Lions of Sabi Sands

[Michael]

(08-03-2018, 11:22 PM)Peteporker Wrote:

(08-03-2018, 10:35 PM)Matimbalani Wrote:

(08-03-2018, 09:21 PM)Peteporker Wrote:

(08-03-2018, 05:21 AM)jordi6927 Wrote:

(08-03-2018, 03:35 AM)Peteporker Wrote: Kirkman's Kamp

The Avoca Males are back!

After a lengthy absence, these lions made a return to Kirkman’s after having spent the bulk of their time in what we assume to be the Kruger. Their roaring could be heard throughout the north eastern parts of our concession, aptly announcing their return.

*This image is copyright of its original author

I sure wish they had one more brother in their coalition.

Agree. Their younger brothers to the north seem to be doing really well for themselves as a 3 member coalition. They control the buffleshoek area are mating with the Talamati pride. They will complete the take over of that pride in a few months when cubs are born. They gave the matimba hair belly and scorro a really good beating and have fought with the Bboys. Also, in the fight with the Bboys, I personally think that they came out on top as they are still venturing into the Djuma area in nothern sabi sands with the Bboys not wanting to defend that territory after they fought.  They are still very young and not even in their prime so in a few years they can easily take over many prides in the Manyenleti (Mbiri/Nahru, etc. as the Avoca/Giraffe males are getting old and/or they can take over prides in the northern sabi sands that the Bboys abandoned.  

Unfortunately, the southern Avocas only seem to have the eyrefield pride (2 lioness) that they've mated for a long time but still no cubs. Lion Sands reported that one of the Avoca was limping when they returned to sabi sands from the KNP possible due to the encounter with the charleston males. There's a video of this male in their facebook page that I can't seem to insert here.

I think both sets of brothers just need some time to mature. If they run into a coalition in their prime they probably will come out with the shorter end of the stick. If I recall correctly one of the Northern Avocas was separated from his brothers after the encounter with the B-Boys and that would be unlikely unless they had to run. 

They can handle lone lions pretty well. The northern brothers fought Hairy Belly while Ginger was limping at the time and couldn't keep up. The Southern Avocas chased the healthy Matshapiri around for a while too. In general, I think the Southern Avocas are in a much more dangerous neighborhood than the northern boys with Charleston and Mantis popping up in Kirkman's camp. The north is a vacuum and it would get interesting if a dominant coalition popped out of Kruger and moved there.

I agree with you. Encounters with a coalition in their prime will likely not end up well for these boys as they are only around 5 years old. Also, its true that one of the northern boy got separated in the fight with the Bboys which indicate that they had to run instead of holding their ground. However, the fact that they are still venturing back to Djuma with uncontested roars will only increase their growing confidence on taking on mature males in their prime. The Bboys may have abandoned the north for mating opportunities and not defeat, but by not returning to stake their claim, I think it became a psychological victory for the northern avocas even though they were physically beaten up.

You are trying really hard to paint a picture of the Avocas being the winners of that confrontation, they weren't one of them got separated and despite the BB's not being seen up North for more than a month they still haven't ventured further into Djuma since the confrontation.

They were seen deep into Djuma several times prior to the fight and only once after the confrontation and it was in the Northern reaches of Djuma what does that tell you ?

If they won that confrontation they would probably be a lot more brazen than what they have been. Reply