The Mighty Mapogos

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MalaMala report:

"JULY 2000

7 ADULT FEMALES (between 6 years & 9 months and 6 years & 4 months of age)
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 22 months
1 SUB ADULT MALE * 22 months
1 CUB * 6 months
1 CUB * 5 months
3 CUBS * 3 months

Location: WESTERN MALA MALA/ WESTERN FLOCKFIELD

The exact status of cubs of the Eyrefield Pride remains unclear. Last months viewing indicated that there were only two young cubs, these the survivors of five, the youngest of which had been killed by the buffalo of the large herd. However, at the beginning of July there was a brief appearance of three cubs of perhaps less than three months of age. This was the only encounter with these youngsters during July. Also confusing matters has been the fact that only one other cub was seen later in the month, indicating that perhaps the second older youngster may also have met with an untimely end. However, the fact that at most sightings of these lions at least one of the lionesses has been absent hints too that she has remained behind to care for any cubs. There was a quite distant sighting early in the month of two lionesses lying in the Manyelethi River, one of which appeared to be lactating. This area is very rocky and full of good cub repositories and also an area known to be used from time to time by the Eyrefield Pride, so maybe the lionesses seen were from this family. Hopefully viewing over the next few weeks will produce a clearer picture. Although the brother of the approximately two-year-old female was not seen during June, a young male of approximately this age made an appearance amongst the females of the pride this month. However, the lionesses made it quite clear that he was not welcome and although even the West Street Males also directed aggression towards this young male, it was the females that showed the greatest animosity. Nonetheless, the young male stayed on, the suffering obviously worth the food he was able to eke out from the group of females which would be the most successful hunters. At his age and particularly being alone, survival would be tough (he botched an attempt at stealing a cheetahs kill until much later when most of the meat had been consumed - a more experienced lion may well have known what was happening) and the option of staying on would be most desirable. The reaction of the females towards this young male is not easy to explain, but may have something to do with all of the young cubs suddenly making appearances and since he would be of little use as a hunter or defender of territory, would only be another mouth to feed. From the side of the West Street Males, however, this young male would be no threat to their dominance and could be tolerated. It could also be that this young male is not the brother of the young female of the Eyrefield Pride and is one which had simply become separated from his own pride and latched onto the Eyrefield Pride in the hopes that he would at least get food. Adding strength to this theory was a sighting of lions probably belonging to the Pride often confused with the Marthly Pride. These lions were only three in number, lacking one of the young males usually in attendance. This family, which has not been named due to the limited knowledge of their status, sometimes wanders into one of the peripheral areas of the Eyrefield Prides territory and it may be that in one of these wanderings they became separated and the young male found himself on his own and unable catch up with the others."

From this report we learn that Makhulu joined Sparta Pride in July 2000. From which pride he actually came? Not so clear, but definitely not Tsalala! (It is believed that the pride MalaMala talks about is Castleton/Ximhungwue Pride.)

Young Makhulu (2003?). PC Unknown

*This image is copyright of its original author

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