Lions of Sabi Sands

[Fredymrt]

Credits to Singita

WILDLIFE REPORT

SINGITA SABI SAND, SOUTH AFRICA
For the month of July, 2018

Temperature Rainfall Recorded Sunrise & Sunset
Average minimum: 13˚C (55˚F) For the month: 0 mm Sunrise: 06:38
Average maximum: 26˚C (79˚F) From Aug 2017 to date: 568.2 mm Sunset: 17:21
Minimum recorded: 10˚C (50˚F)
Maximum recorded: 31˚C (88˚F)


The term ‘surreal’ was fitting for this month’s sightings, and it describes countless experiences that will be 
cherished forever. The winter has been filled with excitement, not only for the relief of cooler 
temperatures from the summer, but the first sight of 11 wild dog puppies had everyone beaming with 
enjoyment. In addition we have been eagerly awaiting the introduction of the new litter from the 
Mhangene lionesses. Field Guide, Joffers McCormick, had a fortunate encounter with one of the lionesses 
as she moved her cubs into the Sand River – it was a sighting that will remain very high on most lists of 
memorable occasions of guiding in the bush. We have had some brief long distance viewing of the cubs 
since that sighting. We look forward to the new pride members settling down in the area. Interesting 
though that one of younger lionesses from their previous litter has been ‘adopted’ and remained with the 
three remaining adult Mhangene lionesses. Time will tell how long the young lioness will be tolerated with 
the new cubs.

Here's a highlights package of the month's sightings:
Lions
The sub-adult Mhangene pride members continue to roam large areas of the Sabi Sand and most recently
have been sighted on a few occasions feeding on various carcasses. Current sightings have only reported six
young males and two females. As these lions continue to grow and fend for the fittest to survive, they will
certainly fragment due to the higher number of males to females. The males being larger in size will
overpower the females when feeding on smaller prey.

*This image is copyright of its original author

The uncertain future of the Othawa pride male Article by Renain Venter
Contrary to popular belief, lions don’t have it as easy as everyone thinks. They have the title “King of the
Jungle” and it’s not easy keeping the title. Firstly, everything that they try to catch has evolved to evade and
outrun them. They would need to get really close (less than about 10-15 yards) to their prey before even standing a 30% chance of catching it. This sometimes leads to lions going without food for up to a couple of  weeks. With these statistics not being in favour of the lion, there are even more statistics against male lions. A lion at birth already only stands a 50% chance of making it to adulthood and for males it is even 
less, possibly reduced by another 50% on top of that. The male lion at birth, if lucky enough, would try stick with any brothers or male cousins, as they would be a much stronger force to be reckoned with than if they were solitary. They would have to leave the protection of their mothers as they would by that time have new youngsters to take care of. 
The fathers of those young male lions would also not be very happy with theirpresence as they might see them as a threat. Off they go into the dangerous world where they would have to try stay under the radar and avoid any confrontation with any males until they reach the age of five or so, where they stand a chance to possibly take over a pride. This all the better if you have brothers to join. If you don’t have anyone to join, life becomes so much tougher! You would have to feed yourself, fend for 
yourself and find your own way around. Sometimes an option is to join up with other males around the same age and hope you don’t get killed. The male would have to be very submissive and it’s not going to come without any battle scars. Currently there is one male roaming the Sabi Sand region that comes from the Othawa pride which spends much of its time just north of the Sand River. Unfortunately he doesn’t have any brothers to join and his fathers have also met their eventual fate, so it is going to be tough on him, especially with new groups of males moving in to see if they can take over the unoccupied territory. Currently he has left the territory and is on the run to find either other males to join, if they allow him to, or maybe he could one day stand a chance of having his own territory. Probably his best hope would be to try to get accepted into another band of up-and-coming almost-adult males, in the bid to become a part of a strong coalition. Reply