the Selati coalition

[Fredymrt]

]Photos and information by: Greg Coates

Dec 2011

Southern Pride Male Lions

"As we left the lodge one morning drive we were surprised to see a young male lion perched on top of a termite mound just outside the lodge. We were not immediately sure of who he was but as we approached we discovered there were in fact a further three male lions behind the mound! It became evident then that it was the four young males from the Southern pride who, after last being seen here six months ago, have grown up a lot and are looking like real contenders for a territory. They still seemed wary of being in Mapogo territory but that did not stop them taking down an adult buffalo on our eastern border. They fed leisurely until the next day when distant roaring announced the imminent arrival of two of the Mapogo brothers. It is not certain how the Mapogo detected the presence of the younger males from up near the river but the young coalition was not going to stick around to find out. They abandoned the carcass and put a good few kilometres between themselves and the older males as quickly as possible. So while it was exciting to see the young coalition looking to investigate the west, it is evident that they are not confident enough yet to take on even just two of the Mapogo, never mind all three!"

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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