Asiatic Lion Courtship, Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore [2003/04]. 6.30 am when we set out and caught this fantastic drama of courting which lasted for about 40-45 minutes and left us (PfA Volunteers) slightly confused as these felines, we were told, have been neutered to control their reproductive rate within the park. Above, is where the lionesses were beginning to respond to the male's roaring (call) which started from a distance of about a kilometre away in the direction they're facing and begun roaring back. . .
The females were by now pretty agitated and on guard while the male we noticed seemed to be approaching the female(s) continuing what seemed like his mate call. . . When this followed and ended with hostility towards the male. . .
I suppose instinctive behaviours die hard or this was mere territorialism. I haven’t observed the same animals over a period of time since, however, that particular day seemed to best explain itself as courtship and mate selection considering there is no space for predator/food competition here, these felines are captive and don't hunt live prey Most animals at the park are of rescue and rehab. These felines are ones rescued from abused and illegal possession such as circuses, etc., and treated with a combination of homeopathy, ayurvedic and conventional/alopathy medication (pers comm. PfA volunteer and park authorities, 2002-04). However, they are still captive animals and not free ranging. Referenced videos and sites:
(accessed: 25.04.09)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baRcniG9zO4 (accessed: 24.04.09)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7eRGHVx3p0 (accessed: 24.04.09)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsL8CFfWxmQ (accessed: 24.04.09)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHZBNtlxbys (accessed: 24.04.09)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJa1LuePmDc (accessed: 24.04.09)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mH6ffZpcik (accessed: 24.04.09)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bigcat/video/# (accessed: 24.04.09)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bigcat/video/ (accessed: 24.04.09)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bigcat/video/ (accessed: 24.04.09)
Cleave; Big Cats - A Portrait of the Animal World, pp: 16- 18; 43-49,
http://www.girasiaticlion.blogspot.com/ (accessed: 23.04.09)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Prd8gyw8Qe0 (accessed: 23.04.09)
http://sites.google.com/site/girforestguide/Home (accessed: 23.04.09)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB-8Grn6sRo (accessed: 23.04.09) http://bbc.co.uk/bigcat (accessed: 23.04.09)
PfA, Bangalore, '02-'04.
when i had a keen discussion with one of the ace photographer on one of the photography competition, when we selected this and the gulmohor , we had a debate like this.
ReplyDeletethat legend told me that there is no harmoney between these lion and lioness and that photgraph cannot be ....