|
Lions of Sabi Sands
|
March 2022
Lions Stability is a word in which we haven’t used for some time when it comes to the lion dynamics on the reserve. However, it would seem as if this is the most fitting way to describe the month of March when it comes to lions. The Plains Camp males and Nkuhuma lionesses have without a doubt made themselves very much at home in the central parts of Singita Sabi Sand. With the lionesses taking care of two young cubs close to the area of Castleton it would seem that the Plains Camp males have made every attempt to make sure these females are protected from wandering intruders. The single Birmingham male and his son the Nkuhuma male have forged a close bond, spending most of their time together now. These two males have quietly been moving back and forth across the southern parts of the property with the Plains Camp males making sure to chase them out each time they arrive in their territory. On one occasion the two males were heard vocalising and chasing a single Mhangene lioness which caught the attention of the Plains Camp males. Within half an hour the Plains Camp males had made their way right across the property, moving at least four and a half kilometres (as the crow flies) to where they were heard. The Birmingham and Nkuhuma males must have sensed them coming and quickly moved away from the area. The next day we saw the males and there were no visible signs of an incursion. Most nights around Castleton camp, lions can be heard roaring. Although most of the time we believe the calls to be those of males, we too have noticed that the continuous beckoning is from one of the older Mhangene lionesses. One very interesting interaction this month came at the expense of a bull buffalo. We observed as some of the Nkuhuma sub-adults, a Talamati sub-adult male and the three Nsevu sub-adult males fed on the same bull buffalo together north of the river. What came as more of a surprise was that after feeding on the carcass for almost two days, the two Plains Camp males along with the Nkuhuma lionesses (who had been settled nowhere near the feeding frenzy) made their way across the river, found the carcass and then also fed on it. Absolutely incredible! https://singita.com/2022/03/singita-sabi...March-2022 |
| Users browsing this thread: |
| Kaliridah, 139 Guest(s) |