Wednesday 15 June 2022 05:04 PM Cat pictures: Pride of sleepy Lions escape up a tree to escape the midday heat ... trends now
Stunning pictures show a pride of lions sleeping up a tree as they attempt to escape the midday heat in Tanzania.
In a rare sight, lions have been seen 20 feet up in the Southern Serengeti enjoying the spectacular views and lounging about.
One picture which looks upon first glance to be a gorgeous shot of the African landscape with an acacia tree in the centre is actually the pride.
These pictures captured by a wildlife photographer also show the lions jumping up onto branches and lying in the shade.
East Africa’s Uganda and Tanzania are the few places in the world where you can happen up on ‘tree climbing lions’ as these big cats are known to avoid heights unlike Tigers.
Researchers believe it’s to escape the heat of the sun and bugs, and spot their next prey. It can be tricky for lions to get up to the trees as they weigh 250 to 400 pounds, posing quite a challenge.
In astonishing pictures a pride of Lions can be seen jumping up into a tree as the try to escape the midday heat in Tanzania. Pictured: The whole pride of lions have made their way up the tree as another attempts to join them
There are only a few places in the world where lions climb up heights including Tanzania's national parks and some other parts of East Africa. Pictured: This lioness made herself at home falling asleep in the tree's upper branches
There are many reasons for this including lions wanting to rest when the sun was high, escaping bugs or looking for the best meals that could be passing by their perch. Pictured: A playful lion exploring the tree
Upon first glance this appears to be an ordinary landscape but upon close inspection, lions can be found decorating the branches of the tree
Hannah Strand, 33, a photographic safari guide who has lived in Africa her whole life was leading a safari in the Southern Serengeti when she snapped the pictures.
Hannah said: 'As this was our first sighting of the pride in the tree, I wasn't sure how they would respond to the vehicle, so we started further away and gave them time to get used to us.
'We moved a little closer as time went on. Lions are incredibly impressive cats. Not only are they big and muscular, the way they interact, and their social bonds are so fascinating to witness.'
Hannah Strand, 33, a photographic safari guide who has lived in Africa her whole life was leading a safari in the Southern Serengeti when she snapped the pictures. Pictured: A lion surveys the African terrain
Hannah said: 'As this was our first sighting of the pride in the tree, I wasn't sure how they would respond to the vehicle, so we started further away and gave them time to get used to us.' Pictured: A lion looks up to see the rest of their pride high up in the tree
Tree climbing lions' are not a common sight as opposed to other big cats like leopards and tigers who love to be seen climbing. Pictured: An action shot of a lioness beginning her ascent.
According to Discover Africa , Tarangire National Park and Lake Manyara National Park in Southern Tanzania and Queen Elizabeth National Park in Ishasha, Western Uganda are the only places to find these types of lions. Pictured: A female lion surveys the beautiful landscape in the Southern Serengeti
Hannah explained how she came this awesome sight by saying: 'Part of our daily activities include a morning game drive, where we explore our surroundings and discover whatever nature has to offer.
'You can never be sure of what you may find which is part of the thrill of being a guide. 'It was late morning, and we were heading back to camp when we spotted two lion cubs under a small shrub.
'We thought they may belong to a bigger pride that we had become familiar with in the area, as we watched they turned and walked away from the open plains and towards the eco-turn, the acacia woodland.'
Tree-climbing lions are very rare, with just a handful known to exist in the wild. Pictured: A lion clings to the tree as it attempts to
