SOUTH AFRICA: Could a lioness that had completely lost her eyesight survive for years in the wild?
The answer is yes. Josie, a 17-year-old lioness at Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa, lived for almost five years despite being completely blind.
Much of her survival was made possible by her two daughters, Dawn and Duffy.
The two lionesses helped their blind mother navigate her surroundings through distinctive calls. After a successful hunt, they called out to guide her towards the food. When danger approached, they also helped her move towards safer areas.
Josie, however, also adapted to her condition. Despite losing her sight, she continued to rely on her strong sense of hearing and smell to hunt smaller animals.
Together with her daughters, she managed to survive in the challenging conditions of the wild for several years.
Josie eventually died peacefully in 2025 after a long life.
Her story offers a remarkable example of adaptation and the strong bond between a mother and her offspring. It also shows how cooperation and family support can play an important role in the survival of wildlife.
