History's most brutal killers, the Majingilane Male Lions

[Tshokwane]

Credits to Chris Renshaw, Safari Architects.

The Munghen pride and Majingalane coalition drama:

Whilst guiding at Singita Sabi Sands, Chris and his guests came upon a scene that can only be described by three words: Power, Dominance and Intensity. The dominate Majingalane male lion coalition had bumped into their lionesses and cubs, the Munghen pride, who had killed an impala. Being the dominant male lions, they executed their right to the spoils… Well, the females had something to say about this and the below images explain what happened.

The females see the males approaching and stand to attention. You can see the blood and remains of the carcass on their faces.

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The females move to greet their males to show respect and submission, in the hope of retaining their meal.

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The males approach in a dominate pose, heads up and roaring. Claiming this scene and taking ownership of the carcass.

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A female rubs a male, to re-affirm scent and try to calm and placate the male.

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The tension in the air is palpable and as the males move towards the carcass, all hell breaks loose and a fight erupts. The males chase after the females to claim the meal. With menacing intent in their eyes and roars bellowing, breaking the early morning peace and quiet, the males move up and down and claim what is their right.

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For a moment everything calms down and the males feed on what remains of the unlucky impala. The juvenile lions are now curious of their powerful fathers and begin moving towards them to try and get a piece of the meal. At the same time, the lionesses are not so easily distracted from their hard earned meal and proceed to muster up some courage.

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This is not a good idea… In a flash, an almighty roar and explosion of power erupts. The male takes out his wrath on one of his sons and puts him his place with few well placed blows of his mighty paws and biting jaws.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

In complete submission, the cub rolls on his back and accepts what punishment is about be dealt out. Instinct drives this behaviour and one day when he is big and strong, he will do the same. The cub learnt valuable lessons from the this brutal exchange.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

We watched this exchange with wide eyes and adrenaline filled wonder. What an incredible display of power and dominance. It took a while for all of us to calm down and digest what we had just witnessed. The intensity of the exchange is a paradox of what we usually associate lion sightings with. From sleeping beauties to rage-filled warriors. This is why I love lions, they epitomise everything that is the African bush. Peaceful beauty, wonder and splendour that in an instant can become brutally intense with awe inspiring power. Reply