Lions of Timbavati

[Herekitty]

Some excellent shots of the Blackdam male in Thornybush. Images by Henrico Muller, November 2018.

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[Herekitty]

Giraffe male at Thornybush. Image by benn.pics, November 16, 2018

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[Peteporker]

Herekitty Wrote:@Peteporker I think this article by this article by Chloe Cooper from Jan 15, 2013 may answer those questions:  

THE ONGOING SAGA BETWEEN THE ROSS PRIDE VS THE GIRAFFE PRIDE has never failed to attract attention, especially given the tumultuous history these prides share. The Ross Pride in particular has a much publicised following that many readers have tracked religiously. Since 2008, when the borders between the Klaserie and Timbavati nature reserves were dropped, the formidable strength of this large lion pride has been fractured. The triumphs and successes match the tragedies that these lions have suffered, yet the Ross Pride continues to create excitement as they determinedly defend their territory in the Klaserie. Their opponents, true to tradition, are the members of the Giraffe Pride.

Each of these Kruger heavyweight prides is led by strong males that were once part of a coalition of three. Two of these males, hailing from deeper in the Timbavati, took on a few of the Ross females who had hung well below the radar between the years 2010 and 2012 after their dominant leaders, Tyson and Fabio, had been killed in a lion hunting incident. The Good and the Bad, as this leading pair is known, have bravely brought this pride out of the pits of destruction and now represent a strong and fierce male presence in the Ross Pride. Suffering tragedy after tragedy, this grand pride – once twenty females strong and reigning supreme under the leadership of Scar Face up until 2008 – has defeated the odds, and now, more than ever, fuels the fire of the lion fans.

In order to gain a full understanding of the might of this group of lions and the strength of the bond of a pride, it should be known (for those who may not have followed the story from the beginning!) that this spectacular group of beasts puts up a fight each and every time the arch enemy presents an attack. After losing two fearless leaders, the remaining pride members retreated and the end of their legacy was speculated, as the fading group of females and cubs scavenged and hid for their own protection. Without a territory to call their own, a pride of lions will not survive the odds. Over time, three females and fourteen cubs died and the remaining members of the Ross Pride were not seen very often for two years.

In late 2011, in a miraculous turn of events, old Ross Pride females were spotted around the Klaserie. Two Timbavati males were stepping up to stake their claims and territory was once again up for grabs. These comeback males, aptly named the Good and the Bad, for their contrasting physical appearances, regrouped this ailing gang of females and took them back to old Ross territory. All seemed to be looking up when these lions produced a few litters of cubs, including two rare white lion cubs!

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The Giraffe Pride, accompanied by the third member of the previous male coalition, also boasted two thriving white lions and a coalition of young strong males; including Brutus – a particularly menacing member of the group and no doubt, a future King! Young Giraffe King Brutus and his brothers.

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As soon as the future looked optimistic for the Ross lion pride, an unhealthy and desperate female started preying on the young cubs that were so fundamental in growing the pride once again. Eventually this burdened female passed away and it was possible for the Good and the Bad to lead their pride toward success.

Over December and January, the Ross Pride ate well and is gaining strength once again; however, it merely takes a territorial scuffle to remind one that these two ferocious teams are in a game of survival of the fittest, and they are not about to share the title! At a buffalo kill made by the Ross Pride, just too close to the Giraffe Pride territory, defense set in and the battle for land lifted dust high into the air as four Ross females were attacked and chased off their hearty meal; sadly losing their last living cub in the fight.

Aside from a bit of healthy competition, the handsome Good and the bedraggled Bad seem to be striding to the top of the ranks and present a formidable challenge to any potential young guns. One of the females is pregnant and the Ross Pride is hanging around the Africa on Foot & nThambo territory (known as “Ross”, hence the name of the pride) providing superb sightings right from the lodge viewing points. Still timid when approached on foot, these lions have been frequently spotted from game vehicles and are creating an excitable buzz, as lion lovers gear up for a powerful revival of a renowned pride! Images of the Good and the Bad.

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https://www.sunsafaris.com/blog/2013/01/the-klaserie-lion-lowdown-ross-pride-vs-giraffe-pride/

So there we go, the dominant males of the Ross pride up until 2010 were named Fabio and Tyson, and the two current Ross males are often referred to as Fabio and Tyson junior. This suggests that the current Ross males were fathered by them, but it means the current Ross males are at least 8 years old. Now to answer the question of whether Fabio and Tyson senior were part of the old Ross male coalition; the answer appears to be yes. The article states that the Giraffe pride was controlled by one male who was brother to the previous two males who controlled the Ross pride, and we know the Giraffe pride was dominated at this time by the old Ross males.

That's my take, it's not explicit so let me know if you got the same impression.

Thanks Herekitty. Another great post with good history on the Old Ross Males. 

I got the same impression from the article that the Old Ross Males were a 3 member coalition as well.  I know that the Old Avoca and Giraffe Males were half brothers that eventually formed a coalition together and this article help shed some light on that story as well.  Their common connection being half brothers is connected by the 3rd Old Ross male that was with the Giraffe pride. Reply

[Herekitty]

(11-19-2018, 09:03 PM)Potato Wrote: Thanks for answer.

This was the video from Tintswalo Safari Lodge I was looking for in answer to your question.

Amazing display of dominance as the Red Road Male shows this young Birmingham Male who is boss! The Red Road and the Koppies Male look like they might be joining a coalition with the two young Birmingham males... 

And here is an image of the Red Road male by Christof Schoeman at Tintswalo, August 18, 2018. A rotated reflection of a young and upcoming king of Kruger!

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[Herekitty]

Big maned Mbiri. Image by Chad Cocking at Tanda Tula, November 21, 2018

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Mbiris on patrol. Image by Greg McCall-Peat, November 20, 2018

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Mapoza male by Emily Hunter at Makanyi Lodge, November 20, 2018

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Looking forward to getting back into the swing of things in a few days time. This gent is looking mean, being in charge of black dam pride and having to rule over a pride of 13 lions gives a boy some testosterone. Giraffe male at Royal malewane by Darryl Camden-Smith, November 21, 2018

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[Herekitty]

Mbiri balls relaxing. Image by Lizzie Dean, November 23, 2018

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Giraffe male with a love scratch on his nose. Image by Sarah Barker at Royal Malewane, November 23, 2018

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Birmingham lionesses and cubs. Images by Rebecca Louise at Ngala, November 22, 2018

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Ross male Tyson junior and Birmingham lioness give a post coital pronouncement. Video by Steve Walker at Ngala, November 22, 2018

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[Herekitty]

Credit: Luke Street at Tandas Tula, November 23, 2018
Just a little further down the dry riverbed, one of the Zebenine females lies in wait. After 45 minutes, the buffalo finally decide to cross, they are weary and cautious but their thirst gets the better of them. As they begin to cross the Mbiri male slowly starts to descend the river bank, then quickly and suddenly the buffalo begin to stampede. Out of the far right the lioness gallops directly at them as the Male chases them, causing pandemonium. The buffalo run straight across as the lioness intercepts them, a dust cloud covers the scene as the female hits a young buffalo calf hard. The Mbiri rushes to her aid and chases the rest of the herd off. Success, the big cats will dine nicely tonight.

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An incredible hunt and kill my guests and I witnessed a few days ago. Incredible to see the tactics of the lions (both Male and female) coming together perfectly like a well timed symphony.
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Check at Greg Mcall-Peat for some images he captured from the other side of the riverbed as the final breath of the young buffalo was taken. 

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Image by Greg Mcall-Peat at Tanda Tula, November 23, 2018

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Big maned bro with Zebenine and cubs. Video by JANA, November 24, 2018

Image by Kristin V at Tanda Tula november 24, 2018

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Image by Greg Mcall-Peat at Tanda Tula, November 22, 2018

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[Herekitty]

Machaton male. Image by Jochen Van de Perre, November 25, 2018

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While one of the northern Avocas takes a drink at Manyeleti. Image by Eni Naj, November 21, 2018

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The youngest Giraffe brother at Thornybush. A few of the Blackdam females are slowly coming into estrous again, and the Giraffe male has been very busy patrolling the perimeter of the territory in an attempt to ward of any suitors. Image by Rudi Hulshof, November 25, 2018

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The singular looking Mbiri boy at Tand Tula. Image by Sharon Classen, November 25, 2018

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[Herekitty]

(07-04-2017, 11:08 PM)sik94 Wrote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4RTrmDtfw0

These guys fathered the acova males that are in sabi sands right now. They also fathered the older avoca males(older brothers of the avocas with the same name still in the Timbavati), the 5 giraffe males, and the young Ross males as well. They lost their territory to the Trilogy males and became nomads, one of them died and the other one is presumed dead.

Actually, these are the two lions - the Good and Bad - who took over the Ross pride when two of the Ross males were shot by hunters in 2010 Reply

[Herekitty]

Mapoza male with Avoca pride at Avoca Bush Camp. The sub adult males have as of yet been kicked out. Images by Em Gatland, December 2, 2018

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[Herekitty]

Giraffe male in the south of Thornybush. Image by Alyssa Mateer, November 27, 2018

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Image by Darrel Camden-Smith, December 30, 2018

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Image by Rudi Hulshof, December 2, 2018

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Trilogy male in the north of Thornybush. Image by Keith Ladzinski, November 26, 2018

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Image by Riccardo Sberna, December 2, 2018

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Image by j.coulter November 30, 2018

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Blackdam male whole travels around eastern Klaserie, western Timbavati and northern Thornybush. Image by Nikita Niki Moonsamy, December 3, 2018

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[jordi6927]

Does the Mapoza males right eye and eye socket area look swollen? Does anyone know what happened to this eye? thanks Reply

[Herekitty]

@jordi6927 he's had the eye since he was a subadult and it's only gotten more opaque over time. He used have a brother who was dominant to him and maybe he picked up a scratch scrapping with him and it deteriorated from there. His brother disappeared like a lot of lions do in the Timbavati where a number of lions are permitted to be hunted each year. One of the Sumatra males went missing, the dominant giraffe male too. Excuse my french but it's a sad fucking state of affairs. Image by wildtrackersafaris, November 30, 2018

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[Raj8143]

(12-03-2018, 02:40 PM)Herekitty Wrote: @jordi6927 he's had the eye since he was a subadult and it's only gotten more opaque over time. He used have a brother who was dominant to him and maybe he picked up a scratch scrapping with him and it deteriorated from there. His brother disappeared like a lot of lions do in the Timbavati where a number of lions are permitted to be hunted each year. One of the Sumatra males went missing, the dominant giraffe male too. Excuse my french but it's a sad fucking state of affairs. Image by wildtrackersafaris, November 30, 2018

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maybe coz of hunters or fight i guess!!! Reply

[Herekitty]

Blackdam male at Royal Malewane. Image by apafricaphoto, November 24, 2018

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This male lion has turned into a beast! What a champion. Giraffe male by Darrel Camden-Smith at Royal Malewane, December 4, 2018

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Machaton male at Mohlabetsi. Image by Daniel Lamborn, December 1, 2018

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And with some of the 10 Kudelya pride cubs sired by the Machatons. Image by 2s_discovervanlife at Mohlabetsi, November 27, 2018

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Buddy of the newly minted Orpen pride. This guy and his mate are the culprits that awoke me in Tamboti Camp at 2:30 in the morning when they made a kill. Image by danadatk December 3, 2018

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