History's most brutal killers, the Majingilane Male Lions

[vinodkumarn]

Through The Guide's Eye.....
How the Hip Scar male was found:
It was raining the morning we found him for the last time. As we descended into a drainage line, we spotted a large number of vultures in dead trees, and of course Martin and I went to investigate. It was near to where the Hip Scar male was last seen, so Martin said to me that it was probably him that had attracted them. We knew it was either that, or he had surprised us once again and killed a buffalo. We hoped for the latter.
As we were getting far from the guests, I had to return to the vehicle while Martin continued alone and it wasn't long before he radioed to tell me he had found the Hip Scar male, and that he had been dead for a few days.
When we arrived, we came upon a difficult scene, which we felt we should see as it is as much part of nature as its beauty. He lay in long grass, completely intact, with no spinal spinal damage or any evidence of a cause of death other than just dying alone where he lay. This was verified by the vets we took there later.
What was interesting is that the other three Majingilane males seem to have moved past there two nights before we found him. We think this because we saw them the night of the 14th of February, and tracked them right past this area the next morning, and their tracks went too close to him for them not to have found him.
There was evidence that his body had been moved about a hundred yards or so, and we think it could only have been his brothers who did this. Of course, it could have been hyenas, but we think not. What went on that night will be a secret that the bush will guard closely forever.
It was difficult for us to find him like that, but nature has taken its course and he is not struggling anymore.
To reproduce in the wild is to win the game, and the Majingilane males have done so emphatically by dominating a highly contested area for over half a decade. He was an integral part of this. His brothers are still strong, and there is a lot left in them yet, so I don't believe this is the beginning of the end for the Majingilane males. Long may we still hear them roaring in the beloved African night.
Goodbye to the Hip Scar male, in whose burning eyes the fire has finally gone out.
Blaine Moolman, Guide Reply