Re: Follow-up on Lions of Savuti

["Michael Teuton" <tons@mx.logicsouth.com>]

-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Dunn <majestic_cheese@yahoo.com>
To: dinosaur@usc.edu <dinosaur@usc.edu>
Date: Monday, February 08, 1999 1:02 PM
Subject: Follow-up on Lions of Savuti


>Well, for the record, I read the chapter relating to this kind of
>hunting, "Against the Odds," and, as related there, the lions in
>Savuti prey on very young elephant calves, not on adult elephants as
>has been described.  One male lion is described as *tackling and
>knocking over* such a calf.
>
>Still pretty audacious, but, well ....
>
Larry and list,

As I said, I gave my copy to the big animal collector at the Columbia SC zoo
a year or two ago.  If I've given erroneous information I apologize.  I'll
get another copy tonight and review it.

It is a coffee table book, however, the field observations were taken much
as in any work of this nature.  Watch the pride and record the events.  This
in no way demeans the work.

I was under the impression that the pride was taking adolescent animals as
well as juveniles.  An adolescent elephant is not a small animal.  My
personal communication with Dr Shoemaker was along these lines.  I never
meant to give the impression they were taking large bull elephants.  Lions
and tigers have long been known to take small juveniles when the opportunity
arose.

I'll recheck and come back to swallow crow as necessary.

Sometimes Lower Than Pond Scum,

Michael Teuton