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Lions of Timbavati
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Jackie Banks (tourist in Thorynbush)
We have just returned from our fabulous safaris in South Africa, we had numerous sightings of several of the lions in Thornybush Private Game Reserve. As our guide explained, because the last of the Trilogy males died recently, there were males moving in to take over the territory. Here is a photo of the the Mapoza male, resting and waiting to meet up with the two Xikukutsu males. Photo: November 19 Thornybush Private Game Reserve  *This image is copyright of its original author This is the young Monwana male that has two big bites to his throat. You can see the wet blood on his mane. Very lucky boy.  *This image is copyright of its original author One of the Xikukutsu males at sunset. Sitting in an open vehicle and having these eyes staring back at you from 5 metres away, could be just a little unnerving  *This image is copyright of its original author The Mapoza male and Xikukutsu males at sunset. Apparently they were resting before going after the two younger Monwana males they had had a scuffle with last night.  *This image is copyright of its original author We caught up with these two young Monwana males who had a scuffle overnight with the Mapoza male and the two Xikukutsu males. These two young boys were agitated and moving quickly. One had two big puncture wounds to his throat. Very lucky to be alive  *This image is copyright of its original author
Motswari (northen Timbavati)
Lion activity last week was plentiful. These two males were seen with the Western Pride lionesses during the day and then with the two new lionesses we mentioned earlier in the week, in the evening. We're still working on identification and will keep you posted on what we learn!  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Tanda Tula update
Our lion sightings were good throughout the week with the four River Pride lionesses and their three males (we still don’t have a name for them) spending the majority of the week in the area. The males finished mating with the one lioness early in the week and spent the rest of the week on territorial patrols, with their roars being heard on most nights…well, except for the two windy ones! Interestingly, when the Mbiri males made a rare appearance on the windiest day, they spent the evening roaring with intense regularity. Both of these males were in great condition and seemed content with life in the south. Still, when I look at their large size compared to the three new males, it perplexes me that the smaller males were able to gain control over a large chunk of the bigger males’ territory. I guess it really is a case of “size doesn’t count” if you outnumber the opponents. One of the River lionesses is looking very pregnant, and we are hoping that she gives birth within our concession in the near future.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Over the past few weeks, the resident river pride lionesses have been found mating regularly with the three unidentified males. Hopefully, by early 2020 we could expect some lion cubs!
 *This image is copyright of its original author
  (12-12-2019, 06:12 PM)Potato Wrote: Over the past few weeks, the resident river pride lionesses have been found mating regularly with the three unidentified males. Hopefully, by early 2020 we could expect some lion cubs!  *This image is copyright of its original author "Like a boss - the River Pride male,one of the three males who is busy mating with one of the River Pride Lionesses Credits ? Mrs.Rubes Rockfig Safari Lodge, Greater Kruger ?South Africa, Greater Kruger" It seems that those 3 unknown males are indeed 3 of the 5 young River Pride males, they even compare their whisker spots and they've match. So this males are mating with they relative? Possibly sister/mother/aunt, right?
"It seems that those 3 unknown males are indeed 3 of the 5 young River Pride males, they even compare their whisker spots and they've match."
From Tanda Tula; "To begin with, a correction is needed on last week’s discussion of how the River Pride males were taking over the Mbiri’s territory. This was not because the Mbiri’s returned to claim their land (although, as I type this I can hear them roaring near camp), but rather the fact that we have been able to positively establish the identity of the three males, and know for certain that they are not the River Pride young males, but rather three new boys that appear to originate from the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. The females that they are spending their time with are the four River Pride lionesses, and as it stands, it does appear that they may in fact, be setting themselves up as the pride males for these four ladies" Where did you get info that their whisker spots match with young River males? (12-12-2019, 11:46 PM)Potato Wrote: Where did you get info that their whisker spots match with young River males?From the Lions of South Africa facebook page: "Christof Schoeman Hi Christof, this could be one of the River pride males?, I saw seeing his whiskers are the same,and his the same male that was in Umlani a few weeks ago"  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Wait a minute. Aren't all those 3 photos recent? I mean there is no single photo from when young RP males where still with a natal pride so it isn't how comparing should look like. He should compare one of recent photo of one of this 3 newcomers with old RP male photo (so with photo of male we can be certain it is young River male) to check if they are the same males. Also I would trust more guides from Tanda Tula than that random photographer especially that:
1. Firstly Tanda Tula were talking about those 3 newcomers as of young River males and then in following report that they made mistake, they need to make correction that those 3 are certainly not young River males which I mean they compare their whiskers. 2. Coalition numbers do not match. There were 5 young River male. Do you think they could just lost 2 members in such small amount of time. Personally I believe that so called Vuyela males althrough it is only my personal supposition. (12-13-2019, 12:43 AM)Potato Wrote: Wait a minute. Aren't all those 3 photos recent? I mean there is no single photo from when young RP males where still with a natal pride so it isn't how comparing should look like. He should compare one of recent photo of one of this 3 newcomers with old RP male photo (so with photo of male we can be certain it is young River male) to check if they are the same males. Also I would trust more guides from Tanda Tula than that random photographer especially that: Idk thats just what i find. But isnt it suspicious that since these "new males" arrived theres no sighting of River Pride males whatsoever?? Yea numbers dont match, but at first there was report of 5 new young males, now are only 3 seen. I think that guides in this camps are not sure if this are River Pride males or not, this whole situation is a mess rn. Do you have any pictures from River Pride males, so we can compare them?
"But isnt it suspicious that since these "new males" arrived theres no sighting of River Pride males whatsoever??"
It is natural that in such situation young males leave to avoid competition they are yet not ready to. "Yea numbers dont match, but at first there was report of 5 new young males, now are only 3 seen. " No, it was 3 from the beginning. "I think that guides in this camps are not sure if this are River Pride males or not, this whole situation is a mess rn. " Tanda Tula stated that they know. "Do you have any pictures from River Pride males, so we can compare them?" I do not unfortunately. |
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