Reporting Date: 13.02.2012

Sopa pride comprising 22 lions is among the largest prides in tha Mara. They could also be the healthiest of them all. Everytime, I come across them they look very well fed and healthy. This morning during our Early Morning Drive, we set out to look for them. We found them on a hunt. Amazingly there were a family of 12 elephants and a large herd of buffalos in the same area ('the Big 3' in one area)! We did not find the 22 lions but only 17. The rest of the pride were scattered in the long grass hunting the buffalos. The highlight of the drive was when we saw these three young lions crouched together all looking at the buffalos as if consulting on which one to go for! They were 'eyeing the prize'. We watched them  for over half an hour without success. Hunting can sometimes takes several hours. We decided to then go for our breakfast away from area.

NB: * = Same animals seen by different rangers