Lion tales

[Potato]

https://www.umlani.com/blog/post/umlani-captured-in-photos-june-2019/
http://www.homeinspirations.co.za/index.php/282-gods-creation-in-the-wild/40738-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-game-ranger-by-chad-cocking-46?AG_MK=0&AG_form_paginInitPages_40738=1&AG_form_albumInitFolders_40738=24062019&AG_MK=0
http://www.homeinspirations.co.za/index.php/282-gods-creation-in-the-wild/40752-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-game-ranger-by-chad-cocking-49

July 2019

Two Mbiris males vs three nomadic Nharhu males. First encounter

Umlani:

The lions of the Timbavati have been absolute stars this month when it came to our game drives, the 4 Myambula lionesses and their 10 cubs have been very active especially around Umlani Bushcamp itself. One morning the pride was found on a full grown kudu bull carcass along with the 2 Mbiri males, that afternoon when we returned to the scene the pride had also just killed a zebra. 3 of the River pride males then foolishly approached the carcasses and were met aggressively by the 4 lionesses the commotion woke the sleeping Mbiri males who then chased the males off, we could hear the dominant males giving at least one of the younger males a good hiding before roaring out in victory. As the big males made their way back to the kill and their pride, one of the young males returned to the zebra kill and started feeding, it appeared that he did not fear the mighty Mbiri males who's roars were getting closer and closer. We sat in anticipation to see the outcome of this bold move by the younger male, however on sight of the larger males making their approach he lost his nerve and began to run for his life the big Mbiri male gave chase and again we could hear the sounds of lions fighting as the younger male got caught, beaten and chased out of the area. The smaller Mbiri male guarded the kill sporting a few fresh cuts and blood oozing from his mouth, but defiant over the young intruders, the pride and their cubs were safe for another day and our guests were left with a memory that would last a lifetime after a display of natural power second to none.

*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

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Tanda Tula:

[b]A WEEK OF THE MAYAMBULA PRIDE IN PICTURES – 21st June 2019[/b]



Welcome back to another weekly update about the animals that call the central Timbavati their home. It was a week that had a real winter feeling about it – crisp, cold mornings followed by blue skies and mild days before ending off with star-filled skies as the Milky Way looks down on us. It was a week that belonged to one very special family that has taken up residence in this part of the Greater Kruger, and that is none other than the 16-strong members of the Mayambula Pride of lions.  





Whilst we thought their presence in the area during the previous reporting period was good, this week was exceptional. The pride set up base in the central region of our concession and enjoyed no fewer than four kills during the course of the week. It all started last week when all sixteen members (including the two Mbiri males) were found feasting on a large kudu bull only 2kms from Tanda Tula Safari Camp. That afternoon Civilized headed out a little earlier in the afternoon to go and spend time with the pride. As it was early in the afternoon and they all had full bellies, he wasn’t expecting much action - he was wrong. After some time with the lions the four lionesses suddenly got up and stared to the west before slinking off. It wasn’t more than a couple of minutes later that pandemonium erupted as the lionesses brought down an adult zebra about 100m from their kudu kill! Civ and his guests sat and watched in amazement at the power of these lioness as they subdued the 300kg mare.  

This was just the beginning! As all of the lionesses and their ten cubs began to feed on the zebra, the oldest lioness suddenly became quite alert and started calling to the Mbiri males, an odd thing to do for the simple reason that if the male lions were to come to their new kill they would simply commandeer it and leave the lionesses and cubs with nothing. The reason for this behaviour soon became very apparent as three of the young River Pride male lions came charging in towards the Mayambula Pride. Instincts kicked in and whilst one lioness ran off with the ten cubs in tow, the other three lionesses turned to face their aggressors head on, much to the surprise of the River Pride males. The sound of fighting lions drew an instant reaction from the smaller Mbiri male who had happily been sleeping until this point – he came charging in in a flash, and sent the River Pride boys scampering off, but he wasn’t done. The bigger Mbiri male had wandered off to go and drink, but his roars soon started echoing across the bush as he too came charging back. They spent the rest of the afternoon making sure the River Pride males knew that they weren’t welcome, and the pride gathered around to enjoy their zebra feast. 

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

[b]A WEEK OF SUCCESSFUL PREDATORS IN PICTURES – 26thJuly 2019[/b]

The Mbiri males spent some time with the pride, but when we caught up with them later in the week, both males were walking with bad limps – nothing to be alarmed about, but a sign that they may well have been involved in another skirmish with some intruding lions Reply