Lion - Burundi

The Ruvyironza River rises in the mountains of Southern Burundi and follows a northern course for about 110 kilometers before joining an upper branch of Tanzania’s Kagera River. The Ruvyironza River is considered the most remote source of the Nile River, the longest river in the world.

- - - - -

Panthera leo - The male lion is larger than the female and has a coarse mane covering the head and neck. Lions rest or sleep for 20 hours or more each day. When they do hunt, it is often during the day and usually a task reserved for the females, who co-operate to bring down the heavier prey animals. Averaging about 15 individuals, lion prides require large amounts of food. Lions once ranged throughout Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas, but are now considered a vulnerable species. Their populations have suffered a sharp decline.

Lion - Burundi

Lions differ from other felids; they form social groups called prides. A lion is classified as either resident or nomad. Females are usually resident and form the basic unit of a lion pride, but occasionally they do become nomads, leaving one pride and entering another. Male lions become nomads when they leave their maternal pride at maturity, about 2 to 3 years. As they grow older, males lions will either try to usurp a dominate male to take over his pride or form one of their own. 

- - - - -

German East Africa, Deutsch-Ostafrika, was a collection of colonies controlled by Germany and included Burundi, Rwanda, and Tanganyika. Burundi was not as easy to pacify as Rwanda and Tanganyika. King Mwezi IV Gisabo managed to put up a stiff resistance to foreign domination. A treaty of friendship was negotiated in 1899 and Burundi was rolled into Germany’s African holdings. Belgium took control of the colony after World War I and ruled until Burundi became independent in 1962.

Yellow Baboon - Deutsch-Ostafrika

Located in the African Great Lakes Region, German East Africa, covered present day Burundi, mainland Tanzania, and Uganda. Corruption and scandal plagued the colony for the first few years, but when a new governor was installed in 1907, the colony became a model of economic and administrative efficiency.

- - - - -

Papio cynocephalus - Each of the five species of baboons found in Africa have their distinctive home range; the yellow baboon inhabits the southern section spanning across Central Africa. The yellow baboon begins the day with a brief period of grooming activities before casually foraging their neighborhood for food. By mid-afternoon, they begin the return journey to their sleeping grove. They, like all baboons, spend the night in trees to avoid predators ranging from lions to pythons and surprisingly, a list including chimpanzees.