ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - B - THE LION (Panthera leo)

[Pckts]

http://www.cbs.umn.edu/sites/default/fil...theory.pdf
Here is a great study on how lion coalitions are formed.
Over 42% of male lion coalitions are actually unrelated as well as males "joining their probable fathers to form coalitions"
Pretty interesting and shows the life of a bachelor male is much easier if they decide to join with rivals, even if its for a short time.


I also read a interesting fact on the Mapongo (sp) pride about how they ruled for so long yet never had a single cub make it to adult hood. Due to competition between them, they would kill eachothers cubs. It was almost celebrated when they were finally defeated becasue of the hope of better fathers helping spread new lion genes.
Oh how the excitement of the Mapogo arrival was overrated, based on the social structure outcome to the population dynamics of the lions in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin. Yes they provided formidable viewing and photographic opportunities, undoubtedly serving as a huge attraction to a multitude of guests wishing to view and photograph lions of such infamy, but from a species survival point of view, they have done unmentionable damage to the breeding and survival ecology of the lion species in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, thereby affecting the total African lion population.
Of the original 62 Lions that were present in the Western Sector when they arrived, there are now only 3 origionals left, all belonging to the Ximungwe pride. The remaining lions are, 1 Lioness from the Ximungwe pride that joined from the Tsalala Pride, 4 Youngsters from these females (total – 8) and 2 Ottawa lionesses, both being Mapogo offspring. The Ottawa pride have 4 small cubs( total – 8 ), which in all likelihood will be killed by the Southern Males (to force the females into early oestrous), as will the Ximungwe pride youngsters we suspect.
Ximungwe Pride – 6 Years and not a single cub ( nil – zero – 0 ) has yet to be raised to maturity. That is a shocking statistic when it comes to the fathering and protection abilities of the territorial coalition, the Mapogo. They were more absorbed with their internal conflicts and dominance status within the coalition that they would kill each other’s cubs, the main culprit co-incidentally being the one killed today, Mr.T.
http://blog.londolozi.com/2012/03/lion-w...of-an-era/



I noticed how many pride members are actually from other prides. It seems loyality is decided by survival, and lions sometimes prefer new pride members no matter where they are from just as long as they help with the kill.

Both are interesting reads Reply