Stop that roving eye! Lioness gives her man a good talking to
Words: Jack Fletcher
Pictures: Lee Whittam / Barcroft Media
This fierce lioness gets her claw into her mate in a jealous rage,
after she spots his roving eye.
In one of the most fearsome of domestics, the female lashes out as she
tries to stop the head of the pride cavorting with a stray lioness.
Full set of pictures and story:
Photographer and safari guide Lee Whittam followed the aggressive
encounter Okavango Delta, Botswana, for half an hour.
He captured one eye-wincing moment when the lioness’ claw pierces the
male’s tongue.
Male lions are not known for monogamy but Lee has never before
witnessed such an angry reaction from a female.
“I have never seen such a vicious attack by a lioness in order to try
to stop a male accessing another cat,” said the 30-year-old.
“Such intensity is reserved for protecting her cubs from a particular
male.
“The lioness was trying to stop the resident male from crossing into
an area where a neighbouring female was calling from.
“I followed the lions for about half an hour when this incident
occurred.”
Described as “the jewel” of the Kalahari, the Okavango Delta is a
widely considered one of Africa’s best safari destinations.
Encompassing deserts, rivers and lakes, the delta is teeming with
lions, elephants, hyenas, wild dog, buffalo, hippo and crocodiles to
name but a few.
On this occasion however, the lioness’ attempts to contain her mate
failed and the pride male proceeded to follow the tempting call of the
other woman.
“The female tried desperately to stop the male, but ultimately he
succeeded in crossing a channel of water and meeting up with the other
female that was calling him,” said Lee.
“When photographing a scene like this you need to be able to position
yourself in such a way that you don’t interfere with the animals’
natural behaviour.
“You can still get the correct angles for the shots. It boils down to
predicting the animals behaviour as best as you can and setting
yourself up correctly.
“It was clear that the female that called to the male was in season
and they started the pre-mating sequence.
“This is where the female flirts with the male and then repels his
advances.
“This can go on for several hours or several days and is basically the
way the female tests if the male is really interested in her, and has
the stamina to keep up with her and if so she will allow him to mate
with her.
“This way she ensures he is fit and healthy which will mean he is
genetically a good father.”
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