The Mighty Mapogos

[Leo Aslan]

Lions of Africa - Mlowathi Boys (2 males) 2001-2012
Sabi Sands Game Reserve - South Africa
Ranger report: SaTan & Shaka - Brothers in Arms
...In the Lion kingdom, there have always been fascinating legends about the king. But these two brothers wrote a special era in the South African bush. Both born in Oct/Nov 2001 at Mala Mala, they were the youngest members of the notorious Mapogos and also their most famous: Despite ruling a large territory, the Mapogo coalition wasn't functioning smoothly due to internal rivalry. Many fights often broke out with the leader Makhulu and Mr. T. A closely contested clash then happened with Mr. T and Makhulu, in which Makhulu managed to grab and bite Mr. T's legs and win the encounter. After this fight, it was observed that Mr. T and Kinky Tail broke off from their four brothers, and headed east to control the northern part of the territory. Mr. T and Kinky Tail were then seen patrolling and guarding their territory for two years, managing to fight off other rival lions. However, in June 8th 2010, a coalition of five male lions named the Majingilanes entered in Mapogo territory to take over. The five males were witnessed scent-marking and roaring loudly near the Mapogo's territory. In a buffalo hunt, Kinky Tail and Mr. T were able to isolate the youngest of Majingilane males who was on lookout and began chasing him. Soon they caught the intruder and Mr. T bit down on the male's neck, Kinky Tail ripped apart the male's groin area inflicting tears and bleeding. The Majingilane male tried to fight back. Eventually Kinky Tail and Mr. T managed to break the 5th Majingilane lion's spine and he was left immobilized and left to die a few hours later. 
Kinky Tail's death: Later that same night, a filming crew witnessed the four remaining younger Majingilane lions on the move. Two of them were exposed to Kinky Tail, who immediately charged on them all by himself. They ran with KT on their tail, and the remaining two Majingilane lions came up behind KT. Without the experience of being afraid of anything, Kinky Tail attacked all four of them by himself. Eventually on a dirt road, under a cloud of dust, the 4 Majingilanes had pinned down Kinky Tail. The four males immediately started to bite and rip apart Kinky Tail. One lion was biting at his neck, another at his back; the third bit off Kinky Tail's testicles and genitalia. The Majingilanes managed to successfully snap Kinky Tail's spine, thus immobilizing him and leaving him with zero chance of survival. Mr. T eventually arrived and attempted to rescue and fight off the Majingilanes, but was outnumbered and outmaneuvered and forced to flee. Two Majingilanes attempted to track Mr. T, but were unsuccessful and returned to kill Kinky Tail. The four lions had started eating most of Kinky Tail's hind legs and his entire tail. He was seen taking his last breath while being eaten alive. During the altercation, Mr. T attempted again to save his brother. However, still injured from the previous encounter, his attempt was to no avail, and he again fled. Majingilane lions took over the territory and the pride of the two defeated lions and likely killed all their cubs.
After Kinky Tail's death, Mr. T was driven off his territory and headed back west to rejoin his former coalition with Makhulu, Rasta, Pretty Boy and Dreadlocks. Mr. T managed to rejoin and peacefully coexist with his fellow brothers in their territory. However, soon after the reunion Mr. T was observed seeking out, killing and eating his brothers' cubs. This was usually not done in his brothers' presence. Mr. T had been taking over the pride of his brothers, and the cubs were standing in his way. This was also done in an attempt to mate with the females and spread his own lineage. The Reggae Boyz Rasta & Dreadlocks disappeared in the same year (both were killed) and got the nickname "the missing Mapogos".
Mr. T's death: On March 16, 2012, another coalition of four male lions called the Selatis entered Mapogo territory from the south. The four Selatis were able to single out one of the Mapogos who turned out to be Mr. T. By the time wildlife officials and film crew arrived, Mr. T had already been attacked and had several bite wounds on his back and front shoulder. One of the bites near the back was a deep bite. Mr. T was paralyzed from the hip down from the attack and made him vulnerable from all four lions coming in for the attack. The tactic used by the Selatis was to distract Mr. T from one side, and another lion would bite and maul Mr. T from behind on the spine and genitalia. The Selatis would then stop and move away temporarily from attacking, they would then get back up and proceed with attacking Mr. T, this process was repeated several times. Eventually, the Selatis left the severely injured and paralyzed Mr. T, who died that evening.

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