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The Matimba coalition
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hmm,
did the Matimbas take over the control of the Mangeni pride from the Majingilane? there are 4 lioness if I am not wrong,  (07-09-2016, 11:46 PM)Majingilane Wrote:(07-09-2016, 10:59 PM)LionKiss Wrote: hmm,I don't think so. It may be a false oestrus, to keep them away of the young cubs. what cubs? the subadults? or the new borns? There is a photo of Ginger with the newborn cubs so they look like the Matimbas are the fathers Quote:what cubs? the subadults? or the new borns?The new borns. Quote:There is a photo of Ginger with the newborn cubs so they look like the Matimbas are the fathersThe pic was of Ginger with the cubs they have with the Tsalala pride. The cubs of the Mhangeni lionesses I don't think have been seen by either of the coalitions, wheter is the Matimbas or Majingilane
there is a Londolozi report saying that the Mangeni Lioness with the 4 newborn cubs came closer to the Matimbas,
History of the 6 Matimba Male Lions
The first time someone heard of Matimbas was in Manyeleti 6 of them in March 16, 2010. By the time, we have properly known them, they have already started pushing the dominant Males of the area. And in oct 10 2010, they took over their first territory when they attacked and ousted the dominant Male Dozie of the area. Then they were unstoppable, they begin the take over of the other prides and by the start of 2011, they have ousted the dominant Males and taken over all of the prides in Manyeleti and in the surrounding areas. With each day their territory continued to grow and extended out of Manyeleti, stretching into parts of Kruger, northern Sabi Sands, and Ngala. That was a large territory to patrol! They covered enormous distances, it was a perfect example of these cats incredible physicality. We assume it was because of the lack of much lion prides in the area. All was going well for the Matimbas but in December 2012, the leader of the coalition (Ndhuna) suddenly disappeared but the other 5 members of the coalition did well to hold onto power without the protection of the bigger and older Ndhuna. As the time passed, the Matimba coalition was unchallenged. Their territory continued to grow so as the distance between them. By the end of 2013, the Matimba separated into 2 Coalitions. 3 further ventured into North, while the other two started to spend more time south into Manyeleti and Sabi Sands. Since 2010, the Matimbas have defended their kingdom and defeated many coalitions. The list includes : Dozie, 3 Original Skybed Males, 2 Gijima Males, 7 Orpen Males, 4 Machaton Males, 5 Giraffe Males, 3 Old Ngala Males, 3 Fourways, 2 Styx Males. They were undefeated until 2015, when a coalition of 5 Males (Birmingham) came and pushed the Two southern Matimbas out of northern Sabi Sands. But This wasn't the end of the two Southern Matimbas, they went to west and challenged the Majingilane coalition of 4 Male Lions for their eastern territory. And after some epic battles, it now seems that they have displaced the powerful Majingilane coalition and are the new kings of Londolozi and surrounding areas. The 3 Northern Matimbas are still in charge but since January 2016, one of the Males has been reportedly missing and presumed dead by the lodges. That leaves the coalition to only two Males and open to other younger coalitions in the area. Matimbas have been very successful Males genetically and have sired cubs with numerous prides. The numbers count well over 40 offsprings. Majority of these cubs have been sired by the both coalition with southern Matimbas contributing in somewhat 35 of them. The prides Matimbas have sired cubs with are, Mibri, Nkuhuma, Talamati, Torchwood, Styx, Red Road Pride, KNP skittish Pride, Skorro Lion Pride. Northern Matimbas have one or two more prides in KNP and Ngala area which we don't have any info about them. And also Southern Matimbas have two new prides in Central Sabi Sands, the Tsalala and Mhangeni prides. The Matimbas were born in 2006 and despite reaching 10 years old. The mighty Matimbas continue to rule and sire cubs till today. Starting from 2010, the Matimbas are in their sixth year in reign. By Darren Donovan Photo credits: Tintswalo lodges  *This image is copyright of its original author
From the Londolozi blog, a very interesting article:
Lion Warfare: Who’s Chasing Who? by by James Tyrrell. As mentioned a few days ago in an update on the Mhangeni pride, no-one can really predict with any amount of certainty what is going to happen from one day to the next. One of the hot topics of debate is exactly what would happen in a Matimba vs Majingilane clash, should a proper one ever occur. We have seen the two coalitions roar back and forth and chase each other, but there has yet to be a sighting of actual physical conflict, although we are certain that they have made proper contact before. Blood in the road and bits of mane, as well as a badly cut up Matimba male were sure signs that the two groups had met on at least a couple of occasions. So far, what we have generally seen is a retreat by the Matimbas, but having said that, it is only fair to mention that that has been when the Majingilane have made a show in force, by venturing east with at least three of their number. The latest encounter was different. Rangers heard roaring near Londolozi’s western boundary, an area one of the Matimba males had been seen in the day before, and it was naturally assumed that it was the same lion(s) vocalising. Ranger Greg Pingo and tracker Equalizer Ndlovu caught sight of a male lion moving quickly through a rocky section, sniffing around and bellowing continuously. As he was shortly afterwards joined by a second male, both Greg and Equalizer presumed it to be the Matimba males, chasing the Mhangeni sub-adult males. This was by far the most likely scenario. It wasn’t long though before Greg gave a further update, that these were in fact the scar-nose and dark maned males of the Majingilane. Both were roaring all the time, and they were clearly on the scent of other males. No answering roars were forthcoming, and the Majingilane pair began moving east, into Matimba territory. All of a sudden from up on the crest came the roar of two more male lions. On the spot and without hesitation, both Majingilane turned and began moving quickly back westwards, not deigning to roar again. The duo of the Matimba males answering back was enough to deter two of a once mighty brotherhood. The ginger-maned Matimba male.  *This image is copyright of its original author Last year we ran a post on a sighting in which two of the Majingilane chased one of the Matshipiri males off a wildebeest kill, pursuing him for a long way. As soon as that first Mathsipiri male met up with the second, a few kilometres away, and they roared back in unison, the two Majingilane quietly turned and hastened back westwards, without roaring again. This clip documents that encounter from last year: “Pick your battles” would seem to be the mantra of the Majingilane, and so far it seems to be keeping them going. I really don't know what the Majingilane wanted going there, but anyway it's good to see the Matimba males standing up to defend their little territory, because this time it isn't just them, but their young cubs with the Tsalala females.
Hairy Belly
From Londolozi  *This image is copyright of its original author Some of the best photos on this recent safari were taken at night, or in this case, real early morning, Credit to Edward L. Hubbard  *This image is copyright of its original author
From Londolozi
A Matimba Ginger male lion tests the urine of a Mhangeni lioness to check if she is ready to mate. The Mhangeni pride have been on and off Londolozi of late, scattered and in unusual groupings, making it hard to keep up with their movements.  *This image is copyright of its original author A Mhangeni lioness brushes up against a Matimba male lion on a cool winter’s morning. This pride finds itself in a difficult position, being caught between both the Majingilane and Matimba coalitions.  *This image is copyright of its original author HB Credit to Graham Wood  *This image is copyright of its original author
Northern Matimba Males on a kill in Orpen. Soo big. Must be the biggest Males in Kruger.
Credits to Iqra Battol  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Pics of two days ago :)
Hairy Belly
Credits to Trevor McCall  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits to Joan Schmiedeshoff Hammond
 *This image is copyright of its original author
Southern Matimba males, pics from July. Credits to Oliver Sinclair.
They have always been gorgeus males, and now they seem to be in perfect condition. I think their case shows the resilience these animals have, because it's not easy to be chsed away from the comfort of your own land by a stronger coalition. True, last year they weren't old, but 9 years old isn't a young age either. Still, they managed to find a vacant territory, to takeover a pride that wasn't dominated by any coalition and evidently they showed they were strong enough because the Tsalala lionesses accepted them and sired young cubs with them. (Besides, do you think any lioness would reject the hairy one?...) There are a lot of advantages of being a lion, but that doesn't mean it's easy, especially being just two in a place were four or five is a number much stronger. So cheers for them.  *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
The Matimbas patrolling, credits to Nick Kleer.
 *This image is copyright of its original author
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