The Matimba coalition

[Tshokwane]

On the other hand of the equation of yesterday, are the dominant males of the Northeastern part of the Sabi sands, Hairy Belly and Ginger, the Southern Matimba males.
After a marathon of several days were Hairy belly was mating with one of the Styx lionesses, and his brother doing the same with another one, it was just a metter of time before they turned their attention towards the very vocal newcomers, the young Birmingham males.

*This image is copyright of its original author

[video=facebook]https://www.facebook.com/CheetahPlains/videos/968590579860057/?fref=nf[/video]

The two Matimbas are not the kind of males to take a threat lightly, and gave them a taste of their own medicine when they chased them back, after finding them with a buffalo kill. The breakaway Styx pride was with them, so it's clear they didn't want to take chances with this males around, so they chased them off while at the same time a chorus of defiant roars was taking place between both coalitions.
This video hows them returning to the site of the kill, after the encounter with the rival males.

[video=facebook]https://www.facebook.com/CheetahPlains/videos/vb.278177142234741/971773062875142/?type=2&theater[/video]

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

I must say I was very surprised when I read the reports and saw the video were people said how the Matimba males had run off first, mostly because they are known to be very agressive males that take no options when it comes to other males.
But at the same time, it makes sense. Both of them are 10+ years old, maybe a bit younger than the Majingilane, but still they are not young lions anymore. In the last months they have had several encounters with other males, mostly the Styx males and some chasing of the Fourways males, and the two Scar Majingilanes, and believe it or not, this takes it's toll in aging lions.
¿How long can they hold on if the Birmingham males decide to press on their attack?
I don't know. But what I'm sure of is that they won't go down without a fight first, and the Birmingham males will need of all their tricks and strenght, and also their numbers, to defeat the experienced and mighty Matimba males.
Time will tell what is going to happen, and we have the privilege to be witness what could be a future takeover of territory. Reply