The Mighty Mapogos

[Andyhis]

(04-30-2018, 04:53 PM)OTshokwane Wrote: Credits to Greg Coates.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

The lodge has been so busy over the last few months that I literally have not had a chance to blog! The sightings have however remained amazing as always and here is a brief summary of the predator viewing since Feb. 

Probably the headline news is the four young Southern Pride males (now known as the Selati Males) taking over from the three old Mapogo’s. The Selati brothers had been exploring Mapogo territory for a few months but had always retreated at the sign of a confrontation. One night in March however the Selati Males came across the Mapogo’s on a buffalo kill in front of the lodge and split the older males up. Sataan was separated and the Selati males chased him for many kilometres before catching him and viciously attacking him (video). Sataan eventually died of his wounds and the two remaining Mapogo’s, Makhulu and Skoro, have been roaming nomadically to our east ever since.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Sounds a plausible to explain start of conflict between Mr T and 4 selatis. Sad to see and end to a great coalition. And sad also to see man’s influence in these great animals such as the killing of dreadlocks and of their 5 sons the sand river males. Also more generally the loss of habitat to man and their lack of tolerance for these animals as can be seen when they venture outside of the park through no fault of their own. Also what is everyone’s views on conspiracies regarding Kinky tails and rastas death. On reflection it seems plausible either way that kt and Mr T could have been split up when confronting majingalane males or darting is plausible. Same for rastas death either fighting majingalane or was poached . Would like to think former as it’s a reserve and would hope their is no human interference other than fence which in itself can be restrictive by not allowing free movement of predators and prey. Reply