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Lions of Manyeleti
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Hi @Dangeroscos let me try to answer your questions.
First of all I recommend this video, starting from minute 14:25 for a background story about Red Road. He has been a lone territorial male for basically his whole life but when he was young he had a partner, the young Koppies male. See attached photo (and the video is the source of that photo). - About his clashes (that I know of). RR is known of his head lock fighting technique and being a very fierce fighting male. At lleast two real fights are confirmed and filmed, one against Mandevu whom he had in a head lock and the other one against the Kambula males. RR obviously does not have the numbers but he uses his Nharu pride / females to his advantage, they often help him in the fight. They did that in the Mandevu fight and also one female helped him against the Kambulas (the fights are on youtube and this thread). - Other than those two filmed fights, I believe there were strong rumours that he was in a fight with the S8 male (also lone territorial male south of RR's territory). RR probably had multiple fights / chases by the Tintswalo males. During that time the Tintswalo males (3 males) pressured his territory. - Regarding invading other territories to keep enemies at bay, yes, I believe this can be an effective strategy. In a video of Tintswalo Lodge from a few weeks ago (youtube, look it up and it is also discussed in this thread), they filmed RR returning from Kruger side (east Manyeleti border), with small wounds on his face and legs, indicating he had been in a 2 vs 1 fight. But he returned roaring and nothing serious damage wise, so they said he probably won the 2 vs 1 fight (possibly against competing young males). So for instance what can happen is that a territorial male hears other (young) males roaring in the distance, and decides to check it out. Maybe this happened here. - However, being a lone male, he of course has to be smart in picking his fights and evading danger. For instance the two Mantimahle lions are relatively close to his territory at the moment, and RR would probably not survive a 2 vs 1 versus those two males. Being a lone territorial male for like 5+ years he must have had a lot more fights than we know. - Regarding the possibility of him taking over another pride with his son, I don't know. He is bonding with his son, which is indeed quite old to be still with the pride. His other sons disappeared much earlier. Red Road will get ousted at some point and yes, he could then venture off with his son. As a nomadic duo is then imo more likely than as a territorial duo but we will have to see what happens. It would be good for inbreeding. But for now we must hope that the cubs survive to say 12+ months of age. - RR son is developing into a big young male. In terms of strength he will probably surpass his father (who is aging, but still in great shape) sooner than later. But yes he lacks the fighting experience of his father of course. Young males like him often are not used to the real dangers yet of other territorial males and then they may flee if they encounter one. He will have to build up this experience before he is a viable fighting partner for his father. But, of course, the son's presence now already helps in protecting the pride (especially the cubs, since the son is not actively on patrols but seems to stay close to the pride all the time). |
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