We thank Jade again for sending us news of the cubs, Yame & George. The pictures are wonderful and for those we thank Shaun Fessey and Luise Dittombee. I know that you all love the reports as much as I do. Over to Jade.
Hi Bev
I hope this finds you well. Its that time again, for a little update on the adventures of George and Yame.
The time has finally come for George’s trip to the vet. We will be taking him in tomorrow for new radiographs, and an MRI. Yame will be going with to keep him company as he will need to spend a few days there. These procedures will give us a good idea of what is going on with his bones now, and will light the way forward in terms of a treatment plan (to reverse the severe effects of poor diet when he was a young cub). Yame is in perfect health, and the consequences of poor diet that plague George seem to be non-existent in him now. As Im sure you can see from their pictures, Yame is much bigger, and more muscular than George. It continues to be a balancing act with George, and the amount of physical activity we do with him. A little is good to build muscle which can support the bones, etc… but too much and he starts to hurt a little.
I hope this finds you well. Its that time again, for a little update on the adventures of George and Yame.
The time has finally come for George’s trip to the vet. We will be taking him in tomorrow for new radiographs, and an MRI. Yame will be going with to keep him company as he will need to spend a few days there. These procedures will give us a good idea of what is going on with his bones now, and will light the way forward in terms of a treatment plan (to reverse the severe effects of poor diet when he was a young cub). Yame is in perfect health, and the consequences of poor diet that plague George seem to be non-existent in him now. As Im sure you can see from their pictures, Yame is much bigger, and more muscular than George. It continues to be a balancing act with George, and the amount of physical activity we do with him. A little is good to build muscle which can support the bones, etc… but too much and he starts to hurt a little.
 George |  Yame |
The new growth around the reserve continues to attract a wide variety of herbivores. This has been the highlight for George and Yame as they go on their enrichment walks. Just yesterday they exhibited the perfect hunting traits of wild lions. Both went into a low stalk when they saw a herd of wildebeest on the opposite hillside. They broke cover very early, and began to chase them… without success, but they sure did try! Nobody is immune, and we often turn to find Yame stalking us as well, just like wild lions would stalk and pounce on their siblings, and other pride members. He gets the most ridiculous, playful expression seconds before, which you will see in one of his pictures J
 Yame |  Yame |
We have started introducing other things into their weekly routines as well now to keep them mentally stimulated. For example, they occasionally get whole carcasses to eat (depending on what we have been given) which they love. They don’t get it everyday, but it’s a treat to watch them when they do. They both instinctively grab the animal in a suffocation bite at the neck, or over the muzzle which just proves again that this isn’t something that needs to be taught to a lion. We have also been experimenting with a variety of new scents which we spray in their enclosure (cinnamon, citrus, mint, etc. George really loves the mint, while Yame doesn’t seem too interested…yet).
 George |  Yame |
It is amazing to look back at pictures of the boys when they first arrived, and see how much they’ve changed, and grown in the past year. They have really flourished in their new home, and will continue to do so with the help of so many people around the world who continue to spread the word about the horrible industry that they were once a part of. I hope that you enjoy the photos, compliments of Shaun Fessey, and Luise Dittombee.
Regards,
Jade
Regards,
Jade
 |  George |
