Other male lion coalitions from Masai Mara

[Pantherinae]

RIP Lipstick. 

What an amazing male he was! He has been the dominant force of the topi plains in a two male coalition in one of Africa's highest lion density reserves, which is almost unheard of now days in the Mara. Big males like Earless and Boxernose, Karibu and Rafiki have already been in big problems, but Lipstick carried the much smaller Blackie through tough times and fell like a real King last night! Thanks for all the great memories and perhaps the greatest roars I've ever heard! 

 
This is perhaps the greatest footage of Lipstick, showing the immense impact and importance a male lion provides to a pride. Having such tough opponents like spotted hyenas and other male lions you need a strong protector to fend off competition. The mass public thinks of male lions as lazy, who let's the females do all the hard work, for then eating first, but here Lipstick shows that the males do the most important job of them of them all, he keeps the pride safe! 

Long live the King! Reply