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Lions of Timbavati
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Lions of Tintswalo: The Buffalo Are Back! Words by Paul Steyn, images by Neil Jennings, November 28, 2018
The summer rains have arrived, the plains are beginning to burst with grass, and that means one important thing: the big herds of buffalo are moving into the area, and it’s going to be an interesting time for the legendary buffalo hunters of the Manyeleti. As we’ve written before, the Lions of Tintswalo are renowned for their ability to bring down big buffaloes in dramatic showdowns that display their immense strength, strategy and resilience. Now, with the green shoots appearing on the plains, the buffalo are back and we are preparing for some exhilarating sightings in the months to come.  *This image is copyright of its original author Tintswalo’s regular prides have been out and about, and we’ve already enjoyed a few amazing sightings as the prey animals congregate around the water sources after the rains. Just this month, we have seen five different prides and three different coalitions of lions. The Mbiri Pride has not wasted any time with the buffalo herds, and recently took down a large bull. With all these kills, the Mbiri pride is looking incredibly healthy and strong. The sub adults are going to be big, mature lions and will soon be a force to be reckoned with, cementing their reputation as the Manyeleti’s ultimate hunting pride. In one incredible moment, the Nharu Pride managed to bring down a young giraffe. But as they were beginning to gorge themselves, the Mbiri Pride charged in and stole the kill in a fit of rage. The sounds of the battle echoed over us as the two resident prides, so well-known by all our guests, battled it out over the carcass. A few of the Nharus ran off, but, amazingly, some of them remained behind, determined not to lose their carcass without a fight. Perhaps to avoid further conflict, the Mbiris let these other lions feed on the carcass, and we were treated to an amazing sighting of the two prides eating together. None of the lions from either pride were injured in the fights. Perhaps these battles get to the point where the lions all realise that it’s better to share the food, rather than fight and hurt each other in the process. Or maybe, after so many years sharing similar territories, the lions know each other so well, and are willing to suspend their territorial instincts and share.  *This image is copyright of its original author The Mbiris really are a force to be reckoned with, and it seems they don’t go for long without a meal. Last month, The pride found an elephant carcass that had died of old age. The pride spent a lot of time with the old Avoca Males at the carcass, and as you can imagine, there was a lot of meat to go around, and this provided days of viewing for our guests. In other sightings, the Talamati pride was seen in the south, with one young Avoca Male, feeding on a wildebeest carcass. These males are amazing specimens and we are sure we will see little cubs soon! The Koppies pride is looking great and we viewed them on multiple occasions with two males growing in stature and into an impressive size. We’ve also encountered a new and interesting pride in the far north of the reserve, made up of seven females and five cubs. It’s always wonderful to find new lions! A whole new dynamic is brought into the region as they make themselves known to the other lions. We will be referring to this new pride as the Orpen Pride, and the two large males that move with them as the Orpen Males. These two males are very impressive and are moving further south into the reserve, becoming a threat to the Koppies males. It will be fascinating to see where this all leads!  *This image is copyright of its original author It seems there might be cubs on the horizon here too. The Young Avoca males have been hanging around with the Talamati females in the South. Up in the North, the Koppies Pride has been doing very well with the Red Road male and are covering large areas through the reserve. As always, the Lions of Tintswalo are in constant change and flux, as power dynamics shift and new blood arrives on the reserve. It’s important to remain up to date about who is who, so here’s the current breakdown of all the lions currently living near Tintswalo Safari Lodge. Orpen pride: 2x males, between 4-6 females and cubs of about 5 months. Male in pride is known as ‘Junior Nkuhuma’, originally from the northern Sabi sands and Southern Manyeleti where the Nkuhuma pride rule their territory. Koppies pride with Red Road male 3 females, 1 young male of about 1.5 years old Birmingham pride: 2-5 females, 2 young males of about 3 years old, pretty much independent now Mbiri pride: 11 individuals plus Nharu young male, 4 females, 7 sub adults about 2 years old, 1 young Nharu male 3 years old 3 Avoca\Giraffe males Age about 10 years Nharu Pride 11 - 3 females, 8 sub adults about 3 years old Talamati pride 5 females Avoca males 3 males about 5 years old Nkuhuma pride Last time we saw them there were 11 animals Torchwood pride Last time we saw them there were 10 animals  Herekitty Wrote:Lions of Tintswalo: The Buffalo Are Back! Words by Paul Steyn, images by Neil Jennings, November 28, 2018Its interesting that the Nharu sub adult male joined the Mbiri pride and then had a conflict with his own natal pride over the giraffe carcass. I wonder if he still remember his brothers, sisters and mothers from the Nharu pride and given the opportunity with the giraffe carcass, I wonder why he did not rejoin them.
Birmingham White Lion Cub Update: the cubs have all been introduced to the rest of the Birmingham pride and are looking strong. The Ross male coalition have also been viewed with the cubs, suggesting that the male coalition have 'accepted' the youngsters. This means that the cubs will now benefit from the protection and security of the pride and coalition. A very encouraging development. This is a crucial moment for the cubs of the Birmingham pride for a few reasons. Firstly, if the dominant males did not accept the cubs as their own, they could have killed them. Male lions potentially do this as a measure to insure that their own bloodline is secured within a pride and territory. But the male coalition here seemingly have accepted the cubs as their own. This development now means that the youngsters will benefit from the security of the entire pride and the dominant male coalition (the Ross males). Secondly, it means that the pride can work together to provide food for each member of the pride and cubs, possibly increasing the chances of the cubs survival. The youngsters are not eating meat just yet, but this will be the next step for the new Birmingham pride members. Images by Lyle McCabe at Ngala, December 5, 2018
 *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
(12-05-2018, 10:31 PM)Peteporker Wrote: Its interesting that the Nharu sub adult male joined the Mbiri pride and then had a conflict with his own natal pride over the giraffe carcass. I wonder if he still remember his brothers, sisters and mothers from the Nharu pride and given the opportunity with the giraffe carcass, I wonder why he did not rejoin them. Interesting indeed @Peteporker I wonder why he left in the first place, pressure within the Nharu hierarchy? I believe that most of the Nharu subadults are male. Or maybe he took off when the Avoca/Giraffes turned up and fled to the Mbiris. It seems like the Mbiris generally dominate the Nharu as there are four mature lionesses compared to three with the Nharu. It seems a lot of anomalous behavior has been recorded among the lions of Sabi Sands and Manyeleti in the last few years. Or maybe that's the norm and their behavior is just not that well understood. (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 I didnt know Timbavati allows hunting. Im assuming that is a privately owned reserve? Pretty sad shit
So the Ross males are the fathers of the white cub?
Any predictions if they will be able to control that pride long enough for him to grow? I assume he’ll be hunted in the future because he’s so rare
The King walking through his jungle. Mapoza Male. Image by Johan Smalman at Shindzela, December 6, 2018
 *This image is copyright of its original author
 (12-06-2018, 03:34 AM)Herekitty Wrote: White faced Giraffe male at Manyeleti Game Reserve. Image by Simone Paleari, December 5, 2018 this is the male who killed matimba male right? 
Orpen male Junior at Tamboti Tented Cam. Image by danadatk December 8, 2018
 *This image is copyright of its original author Mapoza male at Shindzela. Image by Nicolette Coan, November 27, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author Machaton male at Balule. Image by briiannaj, December 5, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author Youngest Giraffe male with Blackdam pride at Thornybush. Images by Cait Miers, December 8, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Trilogy male Scarface at Thornybush. Image by Darrel Camden-Smith, December 8, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author Ross male with Birmingham female at Ngala. Image by Michelle Walsh-Hall, December 7, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author Other Ross male with Birmingham cub. Image by Roan du Plessis at Ngala, December 6, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author Birmingham white. Image by Ian Lombard at Ngala, December 8, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author
Junior Nkuhuma is one hell of a majestic lion. Image by Emma Norris at Imbali, November 7, 2018
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Mapoza male. Image by Jacques Donaldson, November 25, 2018
 *This image is copyright of its original author Ross male Fabio looking hungry, hanging with his Birmingham cubs. Images by YoungJi Hong at Ngala, December 9, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Giraffe male with Blackdam crew. Image by Lauren Jade Hill at Thornybush, December 9, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author A very large male, one of two so called Kruger males passing through Ingwela. Image by Wes Roos, December 10, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author Machaton male showing good tolerance with his Kudelya cubs. Image by Pondoro Game Lodge.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Sumatra male at Shindzela. Image by kvabog, December 11, 2018
 *This image is copyright of its original author Image by Matt Mullins at Shindzela.  *This image is copyright of its original author Ross male at Ngala. Image by Amy Loffler December 11, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author Blackdam male at RTimbavati. Image by Ziggi Hugo, December 7, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author Machaton male at Balule. Image by Tristan Groene, December 11, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author Earless female at Thornybush. Image by Karolina Norée, December 12, 2018  *This image is copyright of its original author
Mapoze male. Image by Johan Smalman
 *This image is copyright of its original author Image by Jaco Joubert  *This image is copyright of its original author Image by Ziggi Hugo.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Birmingham female shows her incredible power. Video by Roan du Plessis at Ngala.
Ross male tries to sleep with Birmingham cubs. Video by Penny Mallory at Ngala. Birmingham subadults play around the carcass. Video by Roan du Plessis at Ngala. |
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