Coalitions of Kruger National Park

[Potato]

A sad day to see a deceased male lion who had not yet reached his prime.  We could only speculate as to what happened to him.   We believe he entered the territory of a stronger coalition of males that led to his demise. We think that he was part of a young coalition of males who stood no chance against the powerful s26 males.  Their strength and experience was no match.  From a distance we could see the balance of the young coalition of males edging forward to see their fallen leader.  We could see that they were very skittish, the elephants chasing them repeatedly added to their visible vulnerability.  
After sitting watching for a couple of hours, a magnificent huge elephant wondered in the fallen lions direction, silence fell as we wondered what the elephant would do.  She edged forward and edged closer, the uncertainty was palpable, she seemed to sense that the lion had passed and respectfully gave him space and waled away.
It was a very emotional witness.  It might be natures' way, and survival of the fittest, but we believe we saw nature showing compassion and sorrow.

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