikgadi
As if in a coordinated procession, a small herd of oryx charge across the Makgadikgadi salt pans, the afternoon sun stretching their shadows out behind them like trailing wakes on the parched sand. Adapted to life in arid areas, oryx can survive for extended periods without water. In desert regions where a drink is hard to come by, these resilient antelope forage for moisture-rich tubers, thick-leaved plants, and wild melons.
#wildlife #Makgadikgadi
As if in a coordinated procession, a small herd of oryx charge across the Makgadikgadi salt pans, the afternoon sun stretching their shadows out behind them like trailing wakes on the parched sand. Adapted to life in arid areas, oryx can survive for extended periods without water. In desert regions where a drink is hard to come by, these resilient antelope forage for moisture-rich tubers, thick-leaved plants, and wild melons.
#wildlife #Makgadikgadi
Witnessing and documenting a hunt can be a both exhilarating and heartbreaking. It’s nature in all of its manifestations, both brutal and beautiful. From calculated approach to mesmerising sprint, it’s a power struggle that constantly shifts between predator and prey. This was the cheetah’s hard-earned victory, but not all hunts will go her way.
#cheetah #wildlife #nature #bigcat #bigcatsofinstagram
We’ve had the privilege of spending much of our lives alongside big cats like lions, slowly unravelling the complexities of life in the pride, and sharing these unique stories through our films and photos. Our mission has always been to connect audiences with these charismatic creatures and to highlight the need to protect them. The theme for this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity embodies that goal and is a call to action that should not be ignored: ‘Be part of the plan’. Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. If we allow apex predators like lions to disappear from the savannahs and woodlands they call home, we risk losing entire ecosystems. Lions are architects of biodiversity, they shape and balance ecosystems. This is why we, along with many other scientists and conservationists around the world, are devoted to protecting these cats. By safeguarding lions and their habitats, we can secure the future of countless other plant and animal species that live alongside Africa’s apex predators.
Follow @greatplainsfoundation to learn more about our Big Cats Initiative.
#biodiversity #bigcats #bigcatconservation #bigcastofinstagram #lions
So much expression can be conveyed through a leopard’s eyes. Moments of complete calm and serenity can quickly change with the presence of prey or an approaching rival. And it’s usually a leopard’s eyes that reveal these subtle shifts. This cat suddenly locked onto something in the distance. Her prolonged, intense stare suggested that danger might be lurking in the shadows.
#leopard #wildlife #nature
Nothing stares quite like a giraffe. Once something catches their attention, they’ll lock in on their target and keep it firmly in their gaze until they’re satisfied the threat has subsided. There are advantages that come with added height. These lofty mammals have a panoramic view of their surroundings and can spot looming threats from some distance off. Their long necks also allow them to feed on the higher branches of acacia trees – their preferred food of choice. However, giraffes can also be vulnerable if they lose their balance or are overpowered by ambitious predators. Once down, it’s difficult for these giants to get up in a hurry and lions will be quick to subdue a fallen giraffe. The reasons for their long necks are not fully understood. Some evolutionary researchers suggest competition for food coaxed the animals upwards to get above any herbivorous rivals, but fossil findings show that giraffe ancestors were armed with bony ‘helmets’ for head-butting – evidence that shows male rivalry may have played a role in the giraffe’s upward expansion. Whatever the reasons, these distinctive animals have became icons of the African bush.
#giraffe #wildlife #nature
On Kenya’s open plains, there’s little shelter from a downpour. This herd of impala were forced to endure the deluge, which painted the landscape in a haze of sepia as the afternoon sun fought to break through the storm clouds. For the impala, the unpleasantness is fleeting and the rain brings with it the promise of new growth – fresh grass shoots on which the antelope will soon feast.
#wildlife #rain #Kenya
Water-dependent species like zebras and giraffes are creatures of habit. Aligned with their bodily rhythms and the ebb and flow of the seasons, they march along well-worn paths between grazing grounds and water sources. On the open savannahs of East Africa, their paths become like crisscrossed brushstrokes, etched into the earth, reminding us of their journey and the importance of ensuring that we do not let their tracks fade away.
#nature #wildlife
On Kenya’s open plains, there’s little shelter from a downpour. This herd of impala were forced to endure the deluge, which painted the landscape in a haze of sepia as the afternoon sun fought to break through the storm clouds. For the impala, the unpleasantness is fleeting and the rain brings with it the promise of new growth – fresh grass shoots on which the antelope will soon feast.
#wildlife #rain #Kenya
The slightest movement or sound can trigger a leopard’s finely tuned instincts. A flicker in the branches above captured the attention of this young cat and her curiosity took over. For leopard cubs, exploration is essential. With every sound she investigates, and every movement she chases, she’s learning and processing her experiences into a refined set of skills that will one day allow her to hunt and survive on her own.
#leopard #bigcatsofinstagram #wildlife #nature
African painted dogs are social predators that rely on strong bonds within the pack. Almost every action is communal, each dog a vital part of a cohesive group. It’s not unusual to see painted dogs sneeze as they begin to stir from their sleep in preparation for a hunt. Some research suggests that sneezing acts as a voting system, helping the pack make group decisions. Painted dogs are highly efficient pack hunters, so communication and cohesion are crucial. Hunts are often preceded by a “social rally,” where the dogs dash around, touch heads, and wag their tails frantically. Sometimes, this frenzy fizzles out, and the dogs settle down to nap, but other rallies lead to a hunt. Researchers have observed that more sneezing during these pre-hunt rituals increases the likelihood of the dogs pursuing prey. Interestingly, when an alpha male initiates the sneezing, fewer sneezes are needed to get the pack moving. While sneezing might help clear their nasal passages in preparation for the hunt, it also appears to serve as a form of communication. Even in the wild, important decision can be determined by a democratic vote.
#wilddogs #wildlife #voting
Elephants may look ungainly, but these lumbering giants are surprisingly agile. Beneath the wrinkled skin on their pillar-like feet is a complex, uniquely adapted anatomy. Although the elephants’ toes are not visible, they are orientated in a partially vertical position, almost as though they are walking on tiptoes. A thick fatty pad helps support their substantial weight and protects their feet from sharp thorns or pointy rocks. Elephants will typically avoid the high-energy costs of clambering up steep slopes, but when a climb is unavoidable, they certainly have the equipment to take on the challenge.
#elephant #wildlife #nature
The Okavango Delta in northern Botswana is a truly remarkable ecosystem. One of the world’s only inland deltas that does not flow into a sea or ocean, its fragile existence is dependent on a delicate balance of hydrological, climatic and biological processes which combine in perfect harmony to create a paradise for so many species. While many wild spaces in Africa dry out in the winter months, the Okavango comes alive as water from the Angolan highlands surges onto the flatlands turning the entire area into a drenched floodplain. This creates unique conditions for the species that call this place home: predators like lions must navigate deep water channels and spillways, elephants migrate into the area and thrive in the water-rich ecosystem, and a diversity of wetland birds flock to feast in the sandy shallows. From the air, the patchwork of paths created by elephants and hippos form intersecting scribbles on the landscape, segmenting the lush green vegetation.
But even this watery paradise is at risk from habitat destruction, as humans encroach further into wild spaces. This #WorldWetlandsDay, we’re drawing attention to the importance of places like the Okavango and highlighting the urgent need to protect them.
Visit @greatplainsfoundation to find out more about our conservation work.
#wildlifeconservation #wildlife #nature #Okavango #wetlands
#Repost from @natgeo
From its first wobbly steps, this young calf in Kenya’s Masai Mara has been surrounded by an abundance of maternal care and guidance. Matriarch mothers, sisters, aunts, daughters—elephant society rests on the power and resilience of female bonds. This protective circle of allomothering keeps calves safe from hazards, provides comfort and sustenance, and imparts the generational knowledge necessary for survival.
Framed between two tank-like rhinos, a spotted hyena crept past to quench its thirst at a quieter part of the waterhole. Although hyenas are ambitious and determined hunters easily capable of tackling large prey, healthy adult rhinos are not on the menu. These two paid little heed to the predator and instead focused their attention on gulping down several litres of water. Rhinos can survive for a number of days without drinking, but where water is available, they will often visit a reliable water source multiple times in a day.
#wildlife #rhino #hyena
