I really felt bad for this poor old boy. He was without a pride and trapped between the territories of two other prides. Apparently, he gets beat up a lot when he wanders too far north or south and into those other territories. Luckily, he did have a wildebeest kill when we came across him and he spent a couple of days near our camp feeding upon it. In this photo, he was letting out a big yawn before heading back to the kill. He was the only lion that we saw on the short Botswana trip. Nikon D700 with Nikkor 70-200mm lens (at 200mm) ISO 3200, f/2.8 at 1/100th of a second
I don’t think this male lion is all that old. He lacks the mane color and size of an older male – also no dark fur on his elbows. Sad, that a cat this young is missing one of his important teeth and is by himself. Definitely a rough place to be in lion society.
Not likely any where near that old. On my recent trip to South Africa, I got several shots of a large male that was known to be seven years old and his mane was nearly twice the size of the one shown, and much darker, and the lion had large dark hair patches on it’s elbows. Based on the many males we saw on this and other trips, I’d guess this one is more like around four, perhaps five. Also, I have a few big yawn shots and the length of the teeth in this one doesn’t compare to those from older lions, including the seven year old we spent a lot of time with (he was being amorous with a female in his pride.
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Oh my goodness, it looks like he has broken a few teeth along the way. Must be tough being a carnivore and missing that important incisor.
Awww that was the first thing I thought too Mama Crane.
Feel bad for this guy!
I don’t think this male lion is all that old. He lacks the mane color and size of an older male – also no dark fur on his elbows. Sad, that a cat this young is missing one of his important teeth and is by himself. Definitely a rough place to be in lion society.
great pic, looks like is about ten years ld, because he has live such harsh life, and beign so lonely, wi;ll make age much quicker.
Not likely any where near that old. On my recent trip to South Africa, I got several shots of a large male that was known to be seven years old and his mane was nearly twice the size of the one shown, and much darker, and the lion had large dark hair patches on it’s elbows. Based on the many males we saw on this and other trips, I’d guess this one is more like around four, perhaps five. Also, I have a few big yawn shots and the length of the teeth in this one doesn’t compare to those from older lions, including the seven year old we spent a lot of time with (he was being amorous with a female in his pride.