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.
I agree they probably had an altercation with lion to their east, lions not based in Manyeleti but Kruger itself, it is even mentioned in the video, they wandered to the east a bit recently, isn't it. However, it doesn't have to a male lion trying to take over to cause death of the cubs, anything chasing them from a carcass or something, like another pride strogn enough regardless of composition, might create enough commotion that some cubs might get separated and lost (and actually killed later by anything that finds them). And it doesn't have to a single event that caused mising cubs, there is even a possibility, another female is with some of them somewhere, but for sure Red Road had a misunderstanding with someone, who went for his back as well, so likely another male lion with some support, especially considering Red Road is quite a specimen (it was discussed in this thread guides consider him the biggest male in Manyeleti, soem time ago, now it doesn't take much). At the same time, we don't know how the other male looks like afterwards, I'm inclined to believe it was more than one though.
It would be interestng, if Red Road actually loses Nharu pride, where he will go and whether he find himself a partner and turns it around like his father. He already managed to dodge Orpens before, just need stability to have time for his cubs, now in Nharu pride or wherever later. He is what close to 7 years old, right?