There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
Fight between West Coast Mapogos (Rasta vs Pretty Boy)
The lion sightings at Savanna have been incredible again this month. Four of the Mapogo (big males) and four of the Ximungwe females have been together often, and mating with the Ximungwe pride continues. The guides are unsure how many of the females are expecting, however they are going to stop guessing, as every month they seem to be wrong! Future newsletters will however announce once the cubs have been born! Having said this, it is believed that one female – the one with the short tail – has already had her cubs just north of the camps’ boundary, but still on the concession.
A big surprise was that one of the Ottawa females has produced cubs near the river, and most guides didn’t even know she was expecting! This is unusual, as the older cubs that they still have, are about two and a half years old and still with the pride. Usually, when the young males are chased out by the adult males, the young females either form their own pride or stay with the mother to form a bigger pride, before the mothers produce cubs again.
Two of the Mapogo disagreed over the Ximungwe females, however unfortunately, the actual incident was not seen by any of the guides, but as the photograph shows, they definitely made contact, and this particular male seems to have been the loser. Over the past several months there have been plenty of short, sharp altercations, but with nothing more than egos dented or a blood nose or lip. One would have thought that a hierarchy structure would have developed by now.
The Ximungwe pride and the four Mapogo have had a glorious time this month as the buffalo herds have been in the camps’ area. At the beginning of the month they killed five buffalo of varying ages in three days!
The Sparta pride consisting of 12 lions was seen for a short while in the camps’ traversing area this month; however they only stayed for a day, before returning east to the core of their territory.