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.
07-13-2021, 08:19 PM( This post was last modified: 07-13-2021, 08:26 PM by Duco Ndona )
Lions move around a lot. They have to keep up with the herds and avoid hyenas or other lions.
Cubs are expected to keep or catch up as the pride can not put itself at risk just to help one of them. Its how it goes for lions.
The Mhangeni are kind of in a bad spot that's well traversed by nomadic lions and borders a lot of rival groups. They already lost a lot of the cubs to an attack of the Nwas earlier this year. During which they had little choice than to flee and hope the cubs kept up.
The Othawa male already wasn't a good defence for the pride to begin with and now he is gone, their territory is swarmed by new coalitions and prides making things even harder.
So I don't think that their loss of cubs is that surprising. Especially considering cubs in general have a mortality rate of 80% or so.
I think its mostly that people are trying to push a narrative on that pride of being cold hearted bad mothers. But I don't really see them doing anything much different from other prides. And all things considered they must be doing something right seeing they in numbers are one of the larger prides in Sabi Sands.
With some luck, the surviving cubs are all female and now have a better chance. Now the pride can focus on them instead of the much younger and inexperienced ones.
There was a report of one of them having a new litter though?