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Styx Pride
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 (09-20-2023, 09:30 PM)Duco Ndona Wrote: Its interesting how much of a role cubs can play in the dynamics of lions. Having or losing your cubs at the right moment can make all the difference. Very true. In scenario, where takeover of certain area happens, where are for example 2 prides of similar numbers, 1 without cubs/subs and other with cubs/subs, pride without cubs/subs will first accept new males and automatically will become main pride in the area, as pride with cubs/subs, to save them, will be forced to become semi-nomadic/full nomadic. Even if females of that 2nd pride came back to estrus (they maybe lost cubs, or subs grown up and split, or whatever), mate and give birth to cubs of these new males, they will always be on backfoot as 1st pride already have older cubs/subs, who will reach maturity sooner and be helpful in territorial battles. In this case, SP female got very lucky that both Ndhzengas and Gijimas came in perfect time for her and she mated with both of them first. If Styxs where first on Ndhzengas, today we would prob see around 8-10 strong territorial Styx females under Gijimas (i assume they would accept female subs as they did 2 SPs) and SP female would be either dead or hiding in the bushes. Luck of being at the right place in the right time is crucial, bu not taking away anything from SP female, she is on a track of being one of the legendary lionesses. But Styx's sub females stil give hope, they might turn around and overpower SP in 2 years if they stay here and can reach adulthood with those numbers.  (09-20-2023, 05:38 PM)Duco Ndona Wrote: Its not their fault. They dont keep track of the movements of their lionesses on a daily basis. Infact, lionesses typically do their best not to let the males know where they are. Especially when denning, but also while hunting so they can have some hours on the kill before the males arive. Not to mention that the Gijimas have their own duties away from the prides. Especially now. Well no, but that is one of their main roles. To keep out rival males and protect the lionesses they have mated with and cubs they have sired. Why do you think they patrol their territory? The reason the Tsalala lioness survived the Kambula attack was because of the Birmingham males, mainly Tinyo. That's what they're supposed to do when two prides under their control come into conflict. Doesn't always go that way though. The Tsalala girl survived an attack from a whole pride, but the Styx lioness gets killed by one lioness and two subs? That must have been a slow death. Again, poor girl. And it's the Gijima males' offspring that will now die. 
The Tsalala incident is more an exception than the rule.
She was lucky on of the Birminghams was around and intervened. But it could just as easily ended with him choosing not to. Male lions are not the police of their territories. They just take prides for mating and food and protect that from other males but otherwise let the lionesses do as they please. They are not the kings ruling over their loyal subjects.  (09-21-2023, 09:49 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: The Tsalala incident is more an exception than the rule.Wasn’t tinyo the first male that arrived and he didn’t know who she was then nhenha came in hauling you know what lol (09-21-2023, 09:49 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: The Tsalala incident is more an exception than the rule. Nah, it's definitely part of the job description. Why do they kill so many hyenas then? And there is so much footage of males breaking up fights between lionesses in the same pride, they definitely don't 'let the lionesses do as they please', what a load of crap. Yes, she was lucky, lucky with the embankment too. But not the exception, there are other instances where this happens. It wasn't her only scrap with Kambula lionesses either, where one of the males intervened. Obviously they can only do so much though. But they absolutely do break up fights between rival lionesses or prides when there's a clash in their territory. I didn't say they were 'kings'.
They attack hyenas becouse they are competive for food and have learned from a young age that hyenas are to be hated. This happens regardless if they are nomadic or with a pride and cubs.
A male lion may intervene if they are present. But even that depends on how the fight unfolded and who they favour. They can just as easily decide to stay on the sidelines and just watch their own cubs being killed. Or pick a side and help kill the lioness. Ultimately they are not going out of their way to prevent conflicts like this or the prides from interacting. They dont ban the pride from entering an area they known another lioness is denning or tell the pride to leave a lioness alone. They dont police the lionesses and when they are on patrol, which they often are, simply have no clue what the pride is doing at the time. The Gijima males were doing exactly what they were supposed to do. Patrolling and protecting their territory. And not hanging out with the pride to prevent drama like this.  
So do we know which Styx subadults are littermates? I’m pretty sure the biggest girl and floppy ear are littermates
FE seen w his 5 sisters. I’m hearing concerns for the whereabouts of the last Styx adult lioness. She has apparently not been seen or at least no confirmation. I did see a video from a guest that said 7 lions were present which would indicate the mother was there. But there were only 6 lions seen in the video. Let’s hope she’s fine and it’s just folks worried over nothing.
“ Styx Floppy Ear with his sisters in Kirkman’s Kamp, recently the 7 members (1 adult lioness, daughter of Birmingham & the 6 sub-adults) of the Styx pride were seen which is a very good news after the death of the matriarch Majingilane daughter by Southern/Selati pride Credit - Jade van Heerden”
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Based on tracks moving through our reserve, five female members of the Styx Pride covered great distance hunting during the evening. We finally caught up with the pride, where they had successfully taken down a large male waterbuck, providing the pride with a good meal.
So either this sighting was the 5 sub adult lionesses, and the Birmingham daughter is indeed missing, or FE and his sister are absent. Hope they're okay. And glad they've headed back north-west, would hate for them to disappear into Kruger.
Good to see the girls hunting well though. As there are five of them and they're approaching 3 years old, they should be okay. The Kambulas were 3 when they separated from the Mhangeni pride, and look at them now. Hopefully these young Styx girls can do the same.
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It’s been a while since we last saw the Styx pride, here the five subadult females brought down a large waterbuck.
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The Styx lioness finds herself in a tricky situation trying to get out of the river. 
So, all the recent sightings seem to mention 5 female subs, but no mention of FE or the last Styx Lioness, which is a bit concerning.
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