Majestic Lion Has A Bad Hair Day, And It's Hilarious
Tonga may be a lion, but this photo gives him the kind of morning most people would rather keep off camera. A wildlife photographer caught the big cat looking completely disheveled, and the result is equal parts majestic and hilarious.
The lion lives at Glen Garriff Conservation near Harrismith, South Africa, where 77 lions are cared for and protected. In this case, Tonga had just woken up from a nap, and his mane looked like it had survived a storm.
One quick snapshot turned a sleepy lion into an internet favorite, and the rest of the photos make the moment even better.
This is Tonga
“I shoot for many wildlife charities; this image was taken for GG Conservation in South Africa to help them promote themselves for fundraisers,” Simon said.
“I’m really happy to be part of bringing well-deserved attention to a very worthy cause at GG Conservation Glen Garriff, where they have 77 lions in their care. People love to see lions, but when it’s one that is in need of a serious haircut, it certainly draws loving empathy and a giggle from people.”
One of the 77 lions who reside in the Glen Garriff Conservation, a wildlife park near Harrismith, South Africa
Lions (Panthera leo) have suffered a catastrophic decline and are on the verge of extinction in all but the largest and best-managed protected areas. Despite being synonymous with untamed Africa, lions are found in just 27 African and one Asian country, and only seven of them are known to have more than 1,000 lions.
In the last 100 years, lions have vanished from almost 80% of their historic range. More than 200,000 wild lions roamed Africa over a century ago.
The number of lions has decreased from around 30,000 to approximately 20,000 in the past two decades.
And if you thought the “bad hair day” drama was wild, Lincoln Park Zoo’s majestic lion roar sparked a heated debate about captivity.
And He Is Having a Bad Hair Day
The Photo Was Captured by Simon Needham, a Wildlife Photographer
Lions can be found in a variety of large, well-managed protected areas in Africa. In East and Southern Africa, most regional governments have infrastructure that facilitates wildlife tourism, and lions contribute significantly to the monetary flow for park administration and local communities, as well as providing a strong incentive for wildland conservation.
Glen Garriff Conservation is one of the few areas left where the majestic lions are still loved, protected, and preserved. If you want to help them, you can find more information here.
Want more lion chaos, check out the buffalo that flipped a hunting lion into the air mid-attack.
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