Mara Watch: Week Two

'Cubs and pups, I have some beauties of a gorgeous hyena pup, tiny cheetah cubs, even smaller leopard cubs and astonishingly three 36 hour old lion cubs, this last one has, to my knowledge, never been photographed before and you will love them.' Paul Goldstein, from the Masai Mara, Kenya

To see more of these spectacular shots come to the Royal Geographical Society on 8th Dec - Mara Watch 2009 - when he will thrill any wilderness fans with his take on the Mara this year. Presenting with him will be Mr Travel himself, Simon Calder.

Click on the images to enlarge and appreciate full size image

Mara Watch Week Two

Next five images:

Here is the same cheetah mother as last week indulging her three 10 week old cubs. Still desperately vulnerable at this age, these cubs face an uncertain future and she has been missing for several days now.

Cheetah and cubs
Cub nibbling mother's ear
 Cheetah cubs  Cheetah cubs Cheetah cubs

Next five images:

This is astonishing. To see seven week old leopard cubs let alone photograph them is a fantastic privilege. But in the space of 24 hours mother led them from their den and into the barrels of several precision optics. For the guests, many of them multi visitors to the Mara, this was their greatest ever wildlife experience and certainly their best ever photos.

 Leopard and cub

 Leopard and cub
 Leopard cub Prowling leopardcub Loepard cleaning cub

The following three images:

Close to Mara Camp there is a hyena den. Some mornings the alpha female parades her young pups. This was the most adventurous of the eight week old pups.

Hyena and pup Hyena and pup
 Hyena and pup

Right image:

No water in Kenya?  The Marsh lions beg to differ.

 Marsh lions

Next four images:

Close to the major crossing point, a mother has three eight week old cubs who are not only playful but very boisterous, a magical very early morning game drive saw them at their most endearing.

 Lions on the lookout Lioness carrying her cub

 Marsh lion and cubs Cub and reflection

Next five images:

Forget two months or even seven weeks, try 36 hours! As far as I am aware and quite a few experts here I have spoken to, this has never been seen before. These cubs are only just drying out. With tiny teeth and eyes still closed they will not be mobile for several weeks. To find them this young is frankly incredible and will NEVER happen again. Perfect light and an indescribably cute yawn elicited sobs all round from all guests, who can blame them. It was a very short interlude with them as they face a parlous first few weeks.

 36 hour old cubs 36 hour old cubs
 36 hour old cubs 36 hour old cubs 36 hour old cubs

The following two images:

The Mara has not only the best photographic light in the world, fact, it also has the most consistently good sunsets, here’s a couple with some obliging cheetahs.

 Cheetahs at sunset Cheetah at sunset

 

See our Big Cat Diary page: Mara Watch: Week One | Week Three | Week Four | Week Five | Week Six

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