Do animals value family?

Jul 18, 2024

Do animals value family? Are they family-oriented? These are questions we often hear from guests visiting our game parks. The answers are closer than you might think - you don’t have to search far to see the strong family dynamics among the animals. However, you must pay close attention to truly appreciate it.

While on a game drive, you come across a watering hole, usually a peaceful spot. Today, though, you notice a group of impalas standing frozen, all facing north. Curious, you shift your gaze in the same direction and spot three female lions and their three cubs lounging under a big Zambezi teak tree.

You might be wondering, "Hmm...how very specific. Does this really happen every day? Do you just happen to see three lions and their cubs sitting there every day?" Well…not quite. I should have started by saying this particular scene unfolded a little while ago, just before winter, when a group of curious kids and their families were asking these very questions.

So, let’s keep imagining and drive towards the lions as they rest under the shade of the said teak tree. Try to observe who the mother is and the relations among these three. Finally, as you are trying to guess, the cubs begin to suckle from one of the females. Now we know who the mother is!

Since temperatures are already cooling, the lionesses start moving around as they usually do around this time. It's time to drink water and prepare for a hunt. "Ooooh, there's a herd of buffalos approaching the watering hole!" we all shrieked in unison, as if rehearsed. This is turning into the perfect storm-three lions with cubs, impalas and now buffalos, all converging at once!

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. As expected, the approaching buffalos spook the impalas, creating a frenzy. It’s not about who runs the fastest now, but who can outrun whom, because those lions are now on the move, targeting the buffalos. Usually, you'd expect some stalking before the chase, but even the lions sensed this rare opportunity.

In a surprising twist, one buffalo turns the tables, charging straight at the lionesses. Tragically, one lioness, (whom we later realised was the mother), is injured by the buffalo's horn. Despite her pain, she limps back to her cubs, who continue feeding, oblivious to their mother’s condition.

Not wanting to dwell on this unfortunate turn of events, we continue our safari. Hours later, on our way back to camp, we are astonished to see the same three lionesses sharing a whole impala. Knowing the mother was injured, it’s clear that the other two lionesses went hunting and brought back food for her.

This touching scene answered our guests' questions perfectly-it showed that animals do understand and care for their own in times of need. We further explained how elephants also raise their babies together, demonstrating remarkable emotional intelligence and connection. Elephants live in strongly bonded, female-led (matriarchal) herds. Alongside the mother, other elephants (usually aunts) help to rear and protect calves. They mourn for weeks when one of their own dies, even holding burial ceremonies.

So, yes, animals do value family. The bonds they share are profound and poignant, and witnessing these connections is one of the many wonders of visiting our Gwango. So why don’t you visit us and help us figure out if those pesky baboons stealing all our mangoes and papayas are related.