A photographer has managed to shoot some incredible footage of wild lions up-close as part of a project involving a remote camera trap.
A wildlife photographer from California, USA, captured candid footage of lions roaming free in the wild in Kenya. He then used a camouflaged buggy to film them without getting hurt.
The camera was sent inside the lion’s area and controlled remotely, producing footage where the lions act like big cats and enjoy having fun with the LionCam.
Seasoned photographer Steve has been taking photographs professionally for 25 years.
He said: “It’s a lot of fun watching the way the lions behave when they’re interacting with the LionCam.” One lion in the video wrapped its paws around it, hugged it, and wouldn’t let go.
“It was a big cat for him” When he finally realized it wasn’t either prey or predator, he ignored it and treated its movement as a moving rock.
“This lion was so tired from hu.nti.ng all night; he finally went to sleep.”
Thanks to the Lion Cam, Steve was able to capture extraordinary footage which allows viewers to see lions in their natural habitat.
Steve was inspired by UK photographer Wil Burrard-Lucas, who created a BeetleCam, and Steve adapted the idea before he embarked on a photography trip to Kenya.
Steve, a father of three, said: “I redid the electronics, added a new transmitter, added a camera, and remade the cover attachment system.”
“I was planning to use it as part of a conservation program for elephants, but I knew that if I tried it out with the elephants, they might get scared off by the camera and not approach it. So I decided to use it with the lions, who were really interested in it.”