The Mighty Mapogos

[Leo Aslan]

Mapogo Lions - Safari Highlights of 2012
Ranger report: Year 2012 - Dramatic demise of the Mapogo Coalition
...At the beginning of the year, the remaining Mapogos still ruled in the western sector. Gray clouds were gathering over the horizon as 4 newcomers advanced deeper and deeper into their territory, apparently trying to overthrow the old kings. Pretty Boy was surprisingly attacked by the 4 Selati males when he was alone on patrol. Makhulu and Mr. T saved him at the last moment. Weeks later, the final showdown took place. The defining moment had to come, speculation as to how and when has dominated conversation around dinner tables and campfires in recent weeks. Every epic tale must build up and deliver a scintillating finale and the story of arguably the most acclaimed and notorious coalition of male lions ever documented to prowl Africa certainly did!
After their brief encounter with the 4 Selati (Southern) males a few weeks earlier when the bent spine Mapogo member was slightly injured, the dynamic changed and a follow up encounter involving the coalitions was imminent. Was it the Ximhungwe lioness mating with the Selati males a month ago and giving them a taste of the trophy at stake?  What is certain is that a number of factors led to the showdown and heart wrenching culmination on the morning of March 16th!
Firstly the youngsters moving in, strengthening their coalition bond, scent marking all over the Mapogo’s northern territory. It was almost as if they were preparing themselves for the inevitable confrontation. On the morning of the 16th when we received the radio message “we have audio of lions fighting in the south”, we knew it was on! The initial message was relayed as 3 Mapogo’s have isolated a young male, this is what we expected…what we wished to be for the proud old men we had known for so long! On arrival on the scene to see the tables turned was unforeseen, shocking…it took us all some time to grasp what was unfolding in front of us. We expected all 3 Mapogo’s to stand their ground and rise to the challenge! The old boxing adage “You’re only as good as your last fight” certainly holds true! It was the veteran gladiator that stood up to be counted and fought admirably for his territory, his offspring, his lionesses and ultimately his livelihood as a male lion! Without a territory is he not a male lion? He would rather die defending his pride than live out his existence as a castigated nomad, whatever your thoughts are on the short maned Mapogo and there are many contrasting opinions! He will always be respected and remembered for his character and fearlessness. An afternoon thunderstorm rose eerily and saturated the bloodstained earth, washing away the Mapogo bloodline and unveiling an exciting new era.
Makhulu and Pretty Boy lost their brother Mr. T and now after years as unrestricted Kings of Sabi Sand, they became nomads again...without a pride, without a kingdom. They wandered around for weeks and months, avoiding the dominant coalitions. Whether Selati, Majingilane or Solo & Cleo, all of them were now ready to give the Mapogo story a final blow.
The last Spartans decided to go south and gathered forces for a last Hurrah against the two powerful KNP males Freddy and Limper. It was their last Battle. Limper Kruger lost his life, but Freddy Kruger still retained dominance over the Southern pride.
After this episode, our heroes left Sabi Sand for the first time and marched towards Kruger park. it was a short intermezzo in the area around Crocodile Bridge where the 6 powerful Gomondwane males were the absolute rulers.
They returned to their homeland and Pretty Boy's physical condition began to fade. The Phoenix of Mapogo had TB and the disease began to destroy his health more and more. In December of that year he was no longer seen with his brother.
The last of the Mapogos was now the oldest, he...the godfather, the boss.
Makhulu struggled alone for weeks through the African bush and as of March 2013 he was no longer sighted,
What remains is an incredible story about 6 brothers who showed the world what the true life of a male lion is.
They came, ruled and became legend of the Savannah. R.I.P.

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