Coalitions of Kruger National Park

[Fredymrt]

From: Singita Singita Kruger National Park
South Africa
Articles by Brian Rode and Blaine Moolman
Photos by Brian Rode Thirty-first of January, 2018

*This image is copyright of its original author

Photo by Brian Rode

[b]Lions:
Once again, the N’wanetsi Concession lived up to its reputation of being fantastic for lions. There were sixty-one sightings of lions in total this month. What has been notable is that there has been a great variety of lions seen. We have had sightings of the Shish Pride, Mountain Pride, Shish Males, Southern Males, Northern Pride and the Xhirombe Pride.
The cub in the mountain pride is still doing well, and we are convinced that she will make it to full adulthood at this point. Of course, we can take nothing for granted out here. They have been seen in the far southern reaches of their territory towards the end of the month. One interesting morning they were found walking into an area where the Shish Pride had been seen only hours before. The Mountain Pride females could smell the other lions, and looked ready for battle, scent marking and salivating. However, the Shish Pride were long gone and nothing came of it, as the pride settled for the day. We do believe that at least one lioness in this pride is pregnant, and we are counting down the months in the hope of the arrival of new cubs.
Although the Shish Pride has not been seen too frequently on the concession, their appearances have been spectacular. On one occasion, Brian and Solomon were lucky enough to be there when the pride brought down a wildebeest. This lead to a classic Shish Pride feeding frenzy, the thunder of which would be heard
from a fair distance away. All safari guests out on drive that day were able to get a view of this, before the interaction over the kill ceased.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Photo by Brian Rode

On another occasion, Blaine was with the Pride just after sunset, as they attempted to stalk a giraffe near Gudzane Dam. Whilst hunting the giraffe they flushed an unfortunate warthog, who lead the leading lions in a long chase. The hapless warthog then turned back towards the rest of the pride and was caught. The lions ate the entire animal in less than two minutes.
The white lion continues to look healthy, as do his siblings. We still wonder when it will be that he and his brothers will no longer be tolerated in their fathers’ territory and will have to make their own way in life. It really could be any time from now.
The One-Eyed Male, of the Shish Male Coalition, has not been seen at all this month, despite sightings of the rest of the coalition, and the general opinion is that that lion must be dead. The three remaining males in the coalition appear to be in good health, despite the limp that one of the older males has carried for more than a year and a half now.

I believe that he was killed by the N'wanetsi males. Reply