Other Mammals at Africa Alive!

 

AFRICAN LION

Panthera leo

Lions live in prides of 15 individuals or more and can be found across Africa. A small number of Asiatic lions can be found in the Gir Forest in Asia. Lions hunt co-operatively with other pride members to maximise success. They ambush their prey, attacking with a short charge at speeds of up to 37 miles per hour (60kmph).

The lion will either jump onto the back of its prey, biting the neck or it will strike from the ground, grasping the throat. Prey species include zebra, wildebeest, warthog and antelope. Adult male lions are easily distinguished from females by the mane of long hair around the neck area. As well as a visual sign to other lions, the mane also gives some protection during fights with other male lions.

A lioness will give birth to between three and five cubs and they will be cared for by the mother and other lionesses in the pride. A young lion can be distinguished by the conspicuous markings along its sides known as 'puppy markings' but these gradually fade as the cub gets older. These markings provide some camouflage for the cubs from predators. A cub will not accompany its parents on hunting expeditions until it is an adolescent or older.

Conservation:

The majestic lion was once widely distributed in Africa and some parts of Asia. Today, as a result of habitat loss to livestock farming, conflict with farmers and unsustainable hunting, the lion is secure only in the wildlife reserves of Africa and in the Gir Forest of Western India and its conservation status is now "Vulnerable". Outside these areas it is still persecuted by man.

Africa Alive! is currently supporting the conservation project: Living with Lions.

CHEETAH

Acinonyx jubatus

The entire physique of the cheetah is designed for speed. It has thinner, lighter bones than other big cats which reduces its body weight so it can run faster. They have very long legs, flexible shoulders and a super flexible spine that bends easily. All these factors combine to give the cheetah an amazing stride length of 10m (30 feet) when it's running flat out. Even their tail helps them chase prey by acting as a counter balance when they make tight turns, preventing them from falling over.

A female cheetah gives birth to an average of four cubs and her choice of lair is probably the most critical decision she makes, as it will affect the likelihood of her cub's survival. The lair must provide shelter from the sun and rain, and conceal the cubs from predators; it also needs to be near the cheetah's hunting ground.

Conservation:

Cheetahs are a vulnerable species for a number of reasons. They are still hunted for their beautiful hide and it may sound surprising for a big cat, but cheetahs are prey themselves and only 5% of cheetahs that are born reach independence, mainly as a result of lion predation. However, the main problem today is loss and fragmentation of habitat for farming and persecution by farmers who blame the cheetah for killing their livestock.

Other Mammals at the Park

Aardvark	Domestic Buffalo	Sitatunga
Addax	Fennec Fox	Slender-tailed Meerkat
Ankole Cattle	Fossa	Somali Black-headed Sheep
Barbary Sheep	Giraffe	Somali Wild Ass
Bat-eared Fox	Kafue Flats Lechwe	Spiny Mice
Blesbok	Lowland Nyala	Straw-coloured Fruit Bat
Bongo	Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat	Striped Grass Mice
Cameroon Sheep	Nile Lechwe	Striped Hyaena
Chapman's Zebra	Oriental Short-clawed Otter	White Rhinoceros
Congo Buffalo	Rat	Yellow Mongoose
Crested Porcupine	Serval