“When I Grow Up”
A pencil drawing of
a lioness and cub, (Panthera leo).
Lionesses keep their cubs in a secluded den for the first 6 to
8 weeks of age after which they introduce them to the rest of
the pride. During this initial period, the mother will move her
cubs several times in order to reduce the risk of the den site
being discovered by other predators. We were fortunate enough
to be at the den site when this lioness decided it was time to
move her three-week-old offspring, all of whom instinctively remain
still in their mother’s jaws, even if their expressions
suggest they are not entirely comfortable.
Mombo, Botswana.
April 2002.
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