EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Ready to Pounce!

Lion (Panthera leo)
Masai Mara, Kenya, Africa

Explanation:  It is dusk on the Masai Mara grasslands of southern Kenya in east Africa.  You are outside the vehicle -- not a good idea to start with -- observing zebras in the distance.  

Suddenly there is the subtlest rustle of the grass ... and a hungry lion is staring you in the face just yards away, about to take one single, fatal leap.  

Quick!  What do you do?  

These African lions can grow to over 6 feet (2 meters) long and males can weigh up to 420 pounds (190 kg), or more!  They can attack with amazing speed, and usually hunt in prides.  

So what do you do?  

The best response is to not run, which would only trigger their chase behavior for sure.  It is also best to not try to stare it down; they do not intimidate easily.  The best response (as with other large cats) is to back up, slowly but surely, facing the cat but not intimidating it.  But if charged, you must fend it off best you can with sticks, fists, or rocks.

The best defense, though, is not to get into that situation in the first place!