Ann Aveyard Wildlife Photography

26/06/2026

In response to the questions and messages I have been receiving regarding Kaleo’s cubs with mange and why they haven’t been treated

On showing signs of a mild case of mange the cubs have been seen by two vets. Both vets agreed that the best course of action at this stage is careful observation rather than intervention. The cubs are otherwise bright, active, in excellent body condition, and behaving completely normally.

This decision may seem surprising to some, but in very young lion cubs—particularly those under 12 months of age—the risks associated with intervention can outweigh the risks posed by mild mange itself.

Treating free-ranging lion cubs is far from straightforward. It requires locating them, immobilising them with anaesthetic drugs, administering treatment, and then monitoring their recovery.

Anaesthesia always carries an element of risk, especially in young animals whose bodies are still developing. There is also the potential for complications during induction or recovery, separation from the pride, or increased vulnerability while the cubs are sedated.

Intervening also presents risks for the cubs’ mother. A lioness with young cubs is naturally highly protective, and approaching or darting cubs can cause significant stress to her. Depending on the circumstances, she may have to be temporarily displaced or even immobilised herself to allow the veterinary team to work safely.

Anaesthesia carries risks for adult lions as well, and any unnecessary disturbance to the bond between a mother and her cubs is something wildlife veterinarians work hard to avoid. Even a short separation can disrupt the pride’s normal behaviour.

In contrast, mild mange is often something that healthy animals can overcome naturally, particularly when they are well nourished and have strong immune systems. These cubs continue to eat well, play, and interact normally with the pride, all of which are positive indicators that they are coping well.

Wildlife veterinarians carefully balance the welfare of an individual animal against the risks that intervention itself may create. Their goal is always to do what gives the animal the best overall chance of thriving—not simply to treat every visible condition immediately.

The cubs will continue to be monitored closely, and if there are any signs that the mange is progressing, affecting their condition, or compromising their health, the veterinary team will reassess the situation and intervene if necessary.

For now, observation is not a lack of action—it is an informed veterinary decision based on experience, the cubs’ current health, and the principle that sometimes the safest treatment for a wild animal is to minimise unnecessary human interference. Sometimes, doing less is actually doing what is best for both the cubs and their mother.

26/06/2026

Delighted to see that Shirley Difrawy, who was a guest on my last photographic Safari a few weeks ago, has had her blog post about a cheetah hunt published on the Governors Camp Collection website. Well done Shirley for the amazing account of the story and the images depicted the scene so well.

Join me on a photographic safari and experience wonderful wildlife encounters such as this one. Details on my website.

www.ann-aveyard.co.uk

One of the most thrilling moments of the safari was witnessing the cheetah Ruka in pursuit of an impala. What began as a distant sighting quickly unfolded into an extraordinary display of speed, agility and precision. The fastest land mammal...

25/06/2026

The youngest members of the Marsh Pride, these 2 little rascals have been named - Musiara and Olonyori.

Cubs aren't usually named until they are 12 months old, however names were requested ahead of the BBC's release of the Lion series.

Photographed on safari at Governors Camp Collection

Canon photographer Canon UK

25/06/2026

The Marsh Pride cubs have been named.

23/06/2026

A young male cheetah known as Obik, (a new cheetah for me). It is believed he came from the Serengeti.

Thank you for the ID.

Photographed on safari

Canon photographer

23/06/2026

Marsh Pride lionesses - June 2026

23/06/2026

Double trouble - Kaleo's young boys.

22/06/2026

A cheetah sighting is always exciting. For many safari-goers, it's a quick stop: take a few photos, tick the cheetah off the list, and move on to the next sighting. As other vehicles arrived, guests eagerly took their photographs, delighted to have seen a cheetah and secured a memorable image. With another sighting added to their list, they were content and soon drove off to find their next wildlife experience.

But that's not how we run our photo safaris.

When we found Ruka, a magnificent male cheetah, standing on a termite mound scanning the plains, it was clear he wasn't simply resting — he was hunting. In the distance, we could see what had caught his attention: a herd of impala grazing on the open plain.

Rather than following directly behind him, we left Ruka to make his approach and carefully repositioned ourselves on the opposite side of the herd. We were careful not to disturb the impala or influence the outcome in any way. Giving both predator and prey plenty of space, we settled in to watch nature take its course.

For the next hour, we watched Ruka stalk silently through the bush. Every movement was deliberate. He used clumps of vegetation and the long grass to conceal his approach, creeping ever closer to the unsuspecting impala.

Then came the moment we had all been waiting for.
In an instant, Ruka exploded into action. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in just a few seconds, he transformed from a patient hunter into the fastest land animal on Earth. The speed, power and agility were simply breathtaking. In fact, the entire chase — from the moment he started running to the moment he brought down the impala — lasted just 11 seconds!!!

As photographers, we were ready. My camera was set to 1/5000 sec, aperture f5.6, ISO 1000 and focal length 600mm, but the reality of photographing a cheetah hunt is very different from imagining it. The grass was long, the action unbelievably fast, and my autofocus was constantly jumping between the cheetah, the impala and the grass in between. By the time the camera found focus, the scene had already changed. Eleven seconds later, it was all over.

In truth, getting great photographs of the actual hunt was impossible. But that's exactly why a safari is about more than photography. Some wildlife moments are simply too fast, too wild and too spectacular to be experienced through a viewfinder alone.

When the dust settled, Ruka stood over his prize. This time, the hunt had been successful. Many cheetah hunts end in failure, so every successful hunt is important, especially for an endangered species whose survival depends on conserving precious energy and securing enough food.

As he fed, the drama continued. Although he had won the chase, his meal was far from guaranteed. Cheetahs are relatively small predators and are constantly at risk of losing their hard-earned kills to stronger competitors such as lions and hyenas. Between mouthfuls, Ruka repeatedly lifted his head to scan his surroundings, remaining alert to any potential threat.

Once he had eaten his fill, he quietly walked away to rest in the shade.

Soon afterwards, vultures that had been circling overhead descended onto the carcass. Before long, several marabou storks arrived to join the feast. Together, these often-overlooked scavengers played their vital role in the ecosystem, stripping the carcass clean and ensuring that nothing went to waste. Within a surprisingly short time, the only evidence of the hunt was a few scattered remains.

From the first sighting on the termite mound, through the stalk, the chase, the successful hunt, the meal and finally the arrival of the vultures and marabou storks, we were privileged to witness the entire story unfold.

That is what our safaris are all about.

Of course we love photography, but safari is about so much more than collecting images or ticking animals off a list. It's about immersing yourself in the natural world, understanding animal behaviour, appreciating the challenges wildlife faces every day, and experiencing those rare moments that no photograph can ever fully capture.

It's about seeing the whole story.

On safari at Governors Camp Collection with
superb guiding by our guide, Mike Masai

Canon Photographer Canon UK

22/06/2026

Nice to see one of my red squirrel images in this article in The Telegraph today

Wildlife managers offer the monarch an unusual s*x education lesson on his visit to York