Lion couple 1 second after mating climax. Having followed a lioness that was walking purposefully along the road in Ruaha National Park before sunrise, some 15 minutes later she joined a group with the clear intention of mating. We observed the mating marathon all morning, leaving the lions to pick their spot without disturbing them. At one point they picked a clear spot on the road close to and facing our vehicle. One second after the climax the male looked straight into the lens.