Samburu Lioness Adopts Sixth Oryx A Fixation Perhaps?

Kamuniak And Daughter Oryx

Lioness adopts Sixth baby oryx - KENYA


Tourists flocked to watch the unlikely pair. A lioness in Kenya has adopted another baby oryx - her Sixth in as
many months, game wardens at the northern Samburu National Park have reported. The lioness is said to allow a
female oryx several minutes each day to feed the new-born calf.
The oryx would normally represent a tasty meal to a lion, but this is not the first time the lioness has placed a
calf under her protection.
One was seen in her company in December last year, but it was eaten by other lions after two weeks. Another calf
was taken away from her in February and placed in a zoo because it showed signs of malnourishment.

Dangers
The chief game warden in Samburu, Simon Leirana, said that the lioness was seen with a baby oryx no more then
three days old early on Saturday. "We are baffled. We do not know what to do with this third oryx," said Mr
Leirana. He said wildlife officials might decide to let nature take its course, leaving the calf to take its chances
with starvation or other predators. The lioness is said to be "fiercely protective" of the oryx - becoming very
aggressive when any human come near. Three adult onyxes have been seen near the unlikely duo though, one of
which is believed to be the mother.
grief stricken
When the last calf was eaten by a male lion while she slept, the lioness was said to have been stricken with grief - she went around roaring in
anger. Cases of lionesses showing maternal affection for animals they would normally see as prey are not unprecedented, conservationist Daphne
Sheldrick said. "It does happen, but it's quite unusual. Lions, like all the other species, including human beings, have this kind of feelings for
babies," she said. Local newspapers have noted that all three adoptions occurred on significant days - Christmas, Valentine's Day & Good Friday.
courtesy of unusuals