News from LIONSROCK: lions Saba & Seeta and a trio of hyenas
With plenty of new arrivals in spring and early summer, there is plenty of work to do at FOUR PAWS big cats sanctuary LIONSROCK. Lion cub Saba and two-year-old lioness Seeta had recently come in from Jordan after having been saved by the Princess Alia Foundation – but the team also has to look after a pack of hyenas: the first of their kind at the lion domain. While individual measures are taken for each group, all new arrivals are doing fine: Saba and Seeta will soon be socialised with suitable packs that are already at home at LIONSROCK. For both of them, a healthy social life is the key to a happy existence.
The most unusual group of newbies at the South African sanctuary is a threesome of hyenas that was rescued in Jordan from unacceptable keeping conditions. They have settled in immediately without problems, in an area of their own, which is supplied with enrichment tools and two little huts that allow them to retreat. It is easy to observe, however, that two of the hyenas are dominant while the third one appears to be ranking lower in the pack. His keeping distance to the other pair caused some concern among FOUR PAWS observers, but as the days passed, the initial tension gradually faded. The “outsider” clearly felt more comfortable, resting on top of his hut while the others delivered no sign of hostility towards him. All three hyenas are eating well and show little interest in the unknown sounds and movements at the sanctuary. They are a small but healthy pack that will enjoy the life years gained at LIONSROCK.
Saba: king of the red ball
 After his lucky rescue, Saba continued to behave like a truly brave cub. He is watching the other young lions from his safehouse, calling them and interacting confidently, while still showing the submissive behaviour that is typical for a youth. In order to make his integration into the other Jordan pack as uncomplicated as possible, he was let out into the area on his own – the others were kept in the safehouse in return. Saba explored the new environment with joy and ease and seemingly felt at home at once. He discovered a ball that had been left there for him and played it with unprecedented intensity. Soon he and the rest of the Jordan group will live in the same enclosure together. FOUR PAWS experts on site have no doubt the young big cats will get along perfectly.
Seeta: taking her time
 Lioness Seeta has been a more difficult patient at first. While she endured the air transfer with patience and grace, she seemed to cling to her hut as if it was a souvenir from home. But two immediate measures did the trick to break the ice: waiting – Seeta already grew more confident of her surroundings after a few days, started to leave her hut und was relaxing on top of it; and food: moving her meals a bit further away from her hut every day made her accept longer distances. This process is not unusual, particularly with lions that arrive at LIONSROCK alone. A little bit later, Seeta was spotted roaming the higher platforms of her enclosure – a safe sign that a lion is fully settling in at its new home.
19.08.2010
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