The Rhino and Lion Game Reserve

Last Sunday the three of us went to the Rhino and Lion Game Reserve about 45 minutes outside Jo'burg.  It is a private game reserve that specializes in (you guessed it) rhinos and lions.  There is an animal creche where you can pet the white lion and Bengal tiger cubs.  Of course we had to do that and I could have stayed all day playing with these adorable babies.  Tigers are not native to Africa so it was a great thrill to see them.  White lions are white due to a rare genetic disorder.  Because they are white, they are very easy to spot in the wild which makes them much more exposed to predators.  The cubs we played with will eventually be released into the reserve to roam once they are too big or too aggressive to be around humans.  The animal handler told us that whether in captivity or in the wild, big cats eat only once or twice a week and sleep up to 18 hours per day.  I see where our cat Mobius gets his sleeping habits. Unfortunately he eats non-stop. Thankfully I don't have to bring home carcasses for him.

Because the cats have been raised by humans they are quite tame and cannot hunt on their own.  They are fed by the park employees.  In the adult lion habitat dead horses or cows are brought in several times a week to be fed to the lions.  We were there for a feeding and it was incredible to watch the lion pride slowly make its way down from the hills to the feeding area as feeding time approached.  Eventually the flat bed truck with the animal carcass began making its way down the hill.  The lions started running along beside the truck.  All three of us were discussing which employee had the lucky job of pushing the carcass out of the truck for the lions to feed. That issue was quickly settled when the lions just jumped on the still-moving truck and dragged the carcass off to begin feeding.  As the two head males ate, the one younger male and the 3 females waited somewhat impatiently for their turn.  They began to creep slowly closer.  When they got too close, the older males made it clear it wasn't time for them to eat yet.  The message was sent with some loud roaring and a few swipes of some huge paws. I am a little sad that the lions do not get to hunt for themselves but the park is huge and well maintained and the animals all appeared well-taken care of and content. 

A lion and his lioness relaxing in the sun

Waiting for the food to be delivered

The food truck arrives.
The land is black from a recent brush fire.
This is common here in the dry season and we
see several brush fires a night sometimes.

The park is also known for its work with rhinos.
Mother and her baby rhino.

A rescued baby rhino whose parents were killed by poachers
in Kruger Park, SA. The baby was brought here to keep safe.

Warthogs have been re-introduced to the highveld by this game reserve.