Lion tales

[Tr1x24]

2 GOLF COURSE MALES

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This 2 males where born into Souther/Selati pride in late 2002/early 2003, sired by Rollercoaster males. They also had 3 brothers who eventually split from them. 

With their fathers Rollercoaster males moving further north in 2007, all 5 young males take the chance and mated with their natal Selati pride lionesses. Towards the end of 2007, split happened in the pride, and 3 brothers moved of with some pride members into Kruger, nobody knows what happen to this males. Remaining 2 males become the dominant males of the remaining Selati pride in the south parts of Sabi Sands. They sired cubs with Selati pride, of which where 5 male cubs, later to be known as the Selati males. They where also dominant males of Charleston pride for short period, but abandon them, prob because off pressure from 3 Toulon males. None of their Charleston cubs survived. 

In the late 2008, 2 Golf Course males where seen eating a buffalo in MalaMala, later to be reported that buffalo was infected with TB. Shortly after 2 males where seen weak and in not good condition, but they recovered towards the early 2009.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

2 males where very different in their looks, 1 was blonde and more dominant of the 2, 2nd male was dark maned one with a slight limp on his leg. 

Towards the end of 2009 it was reported that 1 male is missing , it was the blonded male. Nobody knows exactly what happen to him, but there was a report in Dec. 2009 from Londolozi that 2 Mapogo males mr. T & KT killed an adult lion near airstrip. Its not confirmed but its very likely that this was Blonde male. 

This was the end of the Golf Course males as the kings in the south of Sabi Sands, as remaining dark maned male was heavly outnumbered against 3 Toulon males, who takeover the Southern pride. He become a nomad. 

*This image is copyright of its original author

In the first half of the 2010, remaining male was first seen roaming around western sector (Mapogo territory) and later on further north in Arathusa and Elephant Plains. At first rangers didnt recognize him due to mane loss and bad condition. In that time he was known as Arathusa male. 

Reports from these reserves where that his condition was decreasing over time. His old limp was a big problem because he needed to hunt alone. He mostly relied on scavaging kills from leopards, hyenas and some lions. Few times he was chased away from kill by Majingilanes and 2 young Nkuhuma males ( Sizanani and his brother). In Oct. 2010 he joined 2 young Nkuhuma males on a kill, who after few beatings alowed Golf Curse male to feed with them. He was seen hanging with 2 young males for few more days. 

But he died shortly after on Nov. 9th 2010, his body was found in Londolozi, cause of death TB, which he couldnt fight in this weakened state. 

More on this brave lion and his story for survival on Londolozi Blog:

https://blog.londolozi.com/2010/11/15/li...j_-oaIaUns

This is a sad story about 2 beautiful and impressive lions who left us too early, at the age of only 7 and 8. Their legacy lived thru their sons Selati males and Southern Pride, if im not mistaken, their daughter is still alive, older one of the 2 remaining Southern pride lionesses. 

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