There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
On the lion front, we did manage to get a couple of good sightings of some of our large prides – the Mayambula Pride were seen regularly to the east of Tanda Tula Safari Camp this week, and we were spoilt one afternoon when all 20 members of the pride – including the two Skorro males – were found together! The seven lionesses left the cubs as it got dark to go hunting, and it was some sight to bump into these gals walking down the road…I cannot wait until the whole pride starts moving around like this; it will make for a memorable traffic jam! The following morning, we got a bonus lion sighting when Scotch found all seventeen members of the Giraffe Pride feasting on a recently caught zebra just to the east of Plains Camp. The sounds of seventeen lions fighting over the carcass was something not easily forgotten. Sadly, these lions moved back south and only the cubs popped up once more during the week. We did also hear the contact calls of a lion near the plains early one morning and followed up to briefly find a male lion moving into a thicket; despite trying to relocate him for most of the morning, he gave us the slip. We did manage to find him close to Savannah Dam in the evening, but I am still waiting a positive ID on this guy, as he didn’t appear to be either the Hercules or Sumatra males, yet he was roaring and scent-marking, so I am sure I just misidentified him. The week ended off with the Mayambula Pride again making their presence known around Machaton Dam in the east.
(07-31-2022, 05:50 AM)Tr1x24 Wrote: Geurnsey male and younger Monwana male (Trilogy male son) are challenging 2 Skorro males:
Photo credits : bush_maniac
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
Very interesting, Skorro males are prime beasts and quite experienced in these situations, so young guys need to be careful.
About time to be somethink happening in the lion dynamics in Timbavati. There is so much young up coming coalitions out there and not a single vacat spot that some confrontation has to happen. If Geurnsey and MOnwana males wouldn't be able to take on Skorro males on their own, they can potentially join forces with Giraffe and older Monwana. Being 4 in a coalition they would be big force. Also other option for those two could be dodging Skorro males and insteed of targeting Myambula pride, target Western pride which should be easy target and would bring much needed stability for this pride.
Its amazing to witness the dynamics that exist between lions within a pride. Here we have the Western pride feeding on a kudu kill. The younger cub is the biological sun of the Nharhu male, however the elderly male is not. Observe that both are feeding and fighting over the leftover carcass. The Nharhu male steps in and immediately defends his own.. chasing the juvenile male away. We often times wonder if this male will make it to adulthood given the constant strive and disregard he endures from the Nharhu male.
