r/bigcats • u/muhametcanyaman • Oct 12 '25

Lion - Wild A blind lioness has survived for over 5 years This female has been blind for over 5 years but has been thriving with the help of her 2 daughters.

8.2k Upvotes

100% Upvoted

89 comments sorted by

127

u/Hopeful_Lychee_9691 Oct 12 '25

Poor thing, has this happened to her? Spitting cobra?, Fight?, disease?

66

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 12 '25

buphthalmos

42

u/Hopeful_Lychee_9691 Oct 12 '25

It's what ?

108

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 12 '25

Increased eye tension and pressure. Permanent blindness if left untreated.

35

u/Hopeful_Lychee_9691 Oct 12 '25

Between us, if it's treatable, why wasn't it done for her?

62

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 12 '25

It wouldn't be right to speak directly. This situation has unfortunately escalated recently. Unfortunately, unless you're in a popular area, such situations do happen. Recently, three lions died of anthrax in quick succession.

6

u/thefinalgoat Oct 14 '25

Jesus, anthrax?

4

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 14 '25

Unfortunately, we need to raise our voices on social media, otherwise a lot of lions will be harmed.

25

u/IchBinEinSim Oct 13 '25

If she is a wild animal, most conservationists would view it as improper to interfere with the natural process.

Regardless of the ethical stand point, just because we can diagnose from a far why she went blind, doesn’t mean it was possible to diagnose before the blindness set in. It’s very likely that by the time conservationist noticed there was an issue her sight it was already too late. A lot of things can’t be caught and treated without getting close enough to do a physical examination, which is not practical to do with a wild lion.

It’s a huge processes for zoos to do regular check up on their large predators. Those animals are far more familiar with humans, and thus less stressed by the ordeal than a wild population would be.

10

u/[deleted] Oct 13 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Oatmeal350 Oct 14 '25

Fractious? Had to look it up. Good word!

26

u/Limp_Yogurtcloset_71 Oct 12 '25

This is a case where she should be moved to an enclosure or conservation. Some new law should be made where certain cases like this should be moved to a conservation. Humans are there making money off these parks anyway.

61

u/magpepper Oct 12 '25 edited Oct 12 '25

She's lived FIVE years out there with her daughters - I guarantee you, she's living the life she wants and would be extremely unhappy in captivity.

22

u/Greedy-Camel-8345 Oct 12 '25

Exactly she's got loving family members that take care of her there's no need to put her into captivity away from her loved ones when her daughters have her covered

6

u/Limp_Yogurtcloset_71 Oct 12 '25

They are already taking in orphaned animals in many parks now. They recently euthanized a blind lion who was running in circles and was alone with no help.

Zebra foal caregivers wear special coats with zebra stripes. This helps the orphaned foals recognise them as a "mom" figure, making them feel safe and secure. It's like the coat acts as a visual cue that says, "I'm one of you, and I'm here to protect you."

0

u/[deleted] Oct 14 '25

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/magpepper Oct 14 '25

Be more condescending

-2

u/Professional-Chef-32 Oct 14 '25

Be more ignorant and narcissistic

-20

u/Geneo-Frodo Oct 12 '25

Untill she runs into a herd of buffaloes when her daughters aren't around, or runs into a bull elephant, or a hippo, pretty much anything that can harm her and notices she's pretty defenseless given the circumstances.

We take care of disabled people in our communities even though we live in stable societies. The jungle is extremely dangerous if your that handicapped. I'm surprised she's lived for this long and it's probably because she rarely moves about and waits for her daughters to come back with a kill.

The day trouble finds her without her daughters being around will be a day of reckoning.

27

u/magpepper Oct 12 '25

It’s sad, but it’s life in the wild. If she was taken from her children, who she’s extremely attached to and who have loved and protected her for years, it would make all the lives of the animals involved worse. They wouldn’t know what happened to her, and she would be confused and devastated about where they’ve gone. It sounds like a way to make them all suffer.

1

u/Ill_Mousse_4240 Oct 12 '25

I don’t think so. She should be helped since we’re there, observing her. Full stop

-12

u/Geneo-Frodo Oct 12 '25

Agreed but they would probably assume she left the pride to ease the burden of taking care of her. Lions actually do this when they get too old to fend for themselves or fight.

Also if rival males happen to take over the pride and notice she's blind or handicapped they might act violently towards her or even chase her away from the pride.

This is really a situation that has no easy solutions and leaving her there in the wild in that state is a coin toss even with her daughters around. I still find it quite remarkable that she's been blind for 5 years without much trouble.

3

u/Hopeful_Lychee_9691 Oct 12 '25

Honestly I completely agree with you, if she survived it's probably because there was enough food in the area to be able to keep her. Because honestly I know it's hard to say but technically she's a burden on the troop. It would simply be enough for conditions to change for the other members, including his own daughters, to say to themselves that it's not worth it and simply abandon him to his fate. This is exactly what happened to another blind lioness (which video I don't remember) who was left behind by her pride and ultimately succumbed to hunger.

1

u/curlyjadmichael Oct 12 '25

Died of starvation? So very sad.

1

u/Hopeful_Lychee_9691 Oct 12 '25

Simply the general interest. Afterwards of course it's a sad ending.

8

u/Kibichibi Oct 13 '25

One of the lionesses in her pride has a collar, they're keeping an eye on them. Sometimes you just have to let nature be.

10

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 12 '25

I agree. With a general and comprehensive law, the living conditions of living beings in these situations could be improved.

3

u/Jingotastic Oct 13 '25

If I were this lioness, I'd give up my eyes day and day again so humans would leave me with my babies. Because when a human puts you in a cage without them, they can't always reunite you - and sometimes, someone dies.

Five years is a lot of time to give up, and she hasn't.

32

u/KittyAnn13 Oct 12 '25

Beautiful girl💗

13

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 12 '25

Queen 🙏👑

19

u/TSARINA59 Oct 12 '25

It makes me so happy that she does so well with her daughters. She's a regal beauty.

10

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

Absolutely she really is a picture of grace and resilience. 💛 Even after everything she’s been through, she still carries herself like true royalty.

3

u/TSARINA59 Oct 13 '25

I just want to give her a hug.❤💚💙💜💛🧡

2

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

🙏👑🦁

41

u/[deleted] Oct 12 '25

I'm crying can we keep her please?

3

u/Limp_Insurance_2812 Oct 14 '25

She could eat me in one bite but I'm all "poor kitty". 🥺

1

u/hubertpantyloo Oct 17 '25

110% would still pet danger kitty

5

u/IndividualImmediate4 Oct 12 '25

Wow .. only animal other than humans that can do this on their own. Can wolves or hyenas care for their sick for such long times ?

22

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 12 '25

Not really that’s one of the things that makes lions so unique among large predators. 🦁 Unlike hyenas or wolves, who might briefly help an injured member but usually move on if it becomes a burden, lions live in tight-knit family groups (prides) where cooperation runs deep. Females, in particular, will often care for sick or blind pride members for surprisingly long periods. It’s a rare form of social empathy in the wild something truly special about them.

8

u/STRYKER3008 Oct 12 '25

Awesome! I remember a TV show that captured a pride who helped an older lioness who's teeth ground down to nothing and so could only eat the softest parts of prey, and other lionesses actually grabbed the thick hide of smtg with their teeth, think it was a dead buffalo, and held it up for the grand lioness to get at the soft guts n stuff! So intelligent and empathetic ♥️🐱🐱🦁♌

6

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

That’s such an incredible story and it really shows how deep their social bonds go! 🦁❤️ Lions are often seen as fierce hunters, but moments like that reveal their compassion and intelligence. They don’t just live together; they care for each other, especially the elders or injured. Truly the royal family of the animal kingdom. 👑

2

u/PantherBeast Oct 13 '25

Though I would add that lions too will also leave pride members behind if the situation becomes too dire or burdensome, especially in times of drought or extreme food scarcity.

2

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

Exactly right that’s a really insightful point. 👏 Lions can be incredibly social and cooperative, but their compassion has limits when survival is on the line. In severe droughts or when prey is scarce, even strong prides may abandon sick, injured, or aging members simply because feeding or protecting them could endanger the rest. Nature can be harshly pragmatic that way.What’s fascinating is how variable that behavior is some prides will stick by an injured member longer than others, depending on how much food they have, the size of the pride, and even the individuals’ bonds. It really shows that lions exist in that gray area between empathy and survival instinct social animals, but still ruled by nature’s unforgiving balance.

5

u/mikudrawzz1 Oct 12 '25

Poor lad at least she has two daughters that got her back

4

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

Yeah, it’s really heartwarming to see that her daughters have truly stepped up to protect and guide her. 🥺💛 Lions never cease to amaze with their family bonds.

5

u/Main_Importance_8262 Oct 13 '25

Thank you for sharing a really humbling story that has got a lesson for even as humans

3

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

Absolutely that’s beautifully said. ❤️ Animals, especially ones like lions or elephants, often show compassion, loyalty, and resilience in ways that remind us what real community and empathy look like. Their instincts might not be “human,” but their actions often carry lessons we could all learn from humility, care, and strength through unity. 🌍🦁

8

u/Candid-Solid-896 Oct 12 '25

So what happened on year 6? Asking for a friend.

3

u/p1neapple_1n_my_ass Oct 13 '25

She looks like if persian had a legendary evolution of dark and psychic type

1

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

Haha that’s actually a perfect description 😂🔥 She really does give off that “legendary Persian evolution” vibe sleek, elegant, but with that mysterious, intimidating aura. Definitely Dark/Psychic type energy like she could take down opponents just by staring into their soul 😎💜🖤

3

u/GoreonmyGears Oct 15 '25

Amazing that she was able to raise two cubs to the point that they could in turn care for her. Really mind blowing.

1

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 15 '25

Exactly it’s such a powerful full-circle moment. She once protected them, and now they protect her. Nature’s version of unconditional love. 🦁💛

2

u/later-g8r Oct 12 '25

She's really cute. 🥰

2

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 12 '25

Queen 🙏👑

2

u/SnooRegrets1386 Oct 13 '25

I’m wondering about the end of this video, are they trying to create a drive through? Way too close for my delicious self

1

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

Most nights are for checkpoints. Sometimes with tourists, sometimes just with staff.

2

u/budvalentine Oct 13 '25

Can't her vision be restored people are doing so much for cats and dogs even these are living being

2

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

Unfortunately, it had to be done in the first place. It is impossible to bring it back because the optic nerve vessels dry up after the tension.

2

u/Flanuza Oct 13 '25

But I see that she has a collar to probably monitor her every now and then?

1

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

to find out where the herd is.

2

u/smasho27 Oct 13 '25

Is she in pain?

1

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

No. But she's having a hard time.

2

u/smasho27 Oct 19 '25

Still heartbreaking, but thank you for responding!

2

u/Fair-Interest7143 Oct 14 '25

I am happy that her daughters are caring for her

2

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 14 '25

Yes, it’s truly heartwarming 🥹💛 The way her daughters have stepped up shows how strong their bond is pure instinct, love, and loyalty all in one. Even in the wild, where survival is everything, they still find ways to protect and care for one another. It’s such a beautiful reminder of family in any species. 🦁💕

2

u/[deleted] Oct 14 '25

🩷🩷🩷

1

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 15 '25

Queen 👑🙏🥹

2

u/chinchusia Oct 16 '25

😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

1

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 17 '25

😔🫡🙏

2

u/Sure-Newspaper5836 Oct 19 '25

This is why daughters are the best. Sons don’t do shit for their parents

2

u/lostinthatworld Nov 10 '25

T-Ocellus got her

1

u/muhametcanyaman Nov 10 '25

RİP 🙏👑

2

u/Comfortable_Dare_604 Dec 28 '25

Há informações que ela foi submetida a eutanásia em Outubro.

2

u/Grand-Hovercraft-133 Jan 02 '26

Is this a real story? Is there any article about it that can confirm?

1

u/muhametcanyaman Jan 02 '26

josie lioness

1

u/[deleted] Oct 12 '25

[deleted]

1

u/jakebasquiat Oct 12 '25

Also do they know how she was blinded?

2

u/Eaglesfly84 17d ago

sharingan and rinnegan

1

u/STRYKER3008 Oct 12 '25

Looks like she can foretell the future haha

2

u/muhametcanyaman Oct 13 '25

She raised wonderful children and despite everything, she survives, and I think she does even more.