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Would You Hold PAWS with a LION?!

Brave Wilderness・16 minutes read

A crew in South Africa's Kariega Game Reserve tracks and tranquilizes lions for biometric data collection, showcasing the animals' unique features and behaviors. The crew's work includes observing the lions' size, claws, teeth, and distinctive mane, providing valuable insights into their health and behavior.

Insights

  • Tracking lions on foot in the Kariega Game Reserve can be a lengthy and challenging process, sometimes taking days or weeks to locate the pride.
  • The detailed biometric data collection process on tranquilized lions includes measurements, hair sampling, and microchip insertion, resembling a routine check-up to ensure the pride's health and well-being.

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Recent questions

  • How do field veterinarians assist in lion research?

    Field veterinarians join the crew to tranquilize lions for biometric data collection, ensuring the pride's health. They play a crucial role in monitoring the lions' well-being and providing necessary medical care when needed.

  • What are the signs used to track lions in the reserve?

    Fresh lion tracks near water are reliable signs for tracking and locating the animals. Additionally, evidence of lion kills, like a wildebeest skull and zebra leg, indicates the presence of the pride in the area.

  • What is the purpose of collecting biometric data from lions?

    Biometric data collection includes hair sampling, body measurements, and microchip identification, similar to a routine check-up for the lions. This data helps researchers monitor the health, behavior, and movements of the lion population in the reserve.

  • How do lions use their mane and claws in the wild?

    The male lion's mane serves a protective purpose during territorial fights, while its claws are crucial for hunting and securing prey. Lions use their claws to grip and bring down prey, showcasing their strength and hunting abilities in the wild.

  • What are the unique features of a lion's teeth?

    A lion's teeth include incisors for carrying and pulling meat, canines for killing, and premolars for sawing meat. Their teeth are specialized for tearing flesh and consuming meat, essential for their carnivorous diet in the wild.

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Summary

00:00

Tracking and Tranquilizing Lions in South Africa

  • The journey begins in South Africa at the Kariega Game Reserve, spanning over 10,000 hectares of stunning landscape.
  • Tracking down a pride of lions on foot is a challenging task that can take days or even weeks.
  • A team of field veterinarians joins the crew to tranquilize a male lion for biometric data collection, ensuring the pride's health.
  • Lions in the reserve are constantly on the move, making it difficult to locate them for observation.
  • Evidence of lion kills, like a wildebeest skull and zebra leg, indicates the presence of the pride in the area.
  • Fresh lion tracks near water are a reliable sign for tracking and locating the animals.
  • The crew locates the lions on a fresh kill and successfully tranquilizes a male and two females for data collection.
  • Biometric data collection includes hair sampling, body measurements, and microchip identification, similar to a routine check-up for the lions.
  • The crew gets up-close with the tranquilized lions, showcasing their size, claws, and unique features like mane and ears.
  • The male lion's mane serves a protective purpose during territorial fights, and its claws are crucial for hunting and securing prey.

14:15

Lion's Teeth, Tongue, and Biometric Data

  • The lion's teeth include incisors for carrying and pulling meat, canines for killing, and premolars for sawing meat.
  • The lion's tongue is grippy like sandpaper, capable of stripping skin off and licking meat from bones.
  • Lions have exceptional eyesight both during the day and at night.
  • The lion being observed is a sub-adult weighing between 250 and 300 pounds, with adults reaching over 500 pounds.
  • Biometric data is collected, including measurements of the lion's paw for tracking purposes.
  • A microchip is inserted between the lion's shoulder blades for future identification and data collection.
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