Pieter van Wyk sent this video to Latest Sightings. He filmed the encounter at MalaMala in South Africa’s Sabi Sands Game Reserves.
Courting tortoises
As the video begins, we see a pair of tortoises walking across a dry riverbed. Typically solitary, it is unusual to see more than one tortoise at a time.
The exception is during mating season, when males actively track the scent of receptive females. But more about that later.
Passing predator
As Pieter zooms out, we hear someone say, “Here he comes.” over the two-way radio rangers use to communicate. Then, entering the frame from the right, we see something large approaching.
It is a male lion, who, it would seem, Pieter and his colleagues had been waiting for. Male lions spend a large percentage of their time patrolling their territory, either alone or with other males if they are part of an alliance.
Prime condition
As the lion comes fully into frame, we see that he is in his prime, with the scarring of past battles plainly visible on his face. Weighing up to 250 kilograms, male lions can tackle buffalo bulls.
At this stage, he has not noticed the tortoise and seems intent on simply walking by Pieter’s position.
But, what will he make of the tortoise, the back of whose shell is just visible in the above image. We are about to find out.
Spotted!
Then, as the lion gets closer, he sees movement in the corner of his eye, and turns his head to take a closer look. He has spotted the second, presumably male tortoise as it slowly pursues its love interest.
Like most predators, the lions hunting instinct is stimulated by any movement. Accordingly, the lion stops to properly investigate the strange moving shape before him.
Ignorance is bliss
As for the tortoise, he has other things on his mind and appears blissfully unaware of the potential danger standing just metres behind him.
If anything, it is the massive lion who looks more bothered, with his eyes wide open and brow curiously furrowed. He may well of come across tortoise before, but perhaps from that angle he can’t quite fathom this ‘moving rock’.
Pause for thought
Subsequently, the lion seems to lose his train of thought. Pausing for a moment, he gathers his thoughts, perhaps debating whether a closer inspection of the tortoise is required.
Although the tortoise’s shell offers solid protection on top, the lion could kill it by tearing open the softer underside. The question is, does he want to? Is it worth the effort for such a small morsel when you can eat up to 40 kilograms of meat at a time.
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Moving on
Ultimately, the lion decides to continue on his way. The tortoises may not have realised how close they came to having their romantic interlude interrupted.
Tortoise mating behaviour
Once a male has successfully tracked a female he will signal his desire to mate by bobbing his head. He may ram her until she allows mating to take place, if this is ignored.
Mating is a vocal affair, with the male grunting and wheezing throughout. To facilitate copulation, the male’s belly plate is slightly concave, and he hooks his long tail under her carapace to ensure she doesn’t wonder off.
Females lay up to seven clutches of eggs per season, each with up to 30 eggs. Incubation lasts from 8 – 15 months, depending on the ambient temperature, after which the babies emerge fully independent.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
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A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
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