Lions of Sabi Sands

[vinodkumarn]

Credits:  Savannah PGR

Mhangeni pride with 16 members needing to feed on large mammals regularly! It has even become quite common for them to catch more than one buffalo at a time. On one occasion, they caught an adult cow, as well as a year-old calf, about 100m apart. Even one of the Majingilane males seemed hesitant to try and get mixed up in the feeding frenzy!

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

After a large meal, usually the first thing they do is find some water. This is a photographer’s dream - to have a large pride drinking in a row - and the Mhangene pride does this quite often.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

The pride consists of four adult females, nine sub-adult males and three sub-adult females, varying between 13 and 18 months old. With the good and consistent meals provided by the four mothers, the condition of the sub-adults is incredible, and the young males in particular are growing very fast. It is already obvious that this will be a formidable coalition if they all survive and stay together!

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

The Majingilane coalition continues to hold on to their dominance in the Western Sector. On quite a few occasions they moved much further east, demonstrating that they are still confident, and although they are getting old, are in good condition. They have remained with the Ottawa pride quite a lot this month since the pride lost the younger cubs, hoping to sire a new litter as well as score a free meal!

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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