The Birmingham Males

[lionuk]

Old and battered but still in the game - The aging Birmingham male Tinyo! He's beautiful. 

Among the two remaining Birmingham males that are still fairly in control of the Kambula pride, Tinyo is clearly the one who shows his age most now with 11 years. Not only can you see it in his face but more importantly the effects start to get more and more visible on his body. It’s obvious. The movements are stiffer, the hip has become thinner. Over the last months a few sightings showed him worryingly emaciated, to the point that thoughts about his upcoming demise appeared legit.

Therefore it’s all the nicer to see now that he has successfully fought back and regained a lot of condition lately. Sightings in September and October showed him full bellied, and still with that impressive dark mane of his.

However it’s undeniable that the wind of change is blowing through the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and only time will tell how much longer the old veterans can maintain their territory. His brother Nhenha - that much needs to be said - is still in formidable physical shape, pretty much able to compete with every rival that is lurking around them.

Photo credit: Zhian Carim Photography

*This image is copyright of its original author

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