volunteer with one of the "small" lions

the children of the Lubasi orphanage

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Zambia Day 7: Lion Walks, Lion Feedings, Lion Naming and AIDS

Today Bob took lions for walks three times while Julia did so twice (Julia was not feeling well after the 2nd walk).

We had a few good photo ops, and saw the lions get fed today.  Lion feeding is much more vicious than expected.  Despite there being a large piece of donkey for each lion available, they fought aggressively over the food.

Lion Names:

We have been working with 5 lions from 2 litters:  Bisa, Bemba, Rufiji, Rwanda and Ruma.  Each of these names are a language spoken in Zambia.  There are a total of 72 languages spoken in Zambia, thus this naming system will be used for many more lions to come.

AIDS in Zambia:

30% of the adult population in Zambia have AIDS.  Thus there are a lot of orphanages in Zambia.  The orphanage we visited in Livingstone has 39 children, 3 of the children also have AIDS.  Death due to AIDS is very common.  Just days before we arrived in Zambia, a young staff member where we are  staying could not continue her job due to illness caused by AIDS.  Sadly, she passed away yesterday as a result of her illness.  This is Africa.


Family photo:  the Bordignon-Biedermann Pride.  Back Row: Julia, Bob.  Front Row: Rafiji, Rwanda, Ruma

 

Bisa and Bemba quenching their thirst in the Zambezi River
 

Rufigi and Rwanda fighting over the hind end of a donkey

Just 5 of the 72 languages spoken in Zambia.  Also the name of the five lions that live in this enclosure.
  
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1 comment:

  1. UnknownJanuary 4, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    Hi guys! What an amazing shot of the Bordignon-Biedermann clan!!! Bob, I'm really enjoying your blog - very entertaining reading. From the gruesome donkey story to what must have been a very exciting crocodile attack, it's non-stop action for you.
    Julia, I hope you're feeling better and that it's not anything serious. Hope the rest of the trip goes smoothly and those lions start hunting!

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