Pride male Lomunyak in constant search for Narika
This is Eric reporting from the field after the sad death of lioness Narika:
In what has truly broken my heart, Lomunyak the proud male lion of Narika’s small pride and father of her cubs has been tirelessly looking for her after she was killed. Lomunyak’s tracks have been found practically all over his territory, revealing a strong message. Ever since Narika was killed, Lomunyak has been combing every corner of his expansive home range in search of her. When he saw us in our car, he seemed to be asking a big question, impossible to answer. Where is Narika? This is because he was roaring in broad daylight, which is very rare for the lions in this area.
If Lomunyak could understand the human language, I could have told him the brutal truth. I could have told him that his friend Narika is there no more. She was exterminated by the greatest threat to lions, the Maasai spear.
But because Lomunyak can’t understand me, he is deeply troubled by the unexplained absence of one of his pride members, and he fills my heart with emotions. My worry is that this search might take him closer to human settlements, a potential disaster, and we are doing our best to make sure this does not happen. There have been no reported sightings of Narika’s cubs so far…
the poor orphans could have been eaten by those forever hungry hyneas. and we all know they consume every thing including bones!
and the so called animal experts claim cats like lions have no emotions or feelings for one and other; and only highly intelligent ones like elephants and apes do. From Derek and Beverly Joubert’s book, i have learned that lions do form strong and lasting bonds with their brothers and sisters. Therefore, when the two brothers was killed ( murdered) by trophy hunter, the sole survivor roared for days in search of his flesh and blood.
This is terribly sad, poor Lomunyak. I do hope you are successful in keeping him away from the human settlements and that the cubs are being looked after by their aunts in the pride.
How to imagine cubs have survived ? Eric and Antony, can you tell us if Narika was with the pride with her cubs before to have been killed. I really think it was so early for her to join the family with cubs less than one month. But why not…
Sorry for Lomunyak. He understands there is something wrong and we also wish he won’t get problem.
Thank you for your work.
It’s a real heartbreakink ! It brought tears in my eyes every time I’m reading your reports… Poor Lamunyak ! He was deeply attached to his girl ! and he’s searching, searching for her ! LOVE PURE LOVE ! Thank’s so much for the hard and great work you’re doing.
RIP Narika this is such sad news I do hope Lomunyak will stay safe and the cubs get a chance to grow up thank you for everything you do
This a very worrying trend for the lions populations.
It would be good to hear from you soon. Hope all is well with the Lion Guardians.
It is heartbreaking to think of Lomunyak searching the scrub for one of his companions, but we shouldn’t begrudge the hyena for trying to feed herself or provide for her family. A good quote to remember comes from one of the greatest lion films of all,
“Everything you see, exists together, in a delicate balance…you need to understand that balance, and respect all creatures, from the crawling ant, to the leaping antelope…”
Frustrating and painful as it is, we must try not to scorn or hate or play favoritism, but understand everything’s significance.
la commovente storia dei coniugi adamson mi ha spinto ha interessarmi alla vostra causa, fauna a rischio di estinzione.Ho letto la dolorosa storia della leonessa Narika e dei suoi tre cuccioli.Come anche a voi immagino, la cosa mi addorlorato molto speravo di leggere di un soccorso per salvare almeno quei tre cuccioli rimasti orfani come faceva un tempo adamson. So che voi lion guardians stste facendo tutto quel che potete ma perche i cuccioli rimasti orfani non vengono assistiti?