King of the jungle

[golok]

There was a time when lions were held in high esteem and accorded the proper respect befitting its status as King of the Jungle.

These days when one talks of lions, one usually think of them in zoos or a documentary in Discovery Channel. Where has this proud beast gone to?

Even the jungles around the world are seeing fewer and fewer of these animals with their magnificent mane.

Hunters of old on safaris normally hunt tigers. Seldom do we hear of them looking for lions. Being eaten by one is usually the case.

Legends and myths have evolved around the courage and magnificence of the lion. When we describe a man of great courage, we may say "lion-hearted". Or, "he's a lion of a man".

But sadly, the lion may soon retreat into the mists of obscurity in the decades to come. When that time comes, I shall miss them.

 

[Evolute]

"Even the jungles around the world are seeing fewer and fewer of these animals with their magnificent mane."

Few, indeed, because lions live in savannahs, not jungles. I would expect not to see lions in jungles, just like I would expect not to see a walrus in a jungle. I don't know why they have become known as "king of the jungle", but it's not true.

They are on the decline, and that is saddening for me.

--Mike

 

[jefroman]

Mike is right. Lions never have or will live in the jungle.
I've always wondered why they were called "King of Jungle"

Jeff

 

[MacHete]

In The Wizard of Oz, he was "King of the Foruuuuust".

I've always heard them called "King of the Beasts".

I have loved lions for as long as I can remember. I collect lion bookends and statuary. They are indeed stately and impressive animals. In fact, my PC wallpaper is an image of the "Lion of Lucerne" which Mark Twain described as "the most mournful, moving piece of rock in the world."

It is sad that their numbers are dwindling in the wild. Sadder still is the number of them kept in inadequate accomodations by private individuals who want a unique pet.

 

[mjolnir]

I originally was going to reply that the tiger is superior, based on having read a book by Clyde Beatty, a famous "lion tamer" of the 50s. I seem to recall that he stated the tiger, pound for pound, was superior to the lion. Then, I came across this link:

http://www.lairweb.org.nz/tiger/conflict7.html

Interesting reading, either way.

 

[ajrand]

If we are going to nit pick, a jungle is an inner city. Perhaps you guys are refering to a rain forest.

 

[golok]

We have plenty of rainforest areas in Malaysia. Plenty of tigers too. Lately they have been frightening some villagers, so a few were shot and others captured.

Tiger paw marks on jungle trails can be quite distressful when poachers hurt these animals with their illegal snares and traps, thus making them man-eaters. Man as you realise is the slowest moving creature in the tiger's food chain.

We taste better, too, I suspect.

 

[Andrew Lynch]

Wow mjolnir, that was a hell of a read!

Being the curious bastid I am, I'm always wondering about stuff like that (and have discussed that particular issue---the master carnivore---with friends in some detail). Great website! Go Grizzly

 

[MacHete]

ajrand-
If you really want to nit-pick, the word "jungle" comes from the Hindi word "jangal"- meaning "forest". The Hindi word comes from the Sanskrit word "jangala"- meaning "desert".

How a word for "desert" came to be used for "forest" seems confusing, unless you consider that "desert" connoted "unusable land", which might also describe an impenetrable forest. It could just as easily describe a swamp. An inner city is a use of land, even if it is a poor one.

Isn't etymology FUN?

 

[ajrand]

I stand corrected! I always thought that snooty Nigerian asst. prof. was wrong, but never bothered to check. Now if I could just find out where she is these 30 years later I could finally tell her she's full of **it!