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Lions of Sabi Sands
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21/08/24
MalaMala Game Reserve, South Africa Safari Highlights with Pravir Patel "As we left the camp, a call came in on the radio that three male lions were running and roaring straight towards the Sand River. Knowing that there’s only two dominant males in the area, this could only mean one thing. An incursion. The three males (Nkuhlu coalition) were moving with intent. It was extremely difficult to keep up with them, but our guide Nic did a great job and managed to trail them as they covered ground. They all crossed the Sand River and the Matshipiri River before settling down for a while. But all their roaring alerted the two dominant males (Ndzenga coalition) of the area. We could hear them roaring in the distance, and the three males also took notice. The numbers game wasn’t going to work, as the three intruding males backtracked and crossed the rivers to return to where they came from. Perhaps this show of force was a start of things to come. " crooked tail Nkhulu male #5  *This image is copyright of its original author
 (08-26-2024, 08:53 PM)Mapokser Wrote: I agree with KM600, I think they were just enjoying a meal and chasing Tumbela off to defend their territory and food, it's not like they seek the Manghenis to pay a visit like they do with Ximhungwe, regardless of food involved. I dissagree with interpretation that Ndzengas defeated Plain Camp males. In fact I wouldn't even call that confrontation. That was just a border dispute. Both parties roared a bit and after a while each side went their separate ways. At this point it doesn't seem like PC males intend to challange Ndzengas for anythink and symmetrically doesn't seem like Ndzengas intend to challange PC males over anythink. We could say Ndzengas defeated PC males if for example Ndzengas would beat PC males and stole their kill or some females. In thios case however it was just meaningless encounter with no winner and no prize. Also you say Ndzengas defeated Black Dams. Ndzengas cought one of the Black Dams and mauled him, but in another encounter also BD males cought one of the Ndzengas. In those encounters Black Dam male took worst injures and therefore we could say Ndzengas seemd to be stronger duo, but it wasn't like Ndzengas totally dominated Black Dams.  (08-27-2024, 02:28 AM)Potato Wrote:(08-26-2024, 08:53 PM)Mapokser Wrote: I agree with KM600, I think they were just enjoying a meal and chasing Tumbela off to defend their territory and food, it's not like they seek the Manghenis to pay a visit like they do with Ximhungwe, regardless of food involved. So what about the gijimas and nhkulus chasing eachother all the time? (08-27-2024, 03:08 AM)Ttimemarti Wrote:(08-27-2024, 02:28 AM)Potato Wrote:(08-26-2024, 08:53 PM)Mapokser Wrote: I agree with KM600, I think they were just enjoying a meal and chasing Tumbela off to defend their territory and food, it's not like they seek the Manghenis to pay a visit like they do with Ximhungwe, regardless of food involved. I do not know. It is rather safe to say that Gijimas are not challanging for anythink, but is it the case other way around? Nkhulus are venturing quite deep into Gijimas territory. Even through it is not full scale invasion (yet at least), the bussiness between those two coalitions is quite serious. (08-27-2024, 12:12 PM)Potato Wrote: It is rather safe to say that Gijimas are not challanging for anythink, but is it the case other way around? Nkhulus are venturing quite deep into Gijimas territory.Tr1x has already talked about it and i agree, it seems much more like the Gijimas are invading and challenging Nkhulus than the other way around. Nkhulus boldest move was more recently with two entering there and going after Southern pride   (08-27-2024, 05:17 PM)T_Ferguson Wrote: So, the smaller BDM is still not in great shape. What happened to him?? That injury is different from his old leg injury. Very ironic that he kinda looked like Dark Mane Avoca there..same type of injury and limp. BD is in good condition so hopefully he can walk on it comfortably in a few weeks. Are Mohawk and BD still hanging out with a couple of the nkuhuma lionesses and Mohawks son? There’s been consistently 3 lionesses hanging with Plains Camp males. It looks like the prime might split.  (08-27-2024, 05:46 PM)GhostCatP-22 Wrote:(08-27-2024, 05:17 PM)T_Ferguson Wrote: So, the smaller BDM is still not in great shape. They are still hanging out together, think it was yesterday I seen an update of the BDM with the Nkuhuma YM. Mohawk and the BDM seem to split up every now and then which is a lil weird considering they’re not dominant males, but always rejoin one another. Ironically, I think the BDM may have also reinjured his paw while hunting like DM. They’ve had no physical altercations with any male lions as far as I’m aware and aren’t fighting each other for mating rights. Makes the most sense it happened during hunting, seems too severe for it to just be from him lying down for too long.  (08-27-2024, 07:30 PM)KM600 Wrote:(08-27-2024, 05:46 PM)GhostCatP-22 Wrote:(08-27-2024, 05:17 PM)T_Ferguson Wrote: So, the smaller BDM is still not in great shape. The angle of his wrist seems off to me, I hope he hasn't broken anything. This poor boy has already been through enough, he could use for things to go in his favor for once, both he and Mohawk could use each other's company. 
@Potato It wasn't just roaring tho, Ndhzengas and PCM were actively chasing each other around after PCM invaded Ndhzenga territory.
It ended with Ndhzengas chasing PCM deep into their own territory. Yes it wasn't a serious all out challenge for a pride/territory or even food, but both tried hard for hours until Ndhzengas prevailed, if PCM were much stronger they'd have done to Ndhzengas what they do to Kambulas, easy chase. As for Ndhzenga and BDM, Ndhzengas dominated with ease, MalaMala says that every time the BDM heard the Ndhzenga roars they'd retreat.  (08-27-2024, 10:09 PM)Mapokser Wrote: @Potato It wasn't just roaring tho, Ndhzengas and PCM were actively chasing each other around after PCM invaded Ndhzenga territory. wasn't Amahle going 1v1 with the bigger BDM and winning untill the smaller BDM came and help? (08-27-2024, 10:09 PM)Mapokser Wrote: Yes it wasn't a serious all out challenge for a pride/territory or even food, but both tried hard for hours until Ndhzengas prevailedWell then... we differently interpretate what happened there. (08-27-2024, 10:09 PM)Mapokser Wrote: if PCM were much stronger they'd have done to Ndhzengas what they do to Kambulas, easy chase.The think is that at this point there is no reason for them to fight, maybe aside Plains Camp males willing to push Ndzengas a bit further away from Nkuchuma pride. That is for now at least, assuming it is only border dispute and PC males won't try to push for take over of Kambula and Ntsevu pride which I assume they won't at least in the following year or two. (08-27-2024, 10:09 PM)Mapokser Wrote: MalaMala says that every time the BDM heard the Ndhzenga roars they'd retreat.BDM were venturing deep into Ndzengas lands and even beat one of them 2vs1. How is that retreating any time they heard Ndzengas. When venturing into their territory they must have be perfectly avare what they are up against (hearing Ndzengas and smelling their scent). After all they at that point were settled down coalition bortering Ndzengas for months, not a transpassing nomads, just happened to apear on Ndzengas lands without knowing who rules those lands. (08-27-2024, 04:38 PM)Ngonya Wrote: Tr1x has already talked about it and i agree, it seems much more like the Gijimas are invading and challenging Nkhulus than the other way around1. Gijimas already chassed Nkhulu at least on 3 different occasion from their own territory. 2. It is almost insane to assume that dominant duo would even consider expanding their territory on near by lands own by coalition of 6. 3. Even if we would take this assumpion as true, there is no real prize for Gijimas to takeover. Sand River females already have cubs and won't be willing to mate even if by some miracle Gijimas would oust Nkhulus. If/when those 2 coalitions will clash it will be over Styx pride females which are very much in Gijimas terriory. (08-28-2024, 02:05 AM)Potato Wrote:(08-27-2024, 10:09 PM)Mapokser Wrote: Yes it wasn't a serious all out challenge for a pride/territory or even food, but both tried hard for hours until Ndhzengas prevailedWell then... we differently interpretate what happened there. While it it true Nkhulus have only now really started to test Gijimas and seek them out, Gijimas definitely started off challenging them more this year than they themselves were being challenged. I remember one report, which I think ended up being confirmed, about the Gijimas chasing Nkhulus in their own territory and then mating with a Sand River Pride lioness. I don’t think Gijimas stopped going into Nkhulu territory recently because they fear them, I genuinely think after some of the younger Styx lioness accepted them and started to mate, they’ve had no real reason to leave. Gijimas are definitely still the more confident coalition. (08-28-2024, 02:05 AM)Potato Wrote: 1. Gijimas already chassed Nkhulu at least on 3 different occasion from their own territory. 1. not true unless you count nomadic Nkhulu, or maybe you can display the situations. 2. It seems much more likely they are only challenging Nkhulus in a attempt of keeping them on their toes, testing or whatever, dont know how to well describe. late December, Gijimas tried to invade Nkhulu territory but had the misfortune on stumbling at 5 of them. In other situation this year, there are videos of the Gijimas chasing what is said to be 3 Nkhulus, and guides in the video clearly from Kirkman's/Tengile (andbeyond). Also Gijima mated with a Sand River lioness shortly after. When four Nkhulus were seen being chased by one Gijima in that impressive video more recently, as me and Tr1x already discussed in Nkhulu topic, it seems more likely that Gijimas crossed Sabi Sabi border and got into Nkhulu territory, got chased as the reports say, and then all the chasing back and forth, until in MalaMala, Nkhulus gave the final word. The only Nkhulu invasion in Gijima territory i personally recall right now was the most recent, with two of them even chasing Southern pride iirc, but by himself, Blonde Gijima got rid of them. 3. Explained what i meant by challenging above. But it wouldnt be as insane as you make it look Its not impossible for Nkhulus to try and expand in the future, but for now, theres barely any sign of cubs in Sand River pride since May, so it seems unlikely. (08-28-2024, 02:46 AM)Ngonya Wrote: In other situation this year, there are videos of the Gijimas chasing what is said to be 3 Nkhulus, and guides in the video clearly from Kirkman's/Tengile (andbeyond). Also Gijima mated with a Sand River lioness shortly after.I was counting that one too. I though it was in Sabi abi (for whatever reason). (08-28-2024, 02:46 AM)Ngonya Wrote: When four Nkhulus were seen being chased by one Gijima in that impressive video more recently, as me and Tr1x already discussed in Nkhulu topic, it seems more likely that Gijimas crossed Sabi Sabi border and got into Nkhulu territory, got chased as the reports say, and then all the chasing back and forth, until in MalaMala, Nkhulus gave the final word.I was counting that one as well because at one point Nkhulus ended up very far into Gijmas territory, deep into Sabi Sabi. (08-28-2024, 02:46 AM)Ngonya Wrote: Its not impossible for Nkhulus to try and expand in the future, but for now, theres barely any sign of cubs in Sand River pride since May, so it seems unlikely. I would expect oposite. Nkhulus are entering thier prime and with their numbers are powerfull coalition, even considering not all of them are fully healty. I definitelly would expect them to seek more prides and lands around which we see by ventures of them into Gijima and most recently also Ndzengas lands. Anyway I think Nkhulus are very underestimated on this forum. |
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