Lions of Sabi Sands

[fursan syed]

CLARENDON PRIDE

Old Mala Mala Sightings From 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005

2001

October 2001

Four lions - 3 lionesses and a young male - with a fairly nervous disposition were seen just inside the Kruger National Park close to the north-eastern corner of Mala Mala and almost certainly a family which spends most of its time in this national park.
5 lionesses: There were three sightings of this pride, all towards the upper reaches of the Matshapiri River. Two of the sightings were of all five together, the other and first sighting of only three of the members. The lionesses were not in the least concerned by vehicles and were almost certainly from areas to the north of Mala Mala. The abundance of game on the green grass of these recently burned areas no doubt tempted them to leave their usual haunts and enter this region. One of the lionesses had a badly injured front leg, perhaps even broken, and the other members of the pride appeared to be waiting for her. Another of the lionesses was easily distinguishable by a very corkscrewed tail, the twist occurring halfway along the length. A blind eye and other scars further characterised this group. The last encounter with them had all five in the middle of a large open area and surrounded by zebra. Whilst the younger members were tempted from time to time to stalk towards the zebras, the older more experienced lionesses remained seemingly oblivious of their presence. Such a scenario must be the height of frustration for lions - food so close and plentiful, but completely inaccessible!

November 2001

4 lions, 1 sub adult male & 3 lionesses, and 2 lionesses: These 6 lions were seen on Eyrefield and it is thought that they belong to the group of five lionesses seen last month on the northeastern parts of Mala Mala. The young male may have been part of the above-mentioned coalition of four. They were not seen together as a pride of five lionesses. The 2 lionesses, one of them very old with canines worn to mere stumps, were found at a buffalo carcass which had probably been killed by the Styx Pride. For some reason the Styx Pride abandoned it to them, this in spite of the kill being squarely in land considered prime Styx Pride territory. At the same time and not many kilometres away were the other three lionesses of the pride, accompanied by a young male and eyeing out the large herd of buffalo. The following day these four lions, together with one of the West Street Males and two of the Eyrefield Pride lionesses, were sharing the carcass of an adult male buffalo. It is thought that the four lions had killed the buffalo and had later been joined by the other three. The following day the only lions in the area were the three West Street Males; even the Eyrefield lionesses had fled.

2002

January 2002



As far as is known, the coalition of 4 male lions seen in the northern areas of Mala Mala have not made contact with any members of the Styx Pride and seem to have concentrated their attentions on the old Emsagwen lioness and a family of at least five lionesses which seems to be spending more and more time in this area too. One of the lionesses of this pride has a noticeably kink in her tail. Some of these lionesses were seen mating with the two most dominant members of the '4' towards the beginning of the game-report-period. The male lions involved in the mating - the older male and one of the younger ones - appeared slightly unsure of how to go about things when they were approached by the lionesses. This was probably the cause of the some of the aggression which the lionesses then directed at them whilst mating and soliciting. The two males of the coalition which did not have any females to mate with - number 3 and 4 in the hierarchy of the male group - slept whilst all of this was going on.


February 2002


The six lionesses seen with the one male lion of the '4' were from the pride which has been seen with ever-increasing regularity towards the northeastern parts of the reserve. They are an easily recognisable group with one lioness having an almost knotted tail, the one missing a tail tip, one with a blind left eye and one with great scars around her neck and chest region. They were seen together as a pride of six only once this month, this when they killed the buffalo calf. On other occasions, two of them spent much time following buffalo with three of the four male lions which frequent the northeastern parts of Mala Mala. The decision to stay with these males proved painful because although at least one buffalo calf was killed, the lionesses probably had next to nothing to eat as the male lions totally dominated. It is almost certain that several of these lionesses have mated with some of these male lions. But in terms of territory, the movements of these lionesses remain fluid. Will they become a permanent feature of the northeastern parts of Mala Mala or will they prove to be a transitory pride which will 'go home' when their cubs are born or the local food supply changes? Their presence in the western parts of Mala Mala this month must have caused the Styx Pride some sleepless moments, but fortunately the stay proved short.


March 2002


CLARENDON PRIDE = 7 

6 ADULT LIONESSES 

1 SUB ADULT MALE

Location: EYREFIELD

The Clarendon Pride is the family of lions which has been seen more and more frequently over the past half year to the north and northeast of the reserve, encroaching on areas up until now relatively under-utilised and sometimes patrolled by the Styx Pride, Windmill Pride (of late) and the Emsagwen Pride lioness. The Emsagwen Pride lioness should in fact have a niche right in the middle of the area worked by the Clarendon Pride. It will be interesting to see how she copes.

The three male lions (there were four at one stage when they first made an appearance in the area) associated with them are known as the Split Rock Males.

Several of the lionesses of the Clarendon Pride have some very recognisable features and two of the females appear to be very old with lower canines worn down almost to stumps. One of these old lionesses is missing the tip of her tail and also the tip of her right ear. One of the younger lionesses has a corkscrew twist midway along her tail and another has massive scarring around her chest area. The young male lion with them is approximately three or four years of age and perhaps a brother to the younger lionesses of the family. His standing in the group is tenuous; the Split Rock Males have beaten him up several times and the lionesses are treating him with increasing hostility. The time is coming for this young male to head off on his own.

The Clarendon Pride was the family which, together with one of the Split Rock Males, killed a young buffalo deep inside Styx Pride territory last month. But by and large the Clarendon Pride seems to be staying to the east of the areas currently worked by the Styx Pride. During March the Clarendon Pride spent much time following the large herd of buffalo and seemed to meet with only some success. They were seen with an adult female buffalo kill in mid-march, but then the buffalo appeared to keep ahead of them and although the lions seemed keen, they failed to penetrate the defences of these large grazers. On one occasion when they and all three of the Split Rock Males had been left eyeing out the buffalo which subsequently left them behind, one of the older lionesses detected something in the nearby bushline, either a smell or a noise, and immediately headed that way. The object of her attention turned out to be the half-eaten carcass of an adult female impala, probably killed the night before by a leopard. The leopard had by this stage abandoned the area and the lions pounced. But one of the Split Rock Males was just too quick and dominated the feeding, leaving the old lioness to grit her teeth. The two older lionesses of this group seem to have reached that tragic stage when they simply cannot keep up and so are not always in time to wrestle their ways into a small kill. If small kills are the most frequent of the lions' meals, then the poor condition of these old females will only get poorer. But if they can kill large buffalo or zebra or some other such big creatures on a regular basis, then they may not deteriorate as fast.


April 2002


CLARENDON PRIDE = 7

6 ADULT LIONESSES

1 SUB ADULT MALE

Location: EYREFIELD/ NORTHERN MALA MALA

The Clarendon Pride delivered a fine month of viewing, starting things when they were found with a freshly killed male buffalo. Whilst they were feeding from it, a herd of elephants appeared and for nearly an hour tried to chase the lions from the carcass. Most of the lionesses, including the larger of the Split Rock Males which seemed to spend much of the month with these lionesses, retreated when the elephants advanced. Only the two old lionesses of the pride bravely stood their ground, at times snarling at elephants only meters off them. But in the end the elephants moved off and the lions had three days of full bellies before heading south, following the large herd of buffalo deep into Styx Pride territory. Here things went wrong for them. Accompanied by the same large Split Rock Male, they were distracted from the buffalo by the arrival of the young male which is seen so often with them and may be the brother of the younger lionesses of the Clarendon Pride. The Split Rock Male did nothing to hide his aggression towards this sub adult male and the lions then had their efforts directed at the buffalo distracted by this interaction. Eventually the pride split up with two of the younger lionesses following the now rapidly moving buffalo and the rest lying around waiting for social problems to be ironed out. Then, to complicate matters, two of the old West Street Males, which the Split Rock Males routed last November, appeared on the scene. This time they were in their territory and the Clarendon Pride and Split Rock Male were 'invaders' and so at a psychological disadvantage. No interaction was seen at that stage and all lions were left lying 100 meters apart. Whilst they were lying here, a female buffalo with a newly born and just tottering calf bypassed them by only 50 or so meters, but the lions failed to detect them.

The following morning, lions were all over the place, two of the Clarendon Pride far away and moving away, one other lioness with a bulging belly looking for others (she had probably caught a young buffalo and eaten it all by herself), and two of the lionesses, the large Split Rock Male and the young male watching the large herd of buffalo a couple of kilometres from where all of the lions had been left the previous evening. And only a few hundred meters from these lions were the two West Street Males - watching the buffalo and the other lions, but hidden in some thickets. When the large herd of buffalo moved off, again rapidly with intentions no doubt of getting out of the area, the lions did not follow. Later on a lone buffalo bull walked right amongst the four lions, but the only one to show any interest was the young lioness with the corkscrew tail. She came within mere meters of the buffalo before he saw her and after initially taking fright, came back at her and chased her off. The other lions watched this show with only mild curiosity - such no doubt is their respect for the lone buffalo bull. But things were to change. That afternoon, the Split Rock Male and the trio from the Clarendon Pride (young male included) were on the freshly killed carcass of an adult female buffalo, perhaps the same one which had bypassed them with the newborn calf the previous night. A dead buffalo calf was also in the area. As the lions were feeding, the two West Street Males emerged and headed their way and in a matter of minutes had the lone Split Rock Male on the run, chasing him far up the Matshapiri River before they halted and returned to the carcass of the buffalo where the other three lions were now feeding. Since this trio of lions seemed to show great subservience towards the West Street Males, they were left well alone and all lions stayed in the area for the next 24 hours until the Split Rock Male returned. This time the West Street Males did not even try anything; they fled. The single Split Rock Male walked towards them, stiff-legged and holding his head high with his mane standing up. The West Street Males ran.

The next big event for some of the Clarendon Pride happened not long after this when some of them and one of the other Split Rock Males again harassed the buffalo, eventually that evening finding an apparently abandoned buffalo calf. Then, a couple of weeks later, three of the lionesses and the young male of the pride killed an old buffalo cow along the upper reaches of the Mlowathi River, an area more Styx Prides' than theirs. The Styx Pride arrived on the scene and chased the Clarendon Pride off, before themselves being chased off by the three Split Rock Males. In the process the Styx Pride lost two of their cubs.

Then, towards the end of the month, the Clarendon Pride and all three of the Split Rock Males were found close to the northeastern parts of the reserve with the carcasses of three buffalo, two cows and a calf. So certainly a dramatic month for the Clarendon Pride. The Split Rock Males, particularly the largest of the trio, were often with the lionesses. It is not known whether any of the pride members are pregnant or not.


May 2002


 6 ADULT LIONESSES 

1 SUB ADULT MALE

Location: NE EYREFIELD/ NORTHERN MALA MALA

Compared with Aprils viewing, the lionesses of the Clarendon Pride hardly put on an appearance this month, being seen only a few times and never together. Could it be that they have cubs, fathered by the Split Rock Males, and that these youngsters, at a stage of immobility, are keeping them from wandering far and wide?

June 2002

 6 ADULT LIONESSES

1 SUB ADULT MALE

Location: NE EYREFIELD

Little was seen of the Clarendon Pride and the Split Rock Males during June. This may perhaps be a consequence of either the developing dry-season conditions and the influence which this has upon prey animal movements. Alternatively, some of the Clarendon Pride may have cubs and the demands of these small youngsters may well restrict the movements of the pride.


July 2002


CLARENDON PRIDE = 7

6 ADULT LIONESSES 

1 SUB ADULT MALE

Location: NE EYREFIELD

There were no sightings of the Clarendon Pride this month, perhaps due to prey animal movements and/ or cubs keeping them area-restricted to the north of Mala Mala.


August - December 2002


CLARENDON PRIDE = 7

6 ADULT LIONESSES

1 SUB ADULT MALE



Location: NE EYREFIELD
There were no confirmed sightings of these lions this month.

2003

January 2003


CLARENDON PRIDE = 5

5 ADULT LIONESSES

Location: NE EYREFIELD

Five of the lionesses of the Clarendon Pride were seen this month, together with the three Split Rock Males. The lions were towards the northeastern corner of the reserve and all were looking very thin. This has been the first sighting of any members of this family in many months. When last seen there were six lionesses, but one of the older ones could well have died over the last half-year. The area in which the Clarendon Pride lives is currently very dry and has had little rain this year and as a result game seems to be very scarce. Last year when the Clarendon Pride was seen regularly, also in this same area, they were constantly after buffaloes and other large items of prey which were then very plentiful. Time will tell as to whether these lions will stay put or head out and search for food in other areas.


February 2003


CLARENDON PRIDE = 5

5 ADULT LIONESSES

Location: NE EYREFIELD

The single sighting of the Clarendon Pride was at the very beginning of this game report period. They were with the three Split Rock Males, lying around one of the last productive waterholes in the area. Although the lions had full stomachs on this occasion, they had no flesh on their bones and were in poor condition. With little water and food in their area, game must be scarce and these lions cannot be having a good time.

What a difference from this time last year when two big groups of buffaloes were almost camping in their territory and these lions were regularly making kills.


March 2003


CLARENDON PRIDE = 5

5 ADULT LIONESSES

Location: NE EYREFIELD

No members of this family were seen this month.


April 2003


CLARENDON PRIDE = 5

5 ADULT LIONESSES

Location: NE EYREFIELD

Only two or three lionesses of the Clarendon Pride were seen this month, and all within a few days of one another around the carcass of a dead rhino.  This rhino had apparently been killed in a fight with another and presented the lions with a fine feast.

Amongst the lionesses was the one with the 'corkscrew' tail.  Accompanying them were two of the Split Rock Males.


May - June 2003


CLARENDON PRIDE = 5

5 ADULT LIONESSES

Location: NE EYREFIELD

There were no encounters with the Clarendon Pride this month.


July 2003


CLARENDON PRIDE = 5

5 ADULT LIONESSES

Location: NE EYREFIELD
There was but a single sighting of this pride over this report-period, when all five lionesses were seen devouring an adult male warthog near the northeastern parts of Mala Mala.  A large male leopard, the Newington Male, which has a history of tangling with warthogs, was watching them from the safety of a nearby tree.  Chances are good that he was the catcher of the warthog and that the lions had stolen it from him.

2004

August 2003 - March 2004

CLARENDON PRIDE = 5

5 ADULT LIONESSES

Location: NE EYREFIELD
No sightings of this pride this month

April 2004


CLARENDON PRIDE = 5

5 ADULT LIONESSES

Location: NE EYREFIELD

Three lionesses of the Clarendon Pride were seen this month, all quite young members of the Pride and including the female with the twisted tail.  At least one of them appeared to be lactating, but since they mostly spent their time sleeping in long grass, this wasn't very clear.

The lionesses were accompanied by a male lion, apparently not one of the Split Rock Males, the coalition which at one stage is thought to have controlled them.


May/ June/ July / August / September / October / November / December 2004


CLARENDON PRIDE = 5

5 ADULT LIONESSES

Location: NE EYREFIELD
No sightings

2005

January / February / March / April 2005

CLARENDON PRIDE = 5
5 ADULT LIONESSES
Location: NE EYREFIELD
No sightings

May 2005

CLARENDON PRIDE = 5
5 ADULT LIONESSES
No sightings of any of these lionesses on Mala Mala for a few months.

June 2005

CLARENDON PRIDE = 5
5 ADULT LIONESSES
For the first time in many months, members of the Clarendon Pride were seen. Three lionesses pitched up in the vicinity of Clarendon Dam, where there have been large numbers of zebra of late. One of them was an easily recognisable old lioness, light in colour and with a bad eye and a mangled ear. The other two lionesses seen with her appeared young and healthy. These lionesses were seen twice in successive days. On the first day, they were hunting around mid-morning, but they were seen by some zebra, and were not seen to catch anything. The next day, the lionesses appeared well fed, but one of them had a number of porcupine quills embedded in her face and chest.

July 2005

CLARENDON PRIDE = 5
5 ADULT LIONESSES
After making a couple of appearances in the vicinity of Clarendon Dam in June, the Clarendon Pride lionesses were not seen at all on Mala Mala in July.

August / September / October 2005

CLARENDON PRIDE = 5
5 ADULT LIONESSES
No sightings in August.

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