Demography. We hope this has been useful in understanding what lions eat on a daily basis. The entrance gates are the Anderson Gate in the south, the Von Lindequist Gate in the east, the King Nehale Gate in the north and the Galton Gate in the west. I watch them slowly make their way towards water in the afternoon and, as they get close, see the other animals drinking suddenly rush away. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. We give you a run down of what you might expect depending on the season. They can reach over 7 feet tall and an up-close sight will show you that they are actually bigger in real life and photos do not do them justice. Top 10 Fastest Animals on the Planet and Their Speeds. You can also access Dolomite from the Galton Gate which is located in the western border of park. This endless white expanse is an unlikely venue for awildlife sanctuary. When hunting in groups, lions plan very strategically and take positions rather like the pieces in chess would line up for a checkmate move. PhD Thesis, University of Graz, Austria, Trinkel M (2009) A keystone predator at risk? The elephant information centre bears testament to its history as an elephant abattoir during the 1980s, when elephants were culled by managers concerned about the destruction of biodiversity. This is the busiest of all the camps, both in terms of functioning as the administrative centre of the park, as well as attracting the most visitors. Without even needing to go one metre in a safari jeep, you can see all the highlights of Etosha National park and spend hours in the evening watching it all play out. In the face of global lion population declines, Etosha's lions represent an important population for the species. The feeding ecology of the spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta was studied in the central and eastern part of the Etosha National Park, Namibia. The main prey of Etosha hyenas are migratory herbivores such as springbok, zebra, and wildebeest. Animals like cheetahs and hyenas are known for stealing and eating lion cubs if and when the opportunity arises. The parks eastern side is dominated by the enormous Etosha Pan, while dolomite hills are the main geographical feature of the western half of the park. Soon after, the lioness will follow. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-009-0669-3, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11284-009-0669-3. Etoshas 35 raptors feast in dry conditions. Cheetahs: cheetahs just like the leopards are rarely seen but if you want to try your luck, the best place to see them is in the western part of the National Park. I really envy you. But it's also the daily action that puts their survival most at risk. And then there are the other animals we spot along the way. As a result, remarkable sightings at the waters edge are inevitable. This is exactly what makes them carnivores. Here thickset Moringa trees (Moringa ovalifolia), usually found on rocky hillsides, dot the landscape and their strange bulbous shapes in the otherwise barren scenery create a dreamlike and surreal atmosphere. Lions: the lions in Etosha and the whole of southern Africa are known to be in perfect health since they are not infected with the FIV which affects most African lions. African elephant: Etosha National Park is home to large herds of elephants which can easily be seen at the different waterholes around the National Park, especially during the dry season. The scene is not uncommon in Etosha, where the cycle of life, death, and birth has played out longer than any human can remember. After good rains the salt pan fills with water attracting a cloud of flamingos. Differences in prey selection and preferences were also reflected in differences in hunting group sizes. Collaring every lion in every pride would be highly costly and logistically impossible. The Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve shares a 50km unfenced border with Kruger National Park and offers the best wildlife viewing in South Africa. J Zool (Lond) 242:115, Hner OP, Wachter B, East ML, Hofer H (2002) The response of spotted hyaenas to long-term changes in prey populations: functional response and interspecific kleptoparasitism. The summers are ideal for birding in Etosha National Park. In many ways then, the two seasonal experiences shouldnt be compared. Watching all of this play out during my time at Namibias Etosha National Park Well, its the most fascinating part of the whole experience and comes to define my understanding of Namibias wildlife. Michael Turtle is the founder of Time Travel Turtle and has been travelling full time for a decade. The downside of all this is that the appeal of the wildlife sightings in winter brings with it a considerably higher number of tourists; many of the camps and lodges fill up weeks or months in advance during winter, especially during the school holidays. The camp is situated on the edge of Etosha Pan itself, and there are no campsites or self-catered accommodation options. The Etosha Pan provides a breeding ground for the flamingos one of only two areas in the entire Southern Africa region to do so. Situated in northern Namibia, Etosha National Park is a fenced reserve that is one of the countrys most popular safari destinations, with the stark otherworldly scenery and spectacular wildlife viewing being the parks two major drawcards. Bateleur, tawny eagle and martial eagle float in the upwinds. We believeecosystem-focused, evidence-based strategies are the keyto solving conservation problems. The park has four entrance points and is open all year, from sunrise to sunset. The first and most obvious reason is that there is not really any thick foliage here. Available for both RF and RM licensing. 2022 Etoshanationalpark.org| All Rights Reserved |. As you travel further north in Namibia towards Etosha National Park, you will find a place that offers visitors a complete contrast of wide open grasslands, a massive pan that covers 4731km and large camel thorn trees mixed with Mopani trees. Goshawks sit in the branches and eight species of owl can be spotted after sunset. Every day is an adventure. The larger waterholes see large treks of zebra and springbok mingle with Oryx and bathing elephants. Onkoshi Camp along with Dolomite Camp, Onkoshi is the second of Etoshas more luxurious accommodation options and is entirely solar-powered. Many keen photographers visit the park looking to enhance their skills and photo- library. When the rains gather in the pan you can see flamingos and storks wading through the shallow water. The giraffes will walk for a short time then stop still and spend several minutes looking around, surveying the area for movement. Chapman & Hall, London, Pienaar U (1969) Predator prey relationships among the larger mammals of the Kruger National Park. We see all of the main ones. Zambia. Hyenas: Hyenas in Etosha are extremely rare and you might not see these species just one at a time throughout your stay in the National Park. By the late 19th century, the regions large mammal species, including elephant, rhino and lion had been all but exterminated. A Certified Ecologist and an Entomologist, Michael has been interested in all aspects of Nature for many years. The desiccated and bleached soils of the pan are dry for most, if not all, of the year. And this is what makes them so vulnerable. This time of year means life in the park for new born animals as well as birdlife. Get Lion stalking his prey at Etosha National Park, Namibia photos and images from Picfair. Can J Zool 87:928935, Trinkel M, Kastberger G (2005) Competitive interactions between spotted hyenas and lions in the Etosha National Park, Namibia. The area around Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is one of the last remaining strongholds for wild lions in the world. The chances of spotting the elephants are high and the best place to see them is at the Olifantsbad where they cool off in the mud. Carefully selected conservation projects one-stop, seamless, transparent donations APP subscribers only. Every day, the animals here on the dry savannah of Namibia have to make the journey to a waterhole in order to survive. . There are two near-endemic antelope the black-faced impala (a subspecies) and the minuscule Damara dik-dik with its piercing whistle alarm not to mention an assortment of other antelope species. You will be able to see these at almost every waterhole you go to and they normally hunt in the Namutoni woodlands. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative, Over 10 million scientific documents at your fingertips, Not logged in Your email address will not be published. But in real terms, lions do not have the ability to digest any vegetation. The Etoshalandscapecovers 22,000 square kilometersof protected area inside Etosha NationalPark (shown in green )and almost 18,000 square kilometersof surrounding farmland and conservation areas(shown in yellow). The various accommodation options in Etosha National Park are well equipped with restaurants, shops, curios, swimming pools and petrol stations. The avian residents of the park make up an eclectic mix that ranges from flamingos to the colourful lilac-breasted roller and eagles soaring high above. What do lions predate on? Howard Russell Andrew liked this on Facebook. Further reading: Exploring Etosha and Etosha Through My Eyes. Dolomite Camp located in the western half of the park, this is an unfenced camp with chalets dotted in the rocks of the dolomite hills. It is also well worth investigating the etymology of the waterhole names, which provide a fascinating insight into the areas history. The plains are covered by large herds of springbok and zebra. During this time, lions tend to look for and eat small prey like: Although they eat pretty much anything they can prey on, lions mostly hunt down animals that have a mass of 50 to 300 kg. Images $0.00; Payment processing $0.00; Total $0.00 (Including $0.00 in VAT) Checkout. The park is a wasteland of white dust which comes from the clay in the pan. The alternating dry and winter months that are experienced in Etosha National Park throughout the year have enabled tourists to view the different animal species that are found in the Park. The warthogs are a common sight as you drive to the National Park on the roadside but surprisingly when you get to the National Park, they are a rare sight. We are never far away from animals and as we drive between waterholes, stopping when we spot something, or just cruising slowly among the plains, there is so much to see in this vibrant animal kingdom where an ecosystem is playing out before our eyes. For example, Natukanaoka Pan translates roughly as you need to take long strides to walk here, or Gobaub which comes from the Hai//om word for a loincloth, supposedly after a man who lost his while beating a hasty retreat from an angry elephant. S Afr J Bot 54:110, Mills MGL (1994) Kalahari hyenas: the comparative behavioural ecology of two species. Zebra and gemsbok were taken in proportion to their abundance, whereas wildebeest and springbok seemed to be rather avoided. Networking & debating APP subscribers only, TRUSTED CONSERVATION PROJECTS The word Etosha is said to have originated from the Ndonga word for great white place, an accurate description of the chalky and desolate landscape. J Zool (Lond). Afr J Ecol 29:6475, Hayward MW (2006) Prey preferences of the spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) and degree of dietary overlap with the lion (Panthera leo). editors@africageographic.com J Zool (Lond) 270:606614, Hayward MW, Kerley GIH (2005) Prey preferences of the lion (Panthera leo). Etosha National Park is home to four of the Big 5. But this bullying game doesnt always work with animals like Hyenas. This site is owned and operated by Michael Chamberlain. During this time, lions tend to look for and eat small prey like: Tortoises Lizards Hares Lizards Snakes Mice Birds Although they eat pretty much anything they can prey on, lions mostly hunt down animals that have a mass of 50 to 300 kg. Driving during the rainy season can get a lot trickier as roads can be flooded and having an equipped vehicle will make the journey a lot more enjoyable. Namibia is a very diverse country with an array of habitats and vegetation. The difference between these two Zebras is distinguished by the stripes and coats. The Austrian Academy of Science, the Vienna Zoo, the Namibian Nature Foundation and the University of Graz are thanked for financial support. Giraffes: chances of seeing giraffes in Etosha are extremely high and these can be seen all year round in all seasons. Falco lanarius Linnaeus, 1758. Yet is the black rhino that truly steals the show in Etosha. It means that each species that comes down for a drink has its own defence measures to reduce the chance of becoming dinner for the lions. According to their mythology, there was once a small village at the centre of the pan that was raided by a rival tribe. It is hardly a secret that Etoshas best game viewing is at the many waterholes scattered throughout the park. No camping is allowed. I wish I could do the same. Camera trap images can be even more useful than satellite data to study behavior, pride interactions andprey preference. Lions can, and do in fact hunt alone, but hunting with their group (called a pride) hunting becomes far easier. These live in groups and can be seen sleeping wherever they can find shade when they are not hunting for prey. Although its a false alarm, they take no chances when their lives are at stake. They can be found at Ombika near the springbokfontein. The giraffes are the most cautious of them all. When they want to drink, they just go and drink! Subscribe to the Ranger Planet YouTube Channel.Or click the about Us button below to learn more about the guys behind Ranger Planet. And the strange-looking wildebeests that many claim are ugly but I think are just misunderstood. All Rights Reserved. If a cheetah is after you-both prey and pray. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The elephants are the complete opposite. Regardless, Etosha National Park is guaranteed to furnish her fortunate visitors with something spectacular from prime wildlife viewing, to entirely unexpected animal behaviour or, just simply, an insight into Africas inimitable seasons and how life adapts. Now weve seen the quick list of the larger animals, lets dive a little deeper into the individual animals themselves and why lions will hunt them, then move on to the smaller animals. This archaic beast is endangered and the waterholes are probably among the best places in the world to see this precious animal. The Etosha National Park experience is unlike any other safari experience in the world nothing quite compares to the vast abundance of animals of every shape and size, gathered together in one place at one time. So, hunting as a group within a pride makes lion hunting easier. Koedoe 12:108176, Sillero-Zubiri C, Gottelli D (1992) Feeding ecology of spotted hyaenas (Mammalia: Crocuta crocuta) in a mountain forest habitat. When comparing the meal of a lion (male) based on that of your average-sized house cat, its the equivalent of 70 cans of cat food. 2004, Trinkel & Kastberger 2008. app@africageographic.com Most of these birds assemble in great numbers at the Etosha Pan for a little refreshment when the pan becomes filled with water during the summer season, which extends over the months between November and April. An apex predator takes up the highest rank in a food web, which makes them the famous animal that we call The king of the jungle. It is a wildlife preserve without peer, one of the world's last Edens and a crucial sanctuary for. Waterholes are extremely essential for game viewing during the dry season since many animal species converge around the different waterholes when the heat becomes unbearable. The reserves offer an exclusive experience with luxury accommodation, great service and . In fact, lions in the wild, especially during autumn and winter get more than half of their food through scavenging. Pretoria: University of Pretoria, South Africa, Trinkel M (2003) Population ecology of the spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta in the Etosha National Park, Namibia. Covering a whopping 20,000 square km, Etosha National Park is home to 4 of the big 5 including the endangered black rhino, 114 species of mammals and 340 species of birds. The park is home to 114 species of mammals. The Fort was constructed in 1897 as a German military outpost to help control the spread of. Home to savannah animals and desert specialists, Etosha is where elephant, giraffe and zebra mix with springbok, black rhino and the scimitar-horned gemsbok antelope. Windhoek. The area around Etosha National Park in northern Namibia is one of the last remaining strongholds for wild lions in the world. Original file (1,600 1,200 pixels, file size: 678 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) (US) +1 (786) 655-4040, *Call costs: Local rates apply from South Africa, UK and US otherwise international rates apply, newsletter@africageographic.com Much like wolves, theres a definite hierarchy to mealtimes. Technical report of scientific services, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Namibia, Kilian W, Kolberg H (2005) Aerial survey of Etosha National Park. To comment on this story: To protect you against trolls & misinformation, we only permit comments in our app. The large mammals in Etosha National Park include lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, cheetah, hyena, mountain and plains zebra, springbok, kudu, gemsbok and eland. And as you sit there relaxing (perhaps with a drink in the evening, if you like), you can watch as the animals all come in for their own drink. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Etosha offers that iconic image of Africa: a waterhole surrounded by animals, the very epitome of an oasis teeming with life beneath the merciless sun. We're working to analyze HLC risk factors for events around Etosha going back 40 years. - 149.28.116.35. The original human inhabitants of Etosha were the Hai//om Bushmen people, and they have their own legend as to the history of the pan. In winter, the waterholes offer a unique opportunity to sit and wait for your subjects to come to you. Behav Ecol 12(5):558568, Frank LG (1986) Social organisation of the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta).I. Your tour guide will be able to help you track and find the best place to see the cheetahs and it is better if you check them out in the evening hours. It goes without saying that a good lens (and a familiarity with camera settings) will do wonders to enhance the experience. Flat 20, Reynolds Neck, North Helenaville, FV77 8WS, Etosha National Park Accommodation, Hotels & Lodges, How to Plan a Self-Drive trip In Etosha National Park. The drier months which run from July to October leave the National Park completely dry and dusty and the only available water source is found at the waterholes. Aside from the Etosha Pan itself, many of the parks waterholes and smaller pans are also full to the brim with water and teeming with birdlife at this time of year, and are all good places to sit with binoculars and long lens at the ready. Perspective from the Namib Desert. Zebras: two species are found within Etosha National park and these are the Burchells zebra and Hartmanns zebra. This is because the digestive system of lions is created in a way to digest only meat and flesh. There are also no fields of tall grass so you can also easily see whats on the ground. This salt pan (among other factors) means there are not that many trees here and those that do exist are relatively isolated, so you can see for a long distance in front of you. Overall, while big game viewing might be less rewarding in summer, bird watching is a winner, and the green landscapes and abundance of water make for wonderful scenery throughout your time in the park. Lions have been known to eat their own cubs. The big five are a top tourist attraction in Africa and the animals that make up the big five include buffaloes, elephants, leopards, lions, and rhinos. The best time however to spot them is in the evening or late in the night since they are mainly nocturnal animals. HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF AFRICA GEOGRAPHIC: We're the Africa Geographic editorial team a diverse set of writers, editors, designers and social media natives, all united by our passion for this addictive continent. Thats not all, we humans are afraid of lions because of their sheer speed and power. The preferred prey species of spotted hyenas in central Etosha was springbok, whereas regarding the abundance of zebra and wildebeest, these two species were rather avoided. In contrast, the. The parks main characteristic is a salt pan so large it can be seen from space. The backdrop of the vast Etosha Panmakes game viewing in Etosha a unique experience. Hyenas are pack animals, they live in groups called clans, so when the number of hyenas is more than the lions could suitably scare away, the hyenas get to keep their food. White Rhinos: the white Rhino has just currently been reintroduced into Etosha National park from Kruger National Park in South Africa. And this is where another of Etosha National Parks characteristics comes in handy. We investigated how an ambush foraging snake, the northern death adder Acanthophis praelongus, responds to seasonal fluctuations in prey availability in its tropical environment. The best part about viewing the hartebeest is during the mating season when the male keeps on following the female red hartebeest until it is wooed. You can see the trail of them coming from far away, as they stir up the dust. CLICK: Read my full story about the trip here! In eastern Etosha, where spotted hyenas frequently hunted larger prey, hunting group sizes were significantly larger compared to those in the center of the park. : Planning a trip to Etosha but not sure when to visit? When taking a lions system, its body fails to produce all the amino acids the body needs for survival. Price excludes VAT (USA)Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout. When it comes to water in a lions diet, lions dont normally take on much water. And with scavenging, lions will happily look to steal food from other animals and even eat the leftovers they find. Hyenas mainly hunted migratory ungulates such as springbok Antidorcas marsupialis, zebra Equus burchelli, and blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus, but also resident species such as the greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros and gemsbok Oryx gazella. We're in the process of constructing our website andsocial media platforms so please bear with us for a bit. The three main camps ( Okaukuejo , Halali and Namutoni) offer various types of accommodation from camping to chalets overlooking floodlit waterholes. Now, only the Ekuma and Oshigambo Rivers feed the pan with seasonal water and in years of high rainfall, parts of the pan fill to a depth of around 10cm. For larger animals, lions often jump on the back of the animal, trying to bring them down to attack. We workwith local partnerstoconduct ecological research that can ultimately be translatedinto scientifically-informedconservation solutions. When covered in the white clay soils from around the waterholes, they look like giant grey ghosts, which only adds to their gravitas. The area and vegetation is very different to the south- eastern and eastern part of the park. But lions will usually predate a number of larger land-based animals that have a mass of 50-300 kg, such as. Lion Panthera leo Lioness stalking and chasing prey at Waterhole Etosha N P Namibia ID: AC040B (RM) Lion comes eye to eye with a Thomson gazelle. Find Lion Hunting Prey stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. Protecting lions also means protecting the habitats they live in and other species they live alongside. Less than 20,000 are lefttoday. Bushes along the road turn white as vehicles throw up dust and visitors who leave the park usually have a dusty aura around them! namibia. Anim Behav 34:15001509, Gasaway WC, Mossestad KT, Stander PE (1991) Food acquisition by spotted hyaenas in Etosha National Park, Namibia: predation versus scavenging. Ambushing or running quickly towards the prey will strategically direct the prey to run towards other directions where other lions of the pride may be positioned, or into brushland or scrub areas. In contrast, the prey species preferred by hyenas in eastern Etosha was kudu. Eating a cub from another territory is a way to stake the claim on the territory and the females, or at the very least helping reduce the numbers that may become a large, rival pride of lions. It means it takes a little while for them to get back to a position where they could run or fight back. The lake dried eventually, but the salt of her tears remained. After the hunt, the male lion is given the privilege of rank and will be the first to start the meal.