Several days ago, a 1-year-old lion cub named Loeku was separated from his mother and the rest of the pride in Samburu National Reserve.
Tourism vehicles in the park overcrowded and disturbed the lions, causing the mother to split from the cub as they moved in different directions. Our field teams spent days searching for the lions. Shivani and Letoiye stayed with Loeku whilst Jeneria and Lpuresi searched for Nanai, Nabulu and the rest of the cubs. They found them over 10 kilometres away from Loeku.
The 1-year-old cub Loeku was separated from his pride when a safari vehicle got too close.
We were concerned that the lions were too far apart to find one another. We called for support from the rangers in Samburu National Reserve and our Lion Watch guides. Everyone helped in keeping an eye on Loeku and ensuring no other vehicles disturbed him again.
Loeku searches for his pride. He spent four nights alone, which is a risky time for a cub this young.
Loeku spent four nights alone, often calling out for his mother. On the fifth morning, we could not find him and we became increasingly concerned for his safety. We searched for 12 long hours. What gave us hope were tracks showing that one female most likely had returned to pick up the cub.
Our hopes were confirmed when Jeneria found all 7 lions together! Nanai or Nabulu had walked alone to locate Loeku, found him, and took him back to the rest of the pride.
Loeku reunited with his mother and pride.
The lions back together.
Since then, the females have killed warthogs for their cubs and Loeku remains close to his mother, Nanai.
We thank the rangers and wardens of Samburu National Reserve for their support, plus the tour guides in the park who all united to ensure that Loeku reunited with his mother and the rest of the pride. Ewaso Lions will continue to work with Reserve management and local tour operators to ensure good safari etiquette to avoid disturbances to lions such as this in the future.
The lions fed on a warthog.
Loeku.