Kamuniak

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Kamunyak (which means Blessed One), is a lioness in the Samburu National Reserve, in Northern Kenya.

She is famous for having adopted at least 5 oryx calves, and fighting off predators and lion prides which attempted to eat her charges. She suffered starvation, since the calves will not act like lion cubs and wait somewhere while she hunts for food. She also developed several tactics to keep the calves healthy, such as allowing them to return to their herd and feed from their mothers.

Her story was recorded by Saba Douglas-Hamilton and her sister, Dudu, between January 2002 - August 2003. Their film, Heart of a Lioness, was first shown on the BBC and later premiered in the United States on Animal Planet in March 2005. Video clips from this film can be accessed on the Discovery Channel website, together with audio interviews with pictures. There is also an extensive discussion.

She was last sighted in February 2003, and despite a number of searches, has not been seen since.