On the vast African continent, where the mysteries of the wild remain hidden in the shadows, the existence of a rare species has been dormant for decades. In a world where we are already familiar with the powerful roar of the savannah lion, something deeper and almost mythical has been discovered. Could it be a legend? A mirage in the untamed landscapes of Ethiopia? Or a truly rare animal?
It was believed that the few lions that roamed this land were known. However, what Mother Nature was hiding would be considered a legend, until it was photographed: A lion with a mane as dark as the night itself, a ghost among felines. The black-maned Ethiopian lion. Some said it never existed. Others believed it was extinct. But one specimen appeared before a camera completely by chance.
In this special documentary, we go beyond the frontiers of the unknown, where myth and reality meet. This is the story of a lion that defied the odds and made the world believe in the unexpected again. Leave your like and subscribe to the channel. It’s completely free for you and it also helps us reach 500,000 subscribers. Let’s watch the video.
THE RETURN OF THE ETHIOPIAN LION
Deep in East Africa, far off the beaten track, where desert gives way to rugged mountains and cloud forests, lies one of the most inhospitable and surprising places on the planet: the Bale Mountains National Park in Ethiopia. This is a kingdom forgotten by time, where man rarely treads, and where nature maintains its wild and natural course.
Here, Ethiopian wolves, the elusive caracal and a variety of endemic birds cohabit, each playing their part in this extraordinary ecosystem. However, in the distant past, it was the roar of a big cat that dominated the region’s hierarchy. The Ethiopian lion reigned supreme in decades past.
This ferocious predator is slightly smaller than an African savannah lion, but its muscles are more robust and its bones are wider. One striking feature is its two-tone mane. In general, an Ethiopian lion has a black mane at the edge and a light golden center. Both males and females have thicker fur and a golden hue that reflects sunlight.
This coloration, combined with the volume of its abundant mane, makes the Ethiopian lion even more majestic.
However, the species was considered extinct. They were disappearing due to hunting and the lack of large natural prey.
But in 2016, everything changed...
Hans Bauer, a professor and researcher at Harvard University, was leading an expedition with his students to study endemic species. When they set up night cameras, they noticed footprints very similar to those of large felines, and they feared for their lives. However, at the same time, they were euphoric, because this could mean that the species considered extinct was still walking around.
It didn't take long for them to catalog around 200 Ethiopian lions, which only existed in zoos, alive and healthy in the wild. A great feat for science.
These lions had the normal appearance of their species, but there was one specimen among them that would prove to be a true masterpiece of nature.
The lions that roam these lands, although distinct in their characteristics and behavior, do not differ much from their relatives in the sub-Saharan savannahs.
In general, lions are considered the greatest hunters in Africa. In the savannahs, they are formidable predators, known for their territorial coalitions and cooperative hunting techniques. The females, excellent hunters, coordinate movements that resemble the choreography of a deadly dance, while the males, with their imposing manes, defend the territory and ensure the survival of the group. These are lions that we know well, fierce and resilient, part of a story that we have heard many times.
However, there is something more. A year passed, and in 2017 a new surprise in the region of Ethiopia….
THE BLACK-MANED LION IS DISCOVERED
The discovery by Hans Bauer and his students occurred in the Alatash National Park, but just 264 kilometers away, in the Bale Mountains National Park, another Ethiopian lion would emerge, a lion with a mane that was 90% black, a characteristic never before seen in the species.
What makes this lion so rare, so unusual?
Copyright Disclaimer
Copyright Disclaimer: We do not fully own the material compiled in this video. It belongs to individuals or organizations that deserve respect. We use it under: Copyright Disclaimer, section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. "Fair use" is allowed for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
Негізгі бет SUPER RARE Lion FILMED in Ethiopia | The RAREST Lion in the world
Пікірлер: 245