The Birmingham Males

[Potato]

Mala Mala November:

THE GOWRIE MALES = 2 
1 ADULT MALE ± 10 YEARS 11 MONTHS 
1 ADULT MALE ± 9 YEARS 11 MONTHS

This month, 13 sightings of the younger Gowrie male were recorded. The last confirmed sighting of both males together was on the 26th of October in eastern Flockfield. All 13 sightings of this male were in Flockfield. The Gowrie male was seen with members of the Kambula pride in all but two sightings. On the 8th , he was with members of the Kambula pride on a buffalo kill north of the Kapen River west of the KNP break. On the 25th , he was with members of the Kambula pride on a buffalo bull kill on the MalaMala Flockfield Boundary east of White Cloth Open Area. 

THE KAMBULA PRIDE = 29 
3 ADULT FEMALES ± 8 YEARS 8 MONTHS 
3 ADULT FEMALES ± 8 YEARS 5 MONTHS 
6 SUB ADULT FEMALES ± 3 YEARS 3 MONTHS 
5 SUB ADULT MALES ± 3 YEARS 3 MONTHS 
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE 2 YEARS 6 MONTHS 
1 SUB ADULT MALE 2 YEARS 6 MONTHS 
3 CUBS 8 MONTHS 
4 CUBS 6 MONTHS 
3 CUBS 4 MONTHS

For the last few months, we have reported the challenges of attempting to keep up with the dynamics of this pride. With the sub-adults almost reaching adulthood, lionesses having new litters of cubs, the ageing of the dominant coalition (the Gowrie males), and the presence of new males in the area, this pride is very fragmented and spread out throughout their home range. This month was no different, with additional elements adding to the fragmentation of the pride. The sudden advancement north by the four Ndhzenga males and over 100mm of rainfall have contributed to the reduction of sighting of members of this pride. For the most part, the pride has shifted away from the Sand River and seem to spend time in the eastern section of their territory. 

The groupings of this pride showed similar fragments as in previous months, with the three lionesses and cubs spending time in central Flockfield, making use of the rocks on Baby Elephant Walk used as a den site.

The bulk of the pride, consisting of one adult lioness and the sub-adults, was spread throughout the pride's territory and did not move together as one unit. The presence of the Ndhzenga males in their territory meant that these lions spent their time avoiding potential conflict. The remaining two lionesses continue to spend time in the area of MalaMala Camp.

Noteworthy sightings: On the 3rd , two lionesses had a warthog kill south of Old Wildebeest Crossing. One adult lioness, three sub-adult males, three sub-adult females, five cubs and a Gowrie male had a buffalo bull kill north of the Kapen River, just west of the KNP break on the 8th .
On the 11th , three sub-adults were feeding on an elephant carcass south of Rattray's camp. Although, the sub-adults and the younger Gowrie male avoided the elephant carcass on the days when the Ndhzenga males fed on it. Four adult lionesses, a sub-adult male and the younger Gowrie male, had a buffalo kill east of White Cloth on the 24th; on the 25th, cubs joined them. Two adult lionesses ad 11 sub-adults had two buffalo cow kills midway along Emsagweni on the 28th . The month ended in a brutal finale as 12 sub-adults killed the male leopard that we've referred to in the Game Reports over the last 18 months as the 'Marthly Nervous' male at Paddy's Pool's. Reply