Naledi Tau – Star Lioness

Image Name:  Naledi Tau – Star Lioness (Tswana Language)

In a very special & unique area in the Tuli Block, Concession owner Lloyd from Tswehe Lodge constructed a sunken, eye level hide, near a waterhole for his guests to experience the unique perspective of extremely close encounters with the prolific wildlife.

And it delivered…

In our brief time there I had witnessed many a memorable interaction as the animals quenched their thirst in the unforgiving heat.

A standout encounter that is indelibly imprinted on my psyche is that of this female lioness who had survived significant trauma from a poacher’s snare.

Her deep scars a testament to her ordeal.

Long were her predawn drink’s, extra time was needed due to her injuries, but what made this encounter truly mind altering was her physical proximity to the lens and – well me.

An unspoken connection of the profoundest kind followed as our eyes inevitably engaged, locked and entangled in what seemed eternity – time all but vanquished.

The trust she exhibited was phenomenal and I was deeply moved and saddened at the reality of her experience and the wider conservation challenges faced on many of these vast lands – were humans and animal’s claw to life and balance and harmony need restoring.

Despite her unfortunate encounter with man’s cruelty – at the time of this writing she continued to hunt and care for herself.

This image honors her unmatched dignity, perseverance and regality through the most challenging of circumstances.

If we reflect deeper, perhaps we to can find inspiration here for the resilience to rise above our challenges dignity intact and lend our voices to stop the cruelty to animals in any shape or form.

Our promise:

A percentage of every image sold will go to the protection of these wildlands to both the communities as well as the animals that call it home through our nonprofit – The Silverbird Foundation.