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Lions of Timbavati
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Very, very interesting set of events between these lions, the 'unknown' Tumbelas at the time, back in April, and the 6th Nharu, plus the Mbiri male. Judging by the looks of the young males, I would have bet that the scar-eyed one wouldn't have made it; as you can see he's also so skinny, with hip bones sticking out. The other one looked healthier, but it was the other way around! It just goes to show that sometimes we have to make smarter calls on when to fight and when to back off. The scarred up male was in the shadows and decided to fight another day, while the other one got a good beat down and was gingerly moving afterwards.
The Nharu male and his long-lost brothers just stared at each other, showing no aggression. Yes, I do recall rangers trying for a long while to ID these young males when they entered SS.... Amazing 
 
A great photo of the RockFig male on a territorial patrol
November 2020(OLD PHOTO),Photo credits: Stefan J Venter  *This image is copyright of its original author
 *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author The Monwana males November 2020,Photo credits: Wildlife Huibs (11-12-2020, 04:21 PM)Brahimlegend Wrote: @Cath2020 the rangers didn’t know. It was people on Facebook who id them and sent it to the rangers I didn't mean that they successfully were the ones who ID'd them.... Just that they were trying to for awhile. I hinted that they were in the process of trying to find out the ID of the lions, but that they couldn't manage to in the end despite the video that was put out way back in April....by the rangers. Try for awhile....(but, alas, in the end they did not find out where the lions came from...but ironically they had them on footage already).
Tanda Tula update
The lions were fairly present over the first few days of the week; following up on the cheetahs the next day, we found two Nharhu male lions resting in the same open area that the cheetahs had spent the night in, and the next day the two younger River Pride lionesses were found again. Sadly, they all moved east out of the concession the next day, and despite some tracks in the area a few days later, we didn’t catch up to them again this week. The Giraffe Pride were present in the western part of the concession early in the week too, and spent a couple of days around a zebra kill (and then sleeping it off). The week ended with the return of a long-lost face, the last remaining Sumatra male lion was found not too far from Tanda Tula with a buffalo calf kill. I say long lost, but Jack actually did track both the Sumatra and Hercules males down about five weeks ago, but he couldn’t identify them back then. It seems as though these two males have been displaced by the Mbiri males as the dominant males of a Kruger-based pride known as the Skorro pride. It may well have been their roars that we heard last week? They would roar to test the waters, and see if they drew any response from existing dominant male lions. If the roars remain unanswered, it is likely that the area is unoccupied by resident males. With the Nharhu males and River pride spending their time in the east, there may well be an opening for the Sumatra male to eke out an existence to the west of our concession. Only time will tell if he hangs around, or indeed if the Hercules male is still in a coalition with him.  (11-13-2020, 10:51 PM)TinoArmando Wrote: Tanda Tula update So Sumatra and Hercules are in central Timbavati.. Interesting.. (11-13-2020, 11:16 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote:(11-13-2020, 10:51 PM)TinoArmando Wrote: Tanda Tula update They are moving for a big distances lately just likely as the Mbiri boys once did. I'm concerned for the Myambula sub-adults males. If the Mbiri abandone the Myambula pride will be a really big problem (11-13-2020, 11:37 PM)TinoArmando Wrote: They are moving for a big distances lately just likely as the Mbiri boys once did. I'm concerned for the Myambula sub-adults males. If the Mbiri abandone the Myambula pride will be a really big problem Aren't those subadults around 2 yrs old? I think they will be fine.. 
"With the Nharhu males and River pride spending their time in the east, there may well be an opening for the Sumatra male to eke out an existence to the west of our concession."
Might be a test for one of the dominant coalition in the arena. There are however currently in Timbavati a lot of strong, young coalitions in charge. I wouldn't expect Hercules and Sumatra to oust neither Monwanas nor Nharhus. Perhaps they could have a shot on Avoca pride if Xikukutsus wouldn't care which is possible as they do not have cubs nor any mating rights in that pride. It would be kind of return to starting point for Sumatra male. "I'm concerned for the Myambula sub-adults males." Myambula pride is no longer seen in Tanda Tula for quite some time and should be safe distance from Hercules and Sumatra males. "If the Mbiri abandone the Myambula pride will be a really big problem" I do not think they will. Mbiris always have been known to be very active pride males, traveling wast distances during partrols, not rarely even venturing out of their territory. Also distance between arenas in which Myambula and Skorro pride operate shouldn't be that great that coalition of 2 could not handle especially if that duo are Mbiris.
Although not brothers by blood, these two impressive males - Hosi and Socha - have formed a bond closer than any brothers could. We often wonder about their first meeting, likely as young nomadic males without a pride or companion to turn to. Were they wary at first? Or did they instantly connect? However it happened, their subsequent coalition has proved a fearsome one that has the beginnings of a true dynasty - 8 females and 13 cubs! We are truly thankful that these awesome boys decided to make our piece of paradise part of their home
 *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
The Sumatra male on central Timbavati
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The Ross males quenching their thirst on Ngala Tented Camp
November 2020,Photo credits: Owen Dell  *This image is copyright of its original author
The Mapoza male quenching their thirst at Thornybush Game Reserve.
November 2020,Photo credits: Kelwan Rudi Kaiser  *This image is copyright of its original author
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