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.
I know people are interested in the numbers of cubs and all, but I personally try not to pay too much attention to that and take it for granted, like many fans....because, well, things can change very quickly. Look at the Mangheni 12 (all pretty much perished over the age of 2), the Styx Subs, and how sickness/death can suddenly strike prides/coalitions....how the nomadic stage, especially for males, is very precarious. The overall number when they reached age 3-5 years, very obviously, will be lower....how much lower, can only be determined by luck/strength/competition/how long their sires are in power, etc.
07-29-2024, 02:32 AM( This post was last modified: 07-29-2024, 02:32 AM by BA0701 )
(07-29-2024, 02:24 AM)Cath2020 Wrote: I know people are interested in the numbers of cubs and all, but I personally try not to pay too much attention to that and take it for granted, like many fans....because, well, things can change very quickly. Look at the Mangheni 12 (all pretty much perished over the age of 2), the Styx Subs, and how sickness/death can suddenly strike prides/coalitions....how the nomadic stage, especially for males, is very precarious. The overall number when they reached age 3-5 years, very obviously, will be lower....how much lower, can only be determined by luck/strength/competition/how long their sires are in power, etc.
While we are all aware of the realities and dangers these cats face on a daily basis, but I believe we can all agree, if there was a pride capable of pulling off such a monumental feat as seeing this many cubs to adulthood, the Kambula/Ntsevu pride would surely be towards the top of anyone's list. They did not reach their current pride size by not caring for their young. They have always been a larger than average sized pride, and even after recently going through a split, they continue to be so.
My point is that it's too early to tell how many will survive in the end, not that they are not good pride males or anything like that. So far so good, but the harder tests come later on, when the males age more, the cubs are older and demand more food, when they bump into more competition nearby, when they seek out mates and prides, etc. Many large prides are doing well, not just the Kambula one, but so far the Giraffe Pride and B'ham Prides are holding their own. The count seems to have gone down a bit with the G. Pride, but not by half or anything. Plus, one of the males passed away awhile back, leaving poor Hercules to pull all the weight. He's doing extremely well!
(07-29-2024, 09:36 PM)Mapokser Wrote: What causes mange, exactly? First in the Kambula pride, now the Ntsevu pride.
Its a skin disease caused by parasites.
It shouldnt be a problem for healthy adult lions, but for cubs and unhealthy lions can be fatal, as their immune system is weaker.
Was Ginger sick, before he got mange? I thought he was healthy, until he got infected by it. Mange is treatable, but as we all know SS doesn't do veterinary care for non-human involved issues..
(07-30-2024, 01:06 AM)BA0701 Wrote: Was Ginger sick, before he got mange? I thought he was healthy, until he got infected by it. Mange is treatable, but as we all know SS doesn't do veterinary care for non-human involved issues..
If Ginger was healthy, he would survive mange, he was old aswell, ~ 12-13 yrs of age (I didnt heard that mange killed healthy adult male lion, atleast not in Kruger).
The following 1 user Likes Tr1x24's post:1 user Likes Tr1x24's post • BA0701
As far as I know I’m 50/50 on him being healthy I remember he and hairy belly arrived in the western sabi sands not in good health and I think hairy belly was worse than ginger and that’s what the othawa cubs are gingers
(07-30-2024, 02:03 AM)Ttimemarti Wrote: As far as I know I’m 50/50 on him being healthy I remember he and hairy belly arrived in the western sabi sands not in good health and I think hairy belly was worse than ginger and that’s what the othawa cubs are gingers
No, he wasn't that healthy, else Ginger would not have succumbed to mange. As is well-known, mange strikes the old and very young, whose immune systems are compromised. Subs can get mange, too, if they are extremely stressed, undernourished, and fighting for every morsel of food.
