Gijima coalition

[Potato]

Since those two males now firmly are establishing themselfs as one of the dominant male lion coalitions of Sabi Sands it is time they have thread of their own.

https://www.more.co.za/blog/welcome-to-the-gijima-males-of-lion-sands/?fbclid=IwAR0V4FHklGnusZJG8cdhpyNBAh4yoa8Tl6d1FrWbROoKdxM5hHWS9wyr1GM

Welcome to the Gijima males of Lion Sands

*This image is copyright of its original author

Unpredictable and dramatic at the best of times, the lion dynamics of Lion Sands were turned on their head by the unexpected arrival of three young males quietly crossing the Sabie River from the Kruger National Park and sneaking into the western reaches of our property.


At this point, the territory within Lion Sands belonged to the Ndhzenga males, an older and more experienced coalition, which thus far had fiercely defended the land and the prides within it from competing lions. Because of this, no one expected the newcomers to stay long, and when the Ndhzenga eventually killed one of the young brothers, it was assumed the remaining two would leave the area completely.

Remarkably, the two brothers chose to remain on Lion Sands, strategically avoiding any further altercations with the Ndhzenga. Being unsure of their surroundings and unaccustomed to vehicles, the young nomads would run every time we attempted to approach, making sightings challenging and giving rise to their eventual name, ‘The Gijimas’, which means ‘to run’ in the local language of Shangaan.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Under the protection of the Ndhzenga males, the Styx and Southern prides where flourishing, and any threat that the Gijimas posed to their young seemed minimal. That is, until the Ndhzenga unexpectedly abandoned their Lion Sands territory in pursuit of new land and females to the north, leaving the Styx Pride and the Southern Pride defenceless against the Gijimas.


The Styx Pride was particularly vulnerable to an assault by the Gijimas, with 11 young cubs that would be killed by the males if caught in order to mate with the females and eliminate another male’s offspring. To prevent this, the three experienced Styx lionesses moved with stealth and caution around the property until eventually, they pushed north into unfamiliar territories to protect their cubs from the Gijimas.

The situation of the lionesses of the Southern Pride was slightly different; with two female sub-adults of about two years old, the likelihood of the Gijimas males trying to kill them was minimal. This is because they would be considered part of the pride rather than the cubs of another male. Since the arrival of the Gijimas, the adult lioness has been seen mating with the brothers on several occasions. More recently, there have been sightings of the lioness and her daughters together with the males, which presents the exciting prospect of a growing pride.

Over the last few months, the Gijimas have become a near constant presence on Lion Sands, making them far more relaxed around our vehicles and treating us to exciting sightings. Since their entrance to the property, they have had few encounters with other males, so predicting their future here is near impossible. Who knows if the Ndhzenga will one day return to defend their territory? But with the Gijimas growing in confidence and strength, it seems unlikely that they will be easily overthrown.

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