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March report 2011:
So, Both of the adult Gijimas males are now dead!
RIP... so sorry that you had to fight off a bullet.. that is something very few win from...
Gijima Male and a nkuhuma cub were put down by Authorities after pressure from demonstrators to do so when they escaped for a second time from Manyeleti, the last Gijima was shot at when he was feeding on the carcass of downed livestock and ran away injured into Sabi Sands. He was finally located and put down to end his pain and suffering.
(12-05-2020, 06:52 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: One month ago two amazing lions were killed by members of the species they avoided as much as possible and never trusted - humans. This tribute is not dedicated to that incident, but tells the story of two remarkable male lions.
In the first half of 2009 there were first reports of 2 unknown big male lions roaming the north eastern Sabi Sands. Nothing unusual given this area is directly bordering the Kruger National Park and nomadic male lions move in and out to check out opportunities.
At that time the 2 notorious Mapogo Males, Kinky Tail and Mr.T, were the rulers of this estate and most nomadic males wisely decided to avoid them and moved on. Not these 2 males, they decided to stay around. And there was another thing catching the attention of the game rangers and the interested audience, these 2 males did not like people-in-vehicles approaching them too close. In fact they avoided they game drive vehicles as much as they could and sometimes even charged at them if their warning growls have been ignored.
It was believed these male came from “the north” and in the beginning they were called “Manyeleti Males”. Well, there was another pair of male lions called “Manyeleti Males” having fallen victim to the Mapogos not too long ago. So the newcomers were called “The New Manyeleti Males”. More and more reports came in.
The newcomers did not only earn the respect of people, but also of the resident male lions. There have been several altercations between the New Manyeleti Males and the 2 Mapogos. Kinky Tail and Mr. T tried to get rid of them. But to no avail. Everybody expected the usual headline: male lion down – killed by the Mapogos.
But towards the end of 2009 reports came in about the New Manyeleti Males roaring in Little Gowrie with the 2 Mapogos being only a few kilometers away … and Kinky Tail and Mr. T did not response! That was something new. These 2 brave males finally established a territory adjacent to the “Mapogo North-East Kingdom” and were then regularly sighted in Torchwood, Western Gowrie and Buffleshoek. There has never been another attempt by the Mapogos to attack the New Manyeleti Males and as far as I know they have never been seen again north of Little Gowrie.
As their new home was pretty much the Djuma traversing area those rangers gave them a new name. They called them the “Gijima Males”, which is Zulu language and means something like “running away”. Well, not from other lions but still from vehicles. Even though they started accepting the presence of people more and more, they remained skeptical and never really trusted humans. Esp. the one with the lighter & shorter mane never was really at ease with people, as we know today for very good reasons.
The Gijima Males were fully grown adult males when they arrived, but still in their prime. I would estimate their age being around 8-9 years as of beginning of 2011. The male with the lighter & shorter mane was slightly younger than the other one I believe. This means the Gijima Males were not brothers, probably pride mates and definitely “the best friends”.
The bonding between the Gijimas was extraordinary. They have always been seen together, even if one was mating the other one stayed in close vicinity to back up his partner. I am not aware of a single incidence where the Gijima Males had an argument amongst each other, not about kills and not about females. This is very unusual.
And there is another thing which makes the Gijima Males standing out. There is not a single report about the Gijima Males harassing females or killing cubs. Right the opposite. At some point the 2 males started discovering the southern Manyeleti area and were seen with a female and a cub, which has been sired by Dozie (the famous Nkuhuma Male). They did not kill the cub. A similar incident was reported with another group of females with cubs. The Gijima Males always behaved calm & gentle in the presence of females and cubs. By male lions standards they were true “Gentlemen”.
In the first half of 2010 they were often seen mating, resting and feeding with some females of the Nkuhuma Pride (the group around Snaggletooth). They stayed with these of females for quite some time. They started avoiding the northern Sabi Sands since the Majingilane Males started their land claims. On the 21st of June the Gijimas, in company of one of the Nkuhuma females, killed a buffalo in Western Gowrie and were attacked and chased off by the 4 Majingilane Males. The Gijimas moved further north and east. I believe I have seen footage from summer 2010 showing “our guys” with 4 females and 4 cubs close to Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge east of Torchwood in the Kruger NP.
The Gijimas were also often sighted in the Manyeleti Reserve and obviously found new mates there. Towards the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 they made a return to Western Gowrie, in company of 4 females from the Nkuhuma Pride (a sub group that has been with Dozie in the Manyeleti until summer 2010) and their offspring, 2 new cubs. It seemed to be the beginning of a new lion soap opera, 4 healthy females and 2 strong males, along with the first 2 members of a new lion generation.
Sadly this movie will never make it to the film theatres … it is a shame. The two Gijima Males and one of the cubs are no longer.
I was always delighted to see the Gijima Males or to hear about them. They were very special male lions. I salute to the Gijima Males, brave fighters, smart protectors, great mates and caring leaders, but also shy and cautious.
I hope the Gijima Males are still walking together … somewhere!
Photo credits: Andreas Nienhaus
Manyeleti-Sabi Sands,30.1.2010
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
Obviously two of my favorites, thanks for posting!
Such a senseless killing of these males, because humans failed to fix their own fence— and then to also shot a cub.
Djuma Landowner’s account: “As we have no jurisdiction outside the SSW, we ultimately had to defer to MTPA's decision, i.e. to destroy the lions to remove the risk to the community and their livestock, and the rest of the pride. MTPA shot the two lions; unfortunately during this exercise a third male lion (the cub) was wounded but escaped. It took several days to locate him; he evaded trackers and tracking dogs. The lion was then observed in the SSW with the rest of the pride. In the hope that the lion could be saved and treated, the SSW called a private vet to dart and treat it. However, once the animal was tranquilized, it was apparent that its wounds were too severe and hence it was euthanized.”
(12-05-2020, 06:52 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: One month ago two amazing lions were killed by members of the species they avoided as much as possible and never trusted - humans. This tribute is not dedicated to that incident, but tells the story of two remarkable male lions.
In the first half of 2009 there were first reports of 2 unknown big male lions roaming the north eastern Sabi Sands. Nothing unusual given this area is directly bordering the Kruger National Park and nomadic male lions move in and out to check out opportunities.
At that time the 2 notorious Mapogo Males, Kinky Tail and Mr.T, were the rulers of this estate and most nomadic males wisely decided to avoid them and moved on. Not these 2 males, they decided to stay around. And there was another thing catching the attention of the game rangers and the interested audience, these 2 males did not like people-in-vehicles approaching them too close. In fact they avoided they game drive vehicles as much as they could and sometimes even charged at them if their warning growls have been ignored.
It was believed these male came from “the north” and in the beginning they were called “Manyeleti Males”. Well, there was another pair of male lions called “Manyeleti Males” having fallen victim to the Mapogos not too long ago. So the newcomers were called “The New Manyeleti Males”. More and more reports came in.
The newcomers did not only earn the respect of people, but also of the resident male lions. There have been several altercations between the New Manyeleti Males and the 2 Mapogos. Kinky Tail and Mr. T tried to get rid of them. But to no avail. Everybody expected the usual headline: male lion down – killed by the Mapogos.
But towards the end of 2009 reports came in about the New Manyeleti Males roaring in Little Gowrie with the 2 Mapogos being only a few kilometers away … and Kinky Tail and Mr. T did not response! That was something new. These 2 brave males finally established a territory adjacent to the “Mapogo North-East Kingdom” and were then regularly sighted in Torchwood, Western Gowrie and Buffleshoek. There has never been another attempt by the Mapogos to attack the New Manyeleti Males and as far as I know they have never been seen again north of Little Gowrie.
As their new home was pretty much the Djuma traversing area those rangers gave them a new name. They called them the “Gijima Males”, which is Zulu language and means something like “running away”. Well, not from other lions but still from vehicles. Even though they started accepting the presence of people more and more, they remained skeptical and never really trusted humans. Esp. the one with the lighter & shorter mane never was really at ease with people, as we know today for very good reasons.
The Gijima Males were fully grown adult males when they arrived, but still in their prime. I would estimate their age being around 8-9 years as of beginning of 2011. The male with the lighter & shorter mane was slightly younger than the other one I believe. This means the Gijima Males were not brothers, probably pride mates and definitely “the best friends”.
The bonding between the Gijimas was extraordinary. They have always been seen together, even if one was mating the other one stayed in close vicinity to back up his partner. I am not aware of a single incidence where the Gijima Males had an argument amongst each other, not about kills and not about females. This is very unusual.
And there is another thing which makes the Gijima Males standing out. There is not a single report about the Gijima Males harassing females or killing cubs. Right the opposite. At some point the 2 males started discovering the southern Manyeleti area and were seen with a female and a cub, which has been sired by Dozie (the famous Nkuhuma Male). They did not kill the cub. A similar incident was reported with another group of females with cubs. The Gijima Males always behaved calm & gentle in the presence of females and cubs. By male lions standards they were true “Gentlemen”.
In the first half of 2010 they were often seen mating, resting and feeding with some females of the Nkuhuma Pride (the group around Snaggletooth). They stayed with these of females for quite some time. They started avoiding the northern Sabi Sands since the Majingilane Males started their land claims. On the 21st of June the Gijimas, in company of one of the Nkuhuma females, killed a buffalo in Western Gowrie and were attacked and chased off by the 4 Majingilane Males. The Gijimas moved further north and east. I believe I have seen footage from summer 2010 showing “our guys” with 4 females and 4 cubs close to Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge east of Torchwood in the Kruger NP.
The Gijimas were also often sighted in the Manyeleti Reserve and obviously found new mates there. Towards the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011 they made a return to Western Gowrie, in company of 4 females from the Nkuhuma Pride (a sub group that has been with Dozie in the Manyeleti until summer 2010) and their offspring, 2 new cubs. It seemed to be the beginning of a new lion soap opera, 4 healthy females and 2 strong males, along with the first 2 members of a new lion generation.
Sadly this movie will never make it to the film theatres … it is a shame. The two Gijima Males and one of the cubs are no longer.
I was always delighted to see the Gijima Males or to hear about them. They were very special male lions. I salute to the Gijima Males, brave fighters, smart protectors, great mates and caring leaders, but also shy and cautious.
I hope the Gijima Males are still walking together … somewhere!
Photo credits: Andreas Nienhaus
Manyeleti-Sabi Sands,30.1.2010
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
Obviously two of my favorites, thanks for posting!
Such a senseless killing of these males, because humans failed to fix their own fence— and then to also shot a cub.
Djuma Landowner’s account: “As we have no jurisdiction outside the SSW, we ultimately had to defer to MTPA's decision, i.e. to destroy the lions to remove the risk to the community and their livestock, and the rest of the pride. MTPA shot the two lions; unfortunately during this exercise a third male lion (the cub) was wounded but escaped. It took several days to locate him; he evaded trackers and tracking dogs. The lion was then observed in the SSW with the rest of the pride. In the hope that the lion could be saved and treated, the SSW called a private vet to dart and treat it. However, once the animal was tranquilized, it was apparent that its wounds were too severe and hence it was euthanized.”
*This image is copyright of its original author
It's a pleasure my friend,The Gijima males, Definitely were big and handsome males,Their magnificent manes remind me a lot to the Nkuhuma males (Blondie and Dozie.) Unfortunaly, They were killed by humans. What a shame!
2 Monwana males vs 2 Xikukutsus + Mapoza coalition
The Mapoza male and Xikukutsu males at sunset. Apparently they were resting before going after the two younger Monwana males they had had a scuffle with last night.
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
We caught up with these two young Monwana males who had a scuffle overnight with the Mapoza male and the two Xikukutsu males. These two young boys were agitated and moving quickly. One had two big puncture wounds to his throat. Very lucky to be alive...
althrought proper source would be facebook and instagram pages of Ziggi Hugo (Shindzela guide), Shindzela logde, Makanyi Logde and possibly yet somethink else.
Mid 2016
2 young Ross males vs 2 remaining Trilogy males
To set a bit of a back story: 1. In mid 2015 Avoca/Giraffe coalition vacated Avoca pride and moved further south. 2. Young Ross males tryed to take advantage from this opportunity and moved into that arena. 3. It wasn't long after that when 3 (yet by that time) Trilogy males also moved into the arena seeing opportunity for a easy territory gain. 4. 2 Ross males being no match for 3 prime Trilogy males moved away, further north. They chassed away lone Mabande male and takeover his territory. They were still without a any pride under controll, so they had a rather poor land, kind of half nomadic status (with territory but with no pride). 5. Trilogy males mainly focused on Giraffe pride and so Avoca pride did not really had proper dominant coalition with only Trilogy males showing themselfs with a pride from time to time.
6. Up to mid 2016 Ross males got older, bolder and most importantly one of the Trilogy males passed leaving only 2 males to defend territory. Ross males moved back south to again try to establish themselfs as Avoca pride dominant males.
The Trilogy males had a fight with the Ross males this morning. So this morning while we were waiting for the Ross male to mate with the Avoca lioness, the other Ross male sleeping about 30 meters away from them the two Trilogy males appeared. The Trilogy males chased and the Ross males ran. We could not see what was happening but heard them fighting deeper in the bush. After a while I found one of the Trilogy males with loads of fresh scars on his face and completely covered in blood. I talked to Rico from Makanyi and he found one of the Ross males afterwards. He said he has big cut on his leg and was struggling to walk. The other Ross male was seen far from him and he was moving east. The Trilogy males were moving back west again. Will try and find the Ross males afternoon to see how they are doing..But the bigger Trilogy male was the one doing the fighting he received all the new cuts and scars. Photo and update by Johan Smalman at Shindzela Safari Cam
*This image is copyright of its original author
News of the Ross Males from Makanyi Lodge
This is the update from Johan "Update on the Ross males. We found the Ross male with the Mohawk this morning mating with another Avoca lioness. He has almost no new scars on his face or body. Just a bite mark on his right front paw. His leg is swollen and he is struggling a bit to walk on it. So it looks like the Ross males chased the Trilogy males off. Seeing that the Trilogy males moved off west again right after the fight and that the Ross males stayed in the same area still mating with the Avoca lionesses."
Video of Fabio Ross with Avoca lionesses on kill: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1761710597433023&id=1463381790599240
The before and after photos of the Trilogy male and the Ross male fight. Originally i thought the Ross male did not receive any new scars from the fight. But looking at the photos it must have been one epic fight between the two of them.
Credits to Johan Adolf Smalman
Scarface Trilogy:
*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
*This image is copyright of its original author
Tyson Ross:
*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
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
After that encounter Trilogy males totally abandon Avoca pride.
So based of this, 2 Xikukutsu are prob sired by Trilogy males and not Ross or Avoca/Giraffes, right?
Also, did the Ross males dominate Avocas all the way to 2018 when they move to Ngala??
Trilogy males arrived a bit too late (somewhere in late 2015) to be fathers to Xikukutsus. They must have been sired either by Avoca/Giraffe or Ross males.
Kind of. After Ross males pushed out Trilogy males for good, 2 Sumatra males appeared in the region. It was again very unstable time for Avoca pride. Avoca lionesses were mating by that time with both Ross and Sumatra coalitions. Later on one of the Sumatra males disapeared and the remaining one moved out of the arena. Cubs sired by Sumatras were killed off by the Ross males. Ross males also moved away to Ngala after some time vacating Avoca pride. All the cubs sired by Ross males in Avoca pride died out as well however to some disease. In the end you can say they were dominant over Avoca pride all the way to 2018, but for part of it they shared dominance in the region with Sumatra males and in the end they left no surviving offspring in Avoca pride.
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(12-13-2020, 02:13 PM)Potato Wrote: Trilogy males arrived a bit too late (somewhere in late 2015) to be fathers to Xikukutsus. They must have been sired either by Avoca/Giraffe or Ross males.
Kind of. After Ross males pushed out Trilogy males for good, 2 Sumatra males appeared in the region. It was again very unstable time for Avoca pride. Avoca lionesses were mating by that time with both Ross and Sumatra coalitions. Later on one of the Sumatra males disapeared and the remaining one moved out of the arena. Cubs sired by Sumatras were killed off by the Ross males. Ross males also moved away to Ngala after some time vacating Avoca pride. All the cubs sired by Ross males in Avoca pride died out as well however to some disease. In the end you can say they were dominant over Avoca pride all the way to 2018, but for part of it they shared dominance in the region with Sumatra males and in the end they left no surviving offspring in Avoca pride.
But, by that report Ross males came later then Trilogy males, in mid 2016, and Trilogy in late 2015 after Avoca/Giraffes abandon them.. Xikukutsu are born in late 2015/early 2016..
Ross males came in in mid 2015 (September?), were seen mating with Avoca lionesses, then moved away being pressured by Trilogy males somewhere in late 2015 and then returned to the arena in mid 2016 when Trilogy coalition were down to 2. Xikukutsus were born in early december 2015. They were the only litter of cubs in that pride in that time so we can be sure what it comes to that date and the lion's pregnancy least 100 days so they were sired around September 2015.
(12-13-2020, 02:36 PM)Potato Wrote: Ross males came in in mid 2015 (September?), were seen mating with Avoca lionesses, then moved away being pressured by Trilogy males somewhere in late 2015 and then returned to the arena in mid 2016 when Trilogy coalition were down to 2. Xikukutsus were born in early december 2015. They were the only litter of cubs in that pride in that time so we can be sure what it comes to that date and the lion's pregnancy least 100 days so they were sired around September 2015.
Also i found this images of Avoca pride by Makany Lodge around that time:
December 2015
*This image is copyright of its original author
March 2016
*This image is copyright of its original author
So those subadults are still N. Avocas and their litter?
Theres no sign of new cubs tho..
Also it seems that as you said, neither of those coalitions where dominant over Avocas, only prob mating with them occasionaly..
But yea, it seems that Xikukutsus are most likely sired by Ross males..
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(12-13-2020, 02:13 PM)Potato Wrote: Trilogy males arrived a bit too late (somewhere in late 2015) to be fathers to Xikukutsus. They must have been sired either by Avoca/Giraffe or Ross males.
Kind of. After Ross males pushed out Trilogy males for good, 2 Sumatra males appeared in the region. It was again very unstable time for Avoca pride. Avoca lionesses were mating by that time with both Ross and Sumatra coalitions. Later on one of the Sumatra males disapeared and the remaining one moved out of the arena. Cubs sired by Sumatras were killed off by the Ross males. Ross males also moved away to Ngala after some time vacating Avoca pride. All the cubs sired by Ross males in Avoca pride died out as well however to some disease. In the end you can say they were dominant over Avoca pride all the way to 2018, but for part of it they shared dominance in the region with Sumatra males and in the end they left no surviving offspring in Avoca pride.
But, by that report Ross males came later then Trilogy males, in mid 2016, and Trilogy in late 2015 after Avoca/Giraffes abandon them.. Xikukutsu are born in late 2015/early 2016..
The white-faced Giraffe male was with the Avoca females on September 2015 and Xikukutsu males were born in December. Anyway, It was confirmed by Johan Adolf Smalman that the Xikukutsu males are sons of the Ross.
" It was confirmed by Johan Adolf Smalman that the Xikukutsu males are sons of the Ross"
Obviously he did not do DNA test to those males so how can he know that for sure Ross males sired Xikukutsus since Avoca/Giraffes still were around by that time lol
(12-13-2020, 07:13 PM)Potato Wrote: " It was confirmed by Johan Adolf Smalman that the Xikukutsu males are sons of the Ross"
Obviously he did not do DNA test to those males so how can he know that for sure Ross males sired Xikukutsus since Avoca/Giraffes still were around by that time lol
I stay behind the words of such a reliable source as Johan. Regards
12-14-2020, 12:34 AM( This post was last modified: 12-14-2020, 12:38 AM by Tr1x24 )
(12-14-2020, 12:23 AM)Gijima Wrote: No idea the date on this but any idea if these could be the cubs:
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
There are pictures too of Bigger Maned S Avoca (in the front) with a cub. Could be another litter though that died out.
