The Mighty Mapogos

[Mapokser]

I think we can include another Rollercoaster in the list of lions killed by Mapogo, I thought the last one had passed from old age but reading the RC reports by Mala Mala posted in the Lions of SS thread, while indeed he was old and sick, he had fresh wounds on his flanks and back from a fight therefore had to be euthanized.

As early as 2007 he had been in clashes and fights with Mapogos, which intensified when Mlowathis fully established themselves in the east, but with help of females he remained around and returned to the Styx and Eyrefield pride after multiple runs with Mapogos.

But it seens they finally finished him off at the end of 2009:


"January 2010

• Rollercoaster male (+/- 13 ½ years): (5 sightings)

Another legend passes at Mala Mala. The Rollercoaster male was euthanased on the first of January. He was in poor condition and the autopsy conducted by the Kruger vet confirmed this. He had mange all along his shoulders and back he had recently been in a lion fight and had fresh wounds along his flanks and rear end. And his adrenal gland had started turning his body muscle into energy just to keep him alive."

Also found this from MalaMala Cyber Diary saying stating the infected bite marks where one of of the reasons for his demise:


"Rollercoaster male – 1 January 2010
Mala Mala lost a stalwart today -the Rollercoaster Male lion has died. He had been lying in the buffalo pans area for the past three days and was severely emaciated. He had mange on his shoulders and infected bite marks on his rump. He was 12 years old."

This makes 7 adult males then, 2 Rollercoasters, Blondie, Rocky, Dzunani, 1/2 Manyeleti, and 5th Majingilane.

If anyone knows of any other feel free to share but I think these were all the documented ones. Reply