Lions of Sabi Sands

[fursan syed]

MLOWATHI PRIDE

Old Mala Mala Sightings of 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006

2003

April 2003


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS

Location: SW EYREFIELD/ CENTRAL & NW MALA MALA

The adult lioness and two younger lionesses which have been seen on Mala Mala over the last half-year or so, mostly towards the northwest of the reserve, will now be known as the Mlowathi Pride.  The Mlowathi River is fairly central within the area they roam on Mala Mala. 

The history of these lions can only be guessed at.  The adult lioness, which has a noticeable 'butterfly-wing' shaped nick out of her right ear, was first encountered towards the end of October 2002 and was at the time accompanied by three youngsters, two males and a female, all judged to be of the same age. The young males were seen only once or twice thereafter.  All other sightings were then of the lioness and the young female, until, that is, another young lioness, of similar age to the other, joined them in late January this year. The age of the youngsters does not correspond with the last sightings of the Marthly Pride, a family of lions which used to travel much of the area currently roamed by this trio.

Areas of activity for these lions include Marthly, central & western Eyrefield and, more recently, northern Mala Mala. There lions may very well schedule their activities on Mala Mala to correspond with the absence of the Styx Pride, the family of lions which is expected to have a strong presence in much of the area where the Mlowathi Pride roams.  Interestingly, however, when the Styx Pride has arrived in areas only very recently vacated by the Mlowathi Pride, they have shown no anger at any intrusion, as if they see no threat in these other lionesses using their resources.  When the second young lioness made an appearance with the adult and the first one, it corresponded with the Styx Pride losing one of their similarly aged young females; speculation was that this second young female to join the other two may well have been the 'lost' Styx Pride youngster.

But, the addition of these three lionesses has been valuable and they have provided some fine viewing in the months that they have been seen.

During April there were three particularly fine days when the lions were seen to kill two impala and also interact with a couple of porcupines.  With the first impala, which the three lionesses surrounded and caught, the mother let the two youngsters kill it - not so great for the poor impala, but a valuable lesson for the youngsters in the art of killing.  The following night, the lions set off on the hunt once more, moving through some usually prey-rich areas.  But the first animals which they encountered where a pair of porcupines and again the adult lioness seemed to welcome this as another lesson for the youngsters.  She initiated an approach on the porcupines, but then drew back and let the young females take over.  What followed, as the adult watched from the sidelines, was a painful lesson for the cubs.  Eventually the lions left the porcupines to themselves, having extracted the last of the sharp quills, and no doubt quite aware of the capabilities of these prickly rodents.  The rest of the night was then spent hunting, but apparently without catching anything and when they were located the following afternoon, the lions headed off on the hunt once more, even before the sun had set.  They soon surrounded a large herd of impala and the adult lioness caught a youngster.  But this time there was no sharing and it was every lion for itself, with the adult easily dominating.  Such battles are part of a lion's life and it is best that the young lions learn this as quickly as possible.

Towards the end of the month, the Mlowathi Pride was seen near the middle parts of the Matshapiri River, this perhaps the furthest east they have ventured since first appearing on Mala Mala. Hopefully these lions will find a permanent place on Mala Mala amongst the dynamics of the lions already around.


May 2003


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS 1 MONTH

Location: SW EYREFIELD/ CENTRAL & NW MALA MALA

Although there were only three sightings of the Mlowathi Pride this month, footprints suggested that they were around more often than this and wandered far and wide over the northern and even some central areas of the reserve.  The relative absence of the Styx Pride from these areas has almost certainly allowed these three lions this sort of access.

Towards the beginning of the May report-period, the three lionesses of the Mlowathi Pride decided to have a bit of sport with the large herd of buffaloes along the middle reaches of the Matshapiri River.  It was all high-spirited fun in many ways since the lions did not have a hope of catching one of the large bovids.  But the practice would have been good for the young females which seem to be catching on very quickly as to what is required to survive.

The last sighting of the Mlowathi Pride was towards the end of the May report-period; they were lying in what is usually a prey-rich open area to the east of the Main Camp and spent the day having animals walk around them.  It must have been quite frustrating for the young lionesses as they watched these happenings but, being so in the open with no cover to sneak up on creatures, all they could really do was watch.  A rhino bull and a lone buffalo bull were amongst the passers-by and, judging by the way in which the young lions stared at them, they were simply itching to give chase.  Just before dusk, a female leopard nearly walked into them, but bolted before they could chase after her.  After dark the trio headed out of the area; as plentiful as the impalas and kudus were around them, it would have made no sense in trying to go after these already very alert animals.

The lions were seen stalking and chasing some impala later on that evening, but failed to catch one.


June 2003


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS 2 MONTHS

Location: EYREFIELD/ SW MALA MALA/ NW FLOCKFIELD

Although there were only four sightings of the Mlowathi Pride this month, they indicated two things; firstly that the three lionesses are in fine condition and evidently getting good food and, secondly, that they are wandering much further around the reserve than has so far been documented.  On one occasion, when they were found close to the confluence of the Matshapiri and Sand Rivers, tracks indicated that they had actually walked to the area from eastern Flockfield after killing a kudu.

Earlier in the month they were found east of the upper reaches of the Matshapiri River, territory considered perhaps belonging more to the Clarendon Pride than any other family of lions.

The Mlowathi Pride is still generally considered a nomadic family of lions, working for food within an area, avoiding the more resident lion families and dominant males and trying not to advertise their presence through roaring or scent-marking.


July 2003


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS 3 MONTHS

Location: SW EYREFIELD

The three lionesses of the Mlowathi Pride were seen only once and this towards the very beginning of the July-report-period.  But, given the known mobility of this trio and their apparent passion for secretive behaviour, they were almost certainly present on Mala Mala far more frequently than this single sighting suggests.

These lions seem not to have a territory and at this stage probably do not want to involve themselves with other lions, male or female.  This would of course cause them to be secretive and move great distances in short periods, just to stay out of harms way.  One wanders just what will happen, however, when one or more of them comes into season and a male lion is sought out.


August 2003


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS 4 MONTHS

Location: SE MARTHLY/ SW EYREFIELD/ NW MALA MALA

The last sighting of the Mlowathi Pride during August was towards the middle of the month.  Although most encounters of the three Mlowathi Pride lionesses were towards the northwestern parts of the reserve, tracks and the seemingly secretive nature of these lions suggest that they cover a far bigger area on the Mala Mala reserve.Since the Mlowathi Pride does not appear to actually control any particular region, they often seem to move around with some stealth, probably hoping to minimise the chances of being detected by the lions controlling the territories which they wander around in.  


September 2003


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS 5 MONTHS

Location: SE MARTHLY/ SW EYREFIELD/ NW MALA MALA

No encounters with the lions of this family this month.


October 2003


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS 6 MONTHS

Location: SE MARTHLY/ SW EYREFIELD/ NW MALA MALA

The Mlowathi Pride was seen four times this month and twice they interacted with the Eyrefield Pride and West Street Males.  On the first occasion, they had been drawn to the scene of a buffalo carcass which was opposite the Main Camp, probably after hearing a huge uproar as the West Street Males and Eyrefield Pride surrounded and harassed an old male lion which had tried to sneak a bite to eat.  When the Mlowathi Pride saw what they were up against, they fled, as silently as they had arrived.  As far as is known, the other lions were never aware that they had been observed.

On the second occasion, the three lionesses had managed to kill a female buffalo, but this was well within Eyrefield Pride territory and, as luck would have it, members of this family were nearby, themselves having just finished off another buffalo kill.  The inevitable happened and the Eyrefield Pride chased the three Mlowathi Pride lions from their kill.  Since the Mlowathi Pride was outside their home-ground (wherever that might be) and inside that of the Eyrefield Pride, they put up no fight whatsoever and simply took off.

Nevertheless, in spite of various levels of insecurity, the Mlowathi Pride lionesses appear to be in fine condition and are clearly getting enough to eat.


November 2003


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS 7 MONTHS

Location: SE MARTHLY/ EYREFIELD-MALA MALA BOUNDARY

Although there were only three sightings of the Mlowathi Pride this month, there was some interesting insight into just how this lion family relates to some others in the area. As far as is known, the Mlowathi Pride really has no area under their control and also has no male lion or group of male lions 'caring' for them and it was this last point which was demonstrated when they approached one of the Split Rock Males which was feeding on a buffalo carcass on NW Mala Mala.  Instead of welcoming the three lionesses (or at least tolerating them), the Split Rock Male wanted nothing to do with them and the lionesses left the area.  A year ago, when the Mlowathi Pride first appeared on the scene, the West Street Males also chased them off. This then must be their life when it comes to dominant male lions; they have no need for them at present and all they really should do if they are to survive well is avoid them.  Of course all of this will change when they come into season and bodily functions dominate.

Towards the middle of November, the three Mlowathi Pride lionesses were found resting close to where the Styx Pride was eating a zebra on eastern Eyrefield.  The Styx Pride had been very active in the area and the Mlowathi Pride simply must have known that they were nearby, but didn't try to approach them or even flee in terror.  This type of almost passive acceptance of each other has been seen before, with neither Styx Pride nor Mlowathi Pride showing too much concern over one another's' activities, as long as they generally stay apart.  Some evidence, of course, suggests that the one young lioness of the Mlowathi Pride is in actual fact from the Styx Pride.


December 2003


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS 8 MONTHS

Location: SE MARTHLY/ EYREFIELD-MALA MALA BOUNDARY

The four sightings of the Mlowathi Pride were of them mostly in the western parts of their range.  However, given the secretive nature of these lionesses, it would come as no surprise if they had been in other places as well, moving with some stealth so as not to attract the attentions of whatever local lions' territory they happened to be invading at the time.

The last three sightings of the Mlowathi Pride were on successive days.  They were seen killing a female nyala on the first night, resting on the second and then leaving the area on the third, killing something small as they moved on.  The nyala kill demonstrated just how accomplished the two younger lionesses are, working exceptionally well together with the adult.
It will be interesting to see just what happens when the inevitable occurs and they come into season and seek out male lions for mating.

2004

January 2004


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS 9 MONTHS

Location: MARTHLY

The single sighting of the Mlowathi Pride was at the beginning of the report-period when they were seen on Marthly, well fed after spending several profitable days in the area.

With an increased level of Styx Pride activity this month, perhaps the Mlowathi Pride has kept away from the areas where they are often seen.  Since this pride doesn't seem to actually have a territory, they appear to wander around, keeping out of harms way by either avoiding areas or, when in them, maintaining a low profile.


February 2004


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS 10 MONTHS

Location: MARTHLY

No sightings this month.


March 2004


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 2 YEARS 11 MONTHS

Location: MARTHLY

These lions weren't encountered this month, almost certainly due to the fact that the Styx Pride remained so dominant in the areas of the reserve where they are mostly seen.

The Mlowati Pride doesn't really seem to have a territory, a home range, yes, but not an area which they defend against others.  And, with a family as powerful as the Styx Pride almost constantly in one of the regions which they often enter, they'd be wise to look for less hazardous places.


April 2004


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 3 YEARS

Location: MARTHLY

No sightings this month, almost certainly again a result of the dominance of the Styx Pride in the northern and northwestern parts of the reserve.


May/ June/ July 2004


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 3 YEARS 1 MONTH

Location: MARTHLY

No sightings during May/ June/ July 2004


August 2004


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 3 YEARS 4 MONTHS

Location: MALA MALA, EYREFIELD.

There was a single confirmed sighting of the Mlowathi Pride during this game report period, that being close to the northern boundary, along the Mlowathi River.   The adult lioness and two sub-adult females all seemed to be in good shape.

A sighting of three lionesses a few days earlier, however, could very well have been of the Mlowathi Pride.   On this occasion, the lionesses had just finished off a kudu kill, and for some reason appeared rather edgy in the presence of vehicles.   This kill took place in an area not often frequented by the Mlowathi Pride, and it is quite likely that their perceived nervousness was partly due to the presence in the general area of some Eyrefield Pride members.


September 2004


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 3 YEARS 5 MONTHS

Location: MALA MALA, EYREFIELD, MARTHLY

The Mlowathi Pride could be in the process of expanding!   One of the Split Rock Males was seen to escort the 3 lionesses of the pride, while his partner was keeping the Styx Pride company.   One of the younger lionesses of the Mlowathi Pride mated with this male for a couple of days, and she is not too young to conceive.   The first three sightings of the Mlowathi Pride all took place within the space of a week, the last of these being that of two of the females coming together, perhaps after one of them had completed her mating session.   Two of the females were seen again late in the month, in the Picadilly area.


October 2004


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                                     * 3 YEARS 6 MONTHS

Location: MALA MALA, EYREFIELD, MARTHLY

There were several sightings of the three lionesses of the Mlowathi Pride, and they are clearly under the control of the Split Rock Males, with whom they spent a fair amount of time.   At least one of the lionesses is in an advanced stage of pregnancy, and one of the others appears to also be pregnant.


November 2004


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES * 3 YEARS 7 MONTHS

Location: MALA MALA, EYREFIELD, MARTHLY

There was just one sighting of two members of the Mlowathi Pride, and they were hunting along the Manyeleti River near Paraffin Drift. The next month or two might give further clues as to what cubs may have recently been born to this pride.


December 2004


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 3

1 ADULT LIONESS  

2 LIONESSES * 3 YEARS 8 MONTHS

Location: MALA MALA, EYREFIELD, MARTHLY
There were no sightings of the Mlowathi Pride during this game report period. It can be hoped that these lionesses will soon reappear on Mala Mala, with at least one litter of cubs!

2005

January 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                     * 3 YEARS 9 MONTHS

4 CUBS                                * 4 MONTHS

Location: WESTERN MALA MALA

There was just one sighting of the Mlowathi Pride in January, but it was a good one. Two lionesses (including the older one) were present, and with them were four cubs, seen for the first time. The cubs were estimated to be just under 4 months of age at the time, and all were seen to suckle from both lionesses. It was believed, however, that all cubs belonged to one lioness. This suggests that the other lioness has an even younger litter. Time will tell! It is likely that the Mlowathi Pride has been spending most of its time on western Marthly. It is not known what has happened to the third lioness of the pride. Could it be that she too has a new litter of cubs?

The cubs of the Mlowathi Pride were undoubtedly sired by the Split Rock Males.


February 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 9

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                        * 3 YEARS 10 MONTHS

4 CUBS                                   * 5 MONTHS

2 CUBS                                   * 3 MONTHS

The lions of the Mlowathi Pride provided some fine viewing in February, and were seen on at least 9 different occasions. Until the last day of the game report period, only two of the three lionesses of the pride were seen, but then the third female was seen with her companions on that last day. Of the two lactating females, one has four cubs (although towards month-end only three were seen), while the other has two. These cubs have been stashed on the banks of the Manyeleti River, south and west of Stwise in rocky terrain, and also on and near the northern bank of the Sand River, south and west of Elephant Rock.

Early in the month, two lionesses of the pride were seen to chase and kill a wildebeest calf on the edge of the airstrip. This kill took place at midday, and the lions were not seen in the area that afternoon.

Indications are that the younger of the two Split Rock Males is probably spending a good deal of time with the Mlowathi Pride, while his older partner is more closely linked to the Styx Pride.


March 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 8

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                         * 3 YEARS 11 MONTHS

3 CUBS                                   * 6 MONTHS

2 CUBS                                   * 4 MONTHS

There was just one sighting of two lionesses of the Mlowathi Pride in March. Looking a little beaten up, they were encountered on the airstrip, and moved from there to the Sand River, upstream of where the Manyeleti flows into the Sand. No cubs were seen.


April 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 0 MONTHS

2 CUBS                                   * 7 MONTHS

2 CUBS                                   * 5 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

The Mlowathi Pride numbers have dropped by one, with the disappearance (and almost certain death) of another of the older cubs. Around mid-month, two lionesses and four cubs of the pride were seen feeding on a waterbuck kill along the rocky banks of the Manyeleti River near Paraffin Drift. Access to the sighting was difficult, and the view was somewhat restricted, but the lions were seen at the kill site for 3 days. A few days later, the two lionesses were seen. They were on the move, having been hunting, and were probably returning to their cubs. In recent months, there has only been one occasion when all three lionesses of this pride were seen together. There is speculation that the third lioness might have very young cubs, and that she is keeping the cubs (and herself) away from the rest of the pride for the time being.


May 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                        * 4 YEARS 1 MONTH

2 CUBS                                  * 8 MONTHS

2 CUBS                                  * 6 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

Although there were only three sightings of the Mlowathi Pride (all quite early in the game report period), the third sighting proved that all three lionesses of the pride do indeed still exist. One of the younger lionesses had not been seen with the other pride members for several months, except on one occasion. It was not clear from the sighting whether or not this third lioness was lactating. It was thought likely that she may have cubs that are younger than the other cubs of the pride, or simply that she is raising her cubs separately for whatever reason. It will be interesting to see if she stays with the other two females now or not.


June 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                        * 4 YEARS 2 MONTHS

2 CUBS                                   * 9 MONTHS

2 CUBS                                   * 7 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

There were no confirmed sightings of the Mlowathi Pride in June, but a couple of sightings of a lioness with cubs could have been of the Mlowathi Pride.


July 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7

1 ADULT LIONESS

2 LIONESSES                        * 4 YEARS 3 MONTHS

2 CUBS                                   * 10 MONTHS

2 CUBS                                   * 8 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

There were no confirmed sightings of any of the Mlowathi Pride members in July.


August 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7 

1 ADULT LIONESS 

2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 4 MONTHS 

2 CUBS                                   * 11 MONTHS 

2 CUBS                                   * 9 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

There were no sightings at all of any of the Mlowathi Pride members in August.


September 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7

1 ADULT LIONESS 

2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 5 MONTHS 

2 CUBS                                   * 12 MONTHS 

2 CUBS                                   * 10 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

Although there were no confirmed sightings of the Mlowathi Pride, a sighting of two young lionesses on Marthly could well have been of two members of this pride.


October 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 10

1 ADULT LIONESS 

2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 6 MONTHS 

2 CUBS                                   * 13 MONTHS 

2 CUBS                                   * 11 MONTHS 

3 CUBS                                   * 3 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

There was a single sighting of the Mlowathi Pride in October. Three adult lionesses and three small cubs (estimated to be about 3 months old) were seen near Matumi Rocks, on the northern bank of the Sand River . The lionesses and cubs were watching a large herd of buffalo with some interest, but then moved off into the reeds. Cubs as young as this, of course, need to keep well out of the way of buffalo, as many young cubs are killed by buffalo. The four older cubs of the pride have not been seen for some time and it is quite likely that they are dead. Before writing them off completely, however, it must be remembered that there have not been many sightings of the Mlowathi Pride at all in recent months.


November 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 10

1 ADULT LIONESS 

2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 7 MONTHS 

2 CUBS                                   * 14 MONTHS 

2 CUBS                                   * 12 MONTHS 

3 CUBS                                   * 4 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

No confirmed sightings.


December 2005


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 10

1 ADULT LIONESS 

2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 8 MONTHS 

2 CUBS                                   * 15 MONTHS 

2 CUBS                                   * 13 MONTHS 

3 CUBS                                   * 5 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY
No confirmed sightings although a lioness with four cubs matching the ages of some of the cubs of this pride were seen on one occasion on western Marthly but could not be positively identified.

2006

January / February 2006


MLOWATHI PRIDE = 10
1 ADULT LIONESS 
2 LIONESSES                                             * 4 YEARS 9 MONTHS 
2 CUBS                                                        * 16 MONTHS 
2 CUBS                                                        * 14 MONTHS 
3 CUBS                                                        * 6 MONTHS
Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY
Not seen this month. Reply