Coalitions of Kruger National Park

[BA0701]

(04-27-2021, 06:30 PM)Timbavati Wrote:

(04-27-2021, 10:41 AM)sik94 Wrote:

(04-26-2021, 07:03 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote: First picture of 4 out of 7 males who are around Satara /Singita :

Photo and Info Credit : markkaptein_wildlife

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

They where seen on eastern side on H6, which is in Singita, and responded to roar of alone male to the south.. 

Theres 3 lone, older males there, Kumana and separate Shishangaan males, so they might be in big trouble.

Caption by the photographer: Band of brothers! These male lions are part of the biggest coalition (of fully grown males) that i have ever seen. There were 7 of them and they were ready to take over.

The area around Satara in the Kruger has always supported high lion densities. Lots of prey and lots of lionesses make this area sought after by males. Because competition is huge, males need to come well prepared before trying to take over this territory. Male lions (and cheetahs as well) form coalitions with other males (often but not always brothers/littermates). The larger the coalition, the stronger and the larger the territory they can control. But having more males within a coalition also means sharing females and food between more individuals. One of the most famous lion coalitions I have heard of were the Mapogos who took over the entire Sabi Sands in 2006.
The story of the Mapogos reminded me of these boys.

Didn't the Skybed coalition originally have 9 members? Not sure how cohesive of a unit they were, as I don't seem to read as much about them as one would expect of a coalition of that size. From videos I have seen, seems they are one of, if not the, largest known coalitions. Reply