Himanshu Kaushik, TNN Dec 26, 2011, 03.32AM IST
AHMEDABAD: A four-year-old lioness sits alone staring at her brother
who is being chased out of the group by her father. The foresters cannot
but marvel at the human reaction of this young lioness to the domestic
squabble. She stops eating till her brother returns back to the pride.
Not
just the sister, but the other sub-adults too move away from the group
and refuse food unless he returns. But soon they will realize the hard
fact that the young lion has to move out of the pride and establish his
own kingdom, say the officials.
This unique behavioral pattern has been spotted in a huge pride of 32
lions, the biggest in Gir sanctuary. The foresters who keep a watch and
document the behaviour of these big cats are surprised by the nuances
of inter-personal relationships and bonding displayed by these Gir
lions.
Deputy conservator of forest, Sandeep Kumar who is
documenting the behaviour of this group said, "It is time for the young
ones to move out of the group and have own territory in the next couple
of months. The sub-adult male now has to prove his supremacy before the
next breeding season, which begins in February."
However the
sub-adult male, who is very attached to the parent group, does not
venture out much. But the father and uncle are adamant that he
establishes his own territory.
Kumar said, "When the father and
uncle chase away this sub-adult, his sister of the same age too runs
away from the group in protest, as she gets emotional. She sits away
from the group for hours together staring in the direction where her
brother has gone."
This is one of the biggest prides in the Gir
sanctuary or even in the state. The pride comprises of seven sub groups
covering an area of 135 sq km. This pride is often spotted in the
tourism zone and is commonly known as Dedakadi group. Dedakadi is an
area in Gir Sanctuary.
The pride of 32 consists of two male lions,
about 13-14 years of age and who dominate the group, nine adult female
and ten sub-adult female and 11 cubs of less then three years of age.
The two lions have not allowed any intruder in their territory for the
past seven years. This 135 sq km area comprises of Malanka, Kasia and
Keramba.
Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-26/ahmedabad/30558726_1_gir-sanctuary-gir-lions-tourism-zone
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