There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
4 hours ago( This post was last modified: 4 hours ago by BA0701 )
(5 hours ago)Tr1x24 Wrote:
(7 hours ago)RookiePundit Wrote: I would assume lioness No.1 being the oldest due to having fully black nose unlike the younger individuals.
She is far more older, born in 2013, younger lioness is born in Othawa pride in late 2018.
Interesting background behind them (for new followers), this Ximhungwes female family (except sister and brother) got killed of by Gingerellas aunts back in the day.
But she got her revenge, she linked with Gingerella, who was Othawas outcast (as she was too young to mate with Tumbelas) and with help of Nhenha/NK, they outpowered remaining Othawas, mainly Sassy and subs (of which only 2 survived to this day).
Ximhungwe female got her revange, after many years.
So much history, with the Ximungwes. I mentioned in the Mapogos thread, they have never been able to gain any traction, in rebuilding the pride, even since Mr. T wiped out all the cubs. A lot of years have passed since that period, and she still does not have any cubs to show for it. I really hope she can give birth some time soon, and see those cubs to adulthood. She is the last blood of her pride.
As the Southern Pride has demonstrated, regrowing your pride quickly, is possible, but this gal is already 11 years old. If she is going to get it done, now is the time to start.
(4 hours ago)BA0701 Wrote: So much history, with the Ximungwes. I mentioned in the Mapogos thread, they have never been able to gain any traction, in rebuilding the pride, even since Mr. T wiped out all the cubs. A lot of years have passed since that period, and she still does not have any cubs to show for it. I really hope she can give birth some time soon, and see those cubs to adulthood. She is the last blood of her pride.
As the Southern Pride has demonstrated, regrowing your pride quickly, is possible, but this gal is already 11 years old. If she is going to get it done, now is the time to start.
I hope so too.
If she passes away, before leaving legacy behind, then we have situation we discussed before, can we really continue to call Gingerella and her offspring Ximhungwe pride anymore? As there would be no Ximhungwe blood left.
(7 hours ago)RookiePundit Wrote: I would assume lioness No.1 being the oldest due to having fully black nose unlike the younger individuals.
Using the colour of nose normally helps determine age, and certainly does in this case, but it’s not always correct. I seen close up photos of Black Rock Boys Oloimina and Oloshipa yesterday, Oloimina still has a lot of pink on his nose whereas Oloshipa’s is completely darkened, yet they were born around the same time.
Its not that difficult. Prides are first and foremost a social political group.
None of the lions care at all about bloodlines and such.
At this point Gingerella is pretty much 100% a Ximhungwe. She is behaving no different as if she was born in the pride as one one Ximhungwes cubs and actively took part in the attacks on her natal pride.
If Ximhungwe were to die. She will continue the pride like normal. So she deserves the name.
(3 hours ago)Duco Ndona Wrote: Its not that difficult. Prides are first and foremost a social political group.
None of the lions care at all about bloodlines and such.
At this point Gingerella is pretty much 100% a Ximhungwe. She is behaving no different as if she was born in the pride as one one Ximhungwes cubs and actively took part in the attacks on her natal pride.
If Ximhungwe were to die. She will continue the pride like normal. So she deserves the name.
Well agree from that perspective, although it will be "complicated" to explain future lion enthusiast's how Ximhungwe pride actually has only Othawa bloodline.
(3 hours ago)Duco Ndona Wrote: Its not that difficult. Prides are first and foremost a social political group.
None of the lions care at all about bloodlines and such.
At this point Gingerella is pretty much 100% a Ximhungwe. She is behaving no different as if she was born in the pride as one one Ximhungwes cubs and actively took part in the attacks on her natal pride.
If Ximhungwe were to die. She will continue the pride like normal. So she deserves the name.
While I agree with you, I have mixed feelings about it
(4 hours ago)BA0701 Wrote: So much history, with the Ximungwes. I mentioned in the Mapogos thread, they have never been able to gain any traction, in rebuilding the pride, even since Mr. T wiped out all the cubs. A lot of years have passed since that period, and she still does not have any cubs to show for it. I really hope she can give birth some time soon, and see those cubs to adulthood. She is the last blood of her pride.
As the Southern Pride has demonstrated, regrowing your pride quickly, is possible, but this gal is already 11 years old. If she is going to get it done, now is the time to start.
I hope so too.
If she passes away, before leaving legacy behind, then we have situation we discussed before, can we really continue to call Gingerella and her offspring Ximhungwe pride anymore? As there would be no Ximhungwe blood left.
I recall that very conversation, as well, and have been thinking about that very thing quite a bit the past few months.
The whole Ximhungwe/Othawa scenario would definitely get quite complicated for anyone who doesn’t have the knowledge of the respective prides and their history. For me it does add an interesting layer to their already complex history and also the fact for the majority of this period they have been the two main rival prides in the west of Sabi Sands.
Although Gingerella is considered a fully fledged member of Ximhungwe Pride now I would personally find it difficult to continue the name if it was just left with her and her two daughters. It would be a shame to lose another iconic pride of Sabi Sands but ultimately this is nature and their is no room for sentiment. Sparta Pride, possibly the most famous and well known of all prides in the history of Sabi Sands went extinct and some have been or close to the brink of collapse namely Southern Pride, Othawa Pride and Tsalala Pride.
This is the natural way of things and allows others to rise up and take their place and write their own history, if you think some of these newer prides didn’t even exist a decade ago and now have become synonymous with the lion dynamics of Sabi Sands such as Mhangeni, Kambula and Msuthlu. I can see why the topic divides opinion so much and probably there isn’t a right or wrong answer. Anyway, let’s hope the old lioness is able to raise some cubs to independence and in doing so continue the original Ximhungwe bloodline.
