Coalitions of Kruger National Park

[Wyld@Heart]

(05-01-2022, 05:55 PM)Gabriele Wrote: I believe that evolutionarily a father, biological or stepfather, or older brother, who takes the lead of a group of sub-adult lions is a winner. I am amazed that it is quite rare instead.

It's because the fathers, and the prides, instinct is to kick them out so they can move on and this provides for movements of genetics. Accepting the subadults as dominant males in the same pride territory when they're grown will mean they will mate with their own siblings, aunts, mothers etc so in evolutionary terms that would be a major disadvantage to the health of the lion population.

Generally if a pride male has formed a coalition with his sons/nephews it's after he's lost the territory and they've been kicked out by the new males but survived the contact. In genetic terms, that's okay because they move on to contest other territories, like the surviving Birmingham male and his son now. Older males do sometimes meet up with sons/younger siblings or unrelated young coalitions after they've become nomadic and then provide an older presence that does prove helpful. This was the case with the Mapogos, I believe, with Makhulu being at least two years older than the rest although he was integrated with them in the pride from very early on.

So in certain circumstances it will happen and does happen but in the ordinary event of males within a pride forming up with their fathers/uncles and staying in the territory? Not optimal and healthy males will see them as competition hence not seen all that often. Reply