T R E E  C L I M B I N G  L I O N 

Tree-climbing lions are rare, but there are a few that like to rise to the occasion in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.

Wildlife Conservation Society researchers call this particular lioness “Questionable Female.”

What a name, I thought, but it is actually based on some unknown geography. She seems to have come from a pride outside the WCS study area.

The WCS conservationists theorize that these lions like to climb to cooler air and away from the attacking tsetse flies that hang out below.

Respecting space in the wilds of Africa is critical. I stayed in the land rover and used a long lens so Questionable Female remained calm in her cradle of branches.

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS