Lion tales

[T I N O]

Majingilane/Manyelethi males early days

Eyrefield pride and five male lions – 5 September 2009
Lions were seen walking quickly east from River Road, Flockfield lookout junction in the early morning, rangers followed up and the scene unfolded before them. The lions that were spotted from the road were five young male lions aged between three and a half and five years old. As vehicles approached they quickly moved off, shy of the vehicles the males kept us at a distance but were more intent on the buffalo carcass soon discovered. The Eyrefield pride were then found scattering from the carcass as the males approached. The males rushed in to claim the prize, that of a fully intact Dugga boy. The Eyrefield pride and the Rollercoaster male regrouped close to the river and made a push back to try and claim their carcass. The young males were having none of this and charged the pride, sending the Eyrefield lions scattering in all directions the males continued to feed on the Buffalo. The Rollercoaster male being the big bold male that he is ran before the young males, taking refuge behind the pride and wasn’t seen again during the confrontation. The females of the pride made several more attempts to try get the kill back but eventually accepted defeat and the pride moved off coming to rest in the Sand river close to Rattrays camp. The males remained on the kill for the entire day feeding furiously, fighting amongst one another for the choice bits. By the evening the carcass was done and in the morning the males had moved off. Reports from the north of six young males coming in from the Kruger might explain the presence of these males as they were shy of the vehicles either running away from them or becoming aggressive. Interesting times lay ahead if this new coalition stays in the area.
5 Male lions – 25 December 2009
A female adult buffalo carcass was found near the fourways on the eastern bank of the Matshipiri river, no predators were found but tracks of lions were in the area. A day later just further south of where the carcass was found 5 unidentified male lions were found, 3 very nervous and 2 relaxed males, they looked well fed and we suspect also the lions responsible for the buffalo kill. They did not hang around the area for very long, we think they are the same 5 male lions that attacked the Eyrefield pride a few months back and that they come from the Kruger Park, thus they are so nervous around vehicles. However we left them heading east back towards Kruger and we hope they will visit more regularly and set up territory on northeastern Eyrefield.
Five male lions – 14 February 2010
Many tracks of lions were found as we were following the large herd of buffalo during the morning drive. A young male lion was found a short way off from the herd, and was heading in the opposite direction. He met up with another two young males who were lying up in some thick brush just off the road. The three lions then headed west again, and led rangers to a sub-adult buffalo kill. At the kill another two young male lions were found, but as soon as they saw the vehicles they took off running. These five male are the same youngsters that were seen in the area several months ago, and are the same ones that chased the Eyrefield pride off a buffalo kill near Rattray’s Camp last year. They come from the Kruger National Park - hence the nervous nature of some of the individuals. Thankfully at least two of the cats were very relaxed. One of the lions dragged the kill into some thick bush where he and his sibling fed from it. The other less relaxed males stayed in the background whenever vehicles approached.
Five male lions – 15 February 2010
The same five males seen the day before were tracked to Two Toes Open area where they had made another buffalo kill. This time the buffalo was an old sickly female which they had obviously picked off the back of the herd. The kill was nearly finished - flesh only remaining along the spine and around the skull. During the day only three of the lions were seen. The more nervous two were not spotted. Whether they were in the vicinity or not no-one knows, buts it is highly unlikely that they would have split off. By the next morning the buffalo was finished and tracks of the males indicated they had returned to the Kruger National Park.
Three male lions, two female lions and a young male lion – 20 March 2010
Tracks of lions were found following the buffalo herd around Clarendon Dam. As rangers went to follow up, three young male lions were spotted on the Kruger National Park break, just south of Clarendon Corner. The lions were nervous of vehicles and quickly retreated into the Kruger - dragging with them the remains of a baby buffalo carcass. Rangers suspect that these three might be part of the coalition of five young males which we have started seeing along the eastern part of our property.
As rangers worked the area taking in the buffalo herd, some zebra and the resident jackals, another three lions were spotted lying in the gulley north of Clarendon Dam - two adult females and one young male lion. One of the females was nervous of vehicles while the other two were relaxed and allowed us to approach. These lions could possibly be part of the Windmill pride, or perhaps a pride from the north that we occasionally see. During the night, the male lions may have come across the pride hunting the buffalo and either attacked them, or simply stolen their kill.
Two young male lions from Kruger National Park – 11 & 12 April 2010
The two male lions were still hanging around the remains of the giraffe carcass. The animal had died as a result of a lightning strike a few days earlier. They still seemed a little uneasy, even though the rangers had been watching them for the last few days. The older one (which is also the the oldest in the coalition) was the more relaxed of the two, and even chased off vultures and jackals loitering nearby so that he could eat in peace. His mate soon moved off as well. However, as soon as he realised that he was alone, he called softly and then ran off in the direction of his younger mate. The rangers waited for a while and then returned again later, but there was no sign of the lions. Patience paid off for the waiting vultures and jackals which proceeded to make short work of what remained of the carcass. The following day, the rangers found all five lions looking fat and happy on the eastern border of the Kruger National Park. The coalition moved from there into the Kruger National Park – their territory. Hopefully as they mature they will attempt to expand their territory into the eastern parts of MalaMala, which in turn might encourage them to become more relaxed around the vehicles as they’ll come into more regular contact with them.
5 Male lions from Kruger and Styx lioness mating – 22 April 2010
These males seem to be settling well in the north eastern parts of the property. Two of the five males were found fast asleep on the road near Clarendon Dam in the very north-eastern parts of MalaMala. Something in a south-western direction caught their occasional attention, and when the rangers investigated they discovered a third male with a Styx lioness. The lioness was flirting with the male and then lying down in a mating position. This behavior is common in leopards, but with lions it is usually the males that do the work. Normally all the lioness will do when faced with a potential suitor is give her consent. After a lot of flirting the two were finally seen mating, although the male was not entirely at ease and eventually led the Styx lioness into some thicker bush where he could conduct matters in private. While this was going on, the other two males were found not too far away on the Matshipiri Dam wall. Rangers were baffled by the lioness’ odd behaviour as the Mlowathi males are dominant in the northwest and seem to have control and dominance over the Styx pride. The fact that this female was mating with the new males who have yet to set up a territory on MalaMala, not to mention being far too young to defend an area or protect a pride, is strange indeed. Time will tell if this was just a false estrous or if this lioness actively sought out these males. Even though the Mlowathi males are not dominant around the north eastern corner, the five new males have made no challenge on the area. However, with females showing interest and the possibility of establishing a pride for themselves, perhaps this will spur them on. They lack experience though, so at the moment that gives the big Mlowathi males the upper hand.
Five male lions – 8 May 2010
Lion tracks were found following the herd of buffalo around Charleston. The herd was close to the river in the open, but without any sign of lions. It was then, right in the front of the herd, that two lion heads could be made out in long grass. Two young male lions were lying watching the buffalo advancing towards them. As the buffalo approached their hiding spot, they charged. The buffalo initially stampeded away, but quickly regathered to face their foes. Charging back at the lions, the buffalo sent them scattering for cover. In the afternoon rangers went to look for the cats again, but when they were found lazing in some short grass, their numbers had multiplied. There were now five young male lions - the five from the Kruger National Park - and they were still eying the buffalo herd. As the sun set, the lions moved towards the buffalo. Waiting for darkness, the lions trailed the herd until they spotted a bull lying down ruminating. Gathering their forces, the male snuck closer. Just at the crucial moment, the bull got wind of them and came to full alert. Having seen off the threat, the bull slowly trudged after the herd - followed by the lions. For the next two hours the lions attacked the buffalo, with the buffalo successfully repelling each and every attack. The lions would regroup after each failed attempt, slide around to another side of the herd and try again. But each attempt was met with an impenetrable wall of horns. Finally the lions gave up and settled down as the herd stampeded east.
Two Styx lionesses take down a male buffalo and the four Kruger National Park males arrive – 24 June 2010
With all the action and excitement of the Bicycle Crossing male the night before, rangers didn’t think it possible that it could get any better. But boy were they wrong!
A large herd of buffalo was found moving south in the lower reaches of the Mlowathi River. They had moved off the property the day before, but seemed to be making their way back towards the Sand River for water.
While following the herd rangers saw a lioness to the east on the river bank. She was soon joined by another lioness, and rangers identified them as two Styx pair. As the buffalo walked passed them it looked as if they were trying to pick out a victim. They moved around to the back of the herd where they almost succeeded in isolating a young male calf, but it alarm called just in time and a young bull quickly came to its rescue. The lionesses then diverted their attention to the young bull. They jumped on his back, but as fast as they got on he shook them off again.
When this happened the rest of the herd caught fright and started running south out of the area. They settled down about 250m further south, before continuing in the direction of the Sand River. In their panic they’d left the bull isolated, and the two lionesses took full advantage of the situation. They made a few more attempts to pull the bull down, but each time he chased them off. It almost seemed as if he was enjoying giving them the runaround in the river bed. Unfortunately his antics came to an abrupt in when he followed the lionesses into the mud and thicker reeds. The tables were turned and it didn’t take long for the two of them to bring the bull down. He alarm called loudly, but his herd continued south and he was left to fend for himself. Neither lioness made any attempt to try and suffocate or muzzle the buffalo bull, and straight away began biting into him and feeding. One of them ripped open his rump, while the other started on his chest. They were essentially eating the young buffalo alive. The sighting was gruesome, with the buffalo bellowing helplessly as the lionesses ate. It was close on an hour before one of the lionesses tried to muzzle him, but after a few minutes she let go again and continued feeding.
Just as one of the rangers was leaving the sighting he saw the four remaining young males from the Kruger National Park. They’d come to investigate after hearing the buffalo’s distress call. The lionesses had no idea how they were going to suffer for not muzzling or killing the buffalo. As soon as the first male arrived on the scene one of the lionesses ran off, leaving the other to control the still alive buffalo bull and fend off a male lion. The buffalo saw an opportunity to escape and stood up, but the combined force of standing with a lioness on his back and a male lion coming at him from the side, his hind leg snapped and he fell to the ground again. Within seconds the Kruger male had moved into position and started suffocating the buffalo.
However he didn’t relish the idea of having to do the dirty work while the lioness carried on eating. And so he too gave up and just started feeding. After that two more males arrived began feeding. In the end it took well over an hour before the buffalo eventually died from blood loss and shock. The Kruger Park lions quickly sorted out the feeding hierarchy, and the remaining Styx lioness was caught in the crossfire. With a number of small fights breaking out around the carcass she was dealt some nasty blows in the process.
In-between bouts of feeding the young males scented, a bold move indeed considering that they were right in the middle of the Mlowathi male’s territory. The second lioness came into the area a few times over the next two days, but was chased off by the males. The second lioness continued to feed while simultaneously fighting with the Kruger lions. When she eventually left she had some gashes to her flank and neck from the males.
On the last night and following morning the four young males roared in an attempt to establish themselves in the area, but after a while the Mlowathi male responded from the west. It’s going to be interesting to see what develops regarding this territory!
4 male lions from Kruger National Park found marking and establishing territory – 1 July 2010
Tracks showed a number of male lions coming south on the eastern bank of the Sand River, from Paraffin Drift towards West Street. With the dead lioness found in the area the day before, rangers think the tracks might belong to the four Kruger males. If their assumptions are correct the group was probably returning to what is likely to end up as the heart of their territory (the middle of Eyrefield and the eastern parts of MalaMala around the Kruger Park boundary) after chasing off the Marthly pride and Mlowathi male. When rangers found the four they were on the MalaMala – Flockfield boundary, and moving east towards the Kruger National Park. They all looked to be in very good condition and were moving as a close unit. This will stand them in good stead as they try to establish dominance in the area. They spent the warm part of the day resting in the Hogvaal Donga (a big gully system). By nightfall they got up and moved east, eventually crossing over into the Kruger National Park to mark out the eastern parts of their territory.

One male lion from the Kruger National Park and two unknown females – 20 July 2010
After finding tracks of a male lion around Rhino Walk and tracking them for over an hour, rangers eventually found three lions in the thickets near Clarendon Dam. The male appeared to be one of the four Kruger National Park males. They were all well fed and very relaxed. After a while the male got up and left the two females, he headed east and called softly as he went. He was most probably looking for his brothers, because this early in the establishing of their territory they need to stay as close together as possible in order to protect each other.
It didn’t take him long to cross back over into the Kruger National Park. The females didn’t follow him however, choosing instead to stay put and digest their food. They both appeared well fed and content. The lionesses are new to the property, and it’s more than likely that they left their own territory in order to follow this newly dominant male into the area. Rangers have been hoping that these four Kruger National Park males would bring a new pride with them, and this appears to be the first signs of exactly that. That evening the three of them were together again, roaring and calling before they moved off back into Kruger .

Two lionesses and cubs – 18 August 2010
Two unknown lionesses that have been seen infrequently around Claredon Dam over the last couple of months, were found around Matshipiri Dam with their four cubs in tow. After drinking from one of the small puddles that the dam has now been reduced to, the pride then moved southwards away from the dam and towards a large gulley system. They spent the remainder of the day there resting in the shade. The four cubs, which are probably in the region of three months old, took turns harassing the females. Their games were tolerated to a point, but eventually their disgruntled mothers made their displeasure known. As evening approached the pride started to get active, with the females looking as if they might go hunting. Due to the age of the cubs they are still not being viewed after dark, so rangers left them to themselves as soon as darkness approached. At that point the females still in the immediate area.
4 Kruger National Park and three Styx lionesses with a pair mating – 26 August 2010
Roaring was heard in the middle of the night through to the next morning. This resulted in much excitement in camp, with rangers and guests all hoping it was the 4 new males from the Kruger National Park. These new males seem to be taking over from the Mlowathi males, especially as Mohawk (the last Mlowathi male) hasn’t been seen for a number of weeks now. This confirms reports that he has joined up with his older brothers in the west.
Two of the Kruger National Park males and a Styx lioness were found near Mlowathi Dam, and before long rangers noticed that the one male was mating with the Styx lioness. Another clear indication that they are taking over in the area. On leaving this trio, the remaining two males and another two Styx lionesses were found sleeping in the thickets about 200m up the road. The mating pair continued throughout the day and into the next. Much later that evening that the rest of the lions got up, roared and moved north again, until they eventually headed off of MalaMala entirely.
1 Kruger National Park male and 1 Styx lioness mating – 27 August 2010
All the other lions had moved off the property the night before, but the mating pair seemed content to stay in the shade and mate. The frequency in mating had subsided, indicating that they were coming to the end of the cycle. That said, they were still mating and for the time being that remained their main priority. Late in the evening they got active, and led by the female, they set their sights on a herd of impala. The hunting was short lived however, because the male soon lost interest and wanted to mate again. They then made their way north towards the area where the rest of the pride was last seen. They were eventually lost when they continued north towards their mates.
2 Kruger National Park male lions patrolling – 28 August 2010
Late in the afternoon two of the new young males from the Kruger National Park were found on the northern boundary of MalaMala. Tracks indicated that they had come from the south and were searching for something. The roared a few times and called softly before continuing north. They might have been looking for their brother that was mating with the Styx lioness, or perhaps they were just patrolling in their ongoing bid to establish themselves within their new territory.
Four male lions from the Kruger National Park – 6 September 2010
Late into the night drive a ranger came across the four males around Matumi Rocks, they were all full bellied and fast asleep. The group was reported to the west of the property a few days prior, but it looks like they’d finished whatever they caught there and made a welcome return to MalaMala’s side of the river. The males roared throughout the night, and everybody was eager to get out there in the morning to find out what had taken place during the night. Little did we realise the action that was yet to happen.
Four male lions from the Kruger National Park, two Marthly lionesses, Emsagwen male, Campbell Koppies female and the large male from Sparta (leopards) – 7 September 2010
Rangers set out eagerly to follow up on the four male lions. As they headed into the area they found tracks of two leopards heading towards the last area the lions had been seen. As they rounded the corner they found the Emsagwen male and the Campbell Koppies female on Matumi rocks. The pair was still mating, albeit with much less frequency. As they moved off the rock they parted ways, and so the mating marathon finally came to an end. A ranger trying to keep up with the Campbell Koppies female crested the ridge leading out of the Sand River to find the four male lions and two of the Marthly lionesses lying in the open. The lions weren’t aware of the leopard’s presence, but the leopard had vanished into thin air so she’d obviously seen them and taken off.
In the meantime the Emsagwen male disappeared into some thick reeds and was lost as he headed in the direction of the lions. Another ranger arriving in the area found the large male from Sparta lying about 50 meters away from the rest of the lions and leopards. He wasn’t in a good mood. The reason for his displeasure was soon revealed when the Emsagwen male was rediscovered just east of him in a tree, where he was feeding on the remains of a male bushbuck. The Emsagwen male must have bumped into him while trying to find the Campbell Koppies female and chased him off the kill. Although well fed, the large male from Sparta was still incredibly irritated at having lost his meal to his rival.
In the meantime the Emsagwen male took the kill out of the tree and started dragging it over the ridge. What he didn’t know however, was that he was heading straight to where the lions were sleeping. As he crested the ridge he saw the lions and immediately did an about turn, but not before one of the lionesses spotted him and gave chase. The leopard climbed a skew Jackalberry tree with the kill, but the lioness scaled the tree in a flash. As soon as the Emsagwen male let go of the kill she was onto it. The lioness had the leopard cornered at the top of the tree, but she was unsure of her footing in the tree and so didn’t attack the Emsagwen male outright. The leopard wasn’t taking any chances though, and tried to attack the lioness in the hope that she would either fall or back off. Unfortunately this tactic didn’t work. The lioness fought back, and after a brief scuffle the Emsagwen male jumped out of the tree and quickly scaled a nearby Sausage tree. No sooner was he up the tree when the four male lions crested the ridge and made straight for him. The remaining Marthly female eventually appeared on the scene, but knowing her chances of getting any of the bushbuck were slim to nothing, she just lay down to watch the ensuing chaos.
The lioness stayed in the tree and fed off the kill, while the four males circled the base like sharks waiting for scraps to fall. The unscarred male even made several attempts at climbing the tree, but each time he’d get halfway and then remember that lions aren’t actually supposed to climb trees and abandon his efforts. The lioness in the tree ate most of the kill, before dropping the two front legs. Needless to say these were greedily snapped up by two of the males. She then descended the tree and moved back into the open area with the other female. Two of the males followed them, and when the other two had finished their snack they joined the others on the crest of the river bank. All six lions then fell fast asleep. Only once the lions had moved off did the Emsagwen male cautiously descend the tree. When he reached the ground his bravado returned, and he made a big show of scent marking the tree that had held him safe for the past hour. He then strutted off down the road as if it was any other morning.
Four male lions from the Kruger National Park and the three lionesses from Gowrie – 8 September 2010
Tracks of both sets of lions went north along the Matshipiri River. The males were found first around the White Cloth, and not long after the females were discovered closer to the Matshipiri River. The females were heading towards the herd of buffalo that was also being eyed out by the males. As soon as the females spotted the males they took off in the opposite direction, but their hasty retreat didn’t go unnoticed and the males went after them. As they jogged through the Hogvaal Donga the females tried in vain to out maneuver the males, but the males’ dogged determination helped them close the gap. When the females realized the males weren’t going to give up, the two sub-adults took off southwards while the adult female turned north in the hope of drawing the males away from the youngsters. The tactic worked and the males went after her. She was eventually hauled in at Paddy Pools and the courting ritual began immediately. Running down the flanks of the dark maned male, she made as if she wanted to mate. She flicked her tail under his nose to further indicate her false intentions, but every time the male got up to mate she would turn and snarl at him. The wily lioness managed to keep all four males occupied in this manner for most of the morning, and in doing so kept them away from the sub-adult females.
Extract from old MalaMala sightings 2009/2010 Reply