The Mighty Mapogos

[fursan syed]

Mr. T Kill another Lioness

Mlowathi male, 3 Styx lionesses and 2 sub adult female lions – 16 November 2009

The Mlowathi male with the Mohawk was found near Campbell Koppies. He was running north. After following him for a while, we noticed some female lions ahead of him – he was clearly chasing them. Little did we know that this would become not only one of the sightings of the year, but also an eye-opening experience as to the nature of lions, and how harsh life in the wild can be. 
Eventually after a long chase we could identify 3 Styx pride lionesses and two sub adult females – all running away from the Mlowathi male. Over the past few months the Mlowathi males have been “picking off” these sub adult lions of the Styx pride as they establish territory and want to force the Styx lionesses into estrous. Eventually the adult lionesses halted and left the two sub adults to their own defenses against the male who was now close on the heels of the one cub.
One sub adult got away, but the second was not so lucky. Now all the attention of the pursuing male was on her. Eventually after a 45 minute chase, the sub adult had been reeled in and lay in a submissive posture while the massive Mlowathi male stood over her, both cats catching their breaths. Eventually the Mlowathi male stepped closer, and the young lioness, knowing her fate, tried to fight. But with a swift and powerful blow with his right paw, the younger lion dropped. Immediately the Mlowathi male’s powerful jaw clamped down on her neck and broke it - all was over in a few seconds. Observing guests gasped as the Mlowathi male left the scene, and the sub adult lioness lay lifeless.
The Mlowathi male then joined up with the Styx lionesses, and although the lioness had finished her estrous cycle, she flirted with the male - almost as if to break the tension of the moment between the Mlowathi male and the other Styx lioness (the mother of the sub adult which had just been killed). Eventually all the lions relaxed. The shock, excitement and horror of the last hour subsided as the lions went to sleep, with no sign of the last standing sub-adult male Styx lion.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Credits goes to Mala Mala Reply