Lion Directory

[Rage2277]

Yesterday we awoke to some intense male lion vocalisation along the Crocodile River, Mjejane Game Reserve, Kruger National Park. Lions were running all over the place, most of the time in thick bush making it difficult to capture, here is the story and some footage of the events. We first heard a male lion roaring intensely on the Kruger side of the Crocodile River. We went to investigate and found the dark maned dominant Mjejane male looking rather agitated. We then heard via the radio that his 2 brothers were already on Mjejane Game Reserve and had been found not far from the the 2 Vurhami males who were still with the lone lioness. The bigger Vurhami male aka "Mo" had apparently been roaring that morning and had attracted the attention of the 3 Mjejane males. He possibly thought that they were not concerned about the Mjejane portion of their territory after being absent for months in Kruger with their other prides. He was very wrong indeed! It seemed the inevitable confrontation that had been delayed for months was about to happen. The 2 lighter maned Mjejane males were there first and found the Vurhami males and the lone lioness. The oestrus scent of the lioness must have escalated the situation as the Mjejane males were infuriated! The smaller Vurhami male aka "Mbilu" ran for his life while "Mo" looked apprehensive to run but reluctantly followed, sensing the weakness in his brother who was still recovering from his shoulder injury. The 2 Mjejane males were in hot pursuit, we presume that the 3rd dark maned Mjejane male had joined them in the pursuit after high tailing it at top speed from Kruger when he heard the commotion. They eventually caught the smaller Vurhami male in some thick bush and we could only hear the commotion as we presume they broke his spine and he succumbed to his injuries. The bigger Vurhami male must have been very close by and unable to do anything to save his brother. The 3 Mjejane males then emerged with blood on their faces in hot pursuit of the bigger Vurhami male. Something must be said about the character of the bigger Vurhami male, he was scent marking and roaring defiantly as the 3 were on his trail. Eventually only the 2 bigger Mjejane males carried on with the pursuit but they tired and the Vurhami male made his escape. The smaller maned Mjejane male gave up the pursuit early on and doubled back to try his luck with the lone lioness who had followed behind all the commotion. Reply