Coalitions of Kruger National Park

[Cath2020]

(12-13-2023, 08:21 PM)Potato Wrote: Singita KNP update

With the onset of the rains, sightings of the Shish Pride have been irregular. They spent a good portion of the beginning of the month in the west of our concession near the Dumbana Drainage. The limping female, one of her younger sisters, and their five most recent cubs were seen on the rocky ridges in the southwest until one afternoon when they felt it was time to introduce the newest members to the rest of the pride.


Since then, sightings of the Shish Pride have been a jaw-dropping experience of a total of 24 lions when the Trichardt males are in attendance. Towards the end of the month, the Shish Pride had moved back east around the granophyre in the Lebombo mountains.
The Trichardt males are proving to be serious about taking over Mananga Pride territory and sightings of them this month have ranged from far south to north, both in the concession, as well as into the Mananga trails area west of the S41. They had separated at the beginning of the month with one male patrolling the south and the other following the Mananga Pride in the north of our concession, until meeting again to check up on the Shish Pride. They must keep tabs on this pride as the 15 cubs are still vulnerable to any intruding males.

Maputu and Xai Xai lions were seen in the northern reaches around Ingwe/Nkayanini south, both looking well fed and in good condition.

The Mananga Pride has yet to settle after the death of Xihamham and the pride remains separated into a group of adult females, with whom the Trichardt male has been mating; and a group of subadult males and females, who are trying to avoid the Trichardt males after their last encounter. Fortunately for the maturing young males, the Trichardt males do not seem to feel threatened enough to eliminate the youngsters, but rather just keep them away from the main portion of the pride.

An unknown pride of seven females, one subadult male and one adult male were seen this month near the western region of our concession. They are most likely from an area in Kruger or even Mozambique with few roads and/or vehicles, as they appeared to be shy and kept their distance from us, reiterating the fact of just how wild and isolated a wilderness area we are privileged to work in.

Finally some small news about the Maputo and Xai Xai coalition!  I'm stoked that they're in great condition.  I really hope the best for them and wish that they could have a pride of their own one day.  Maputo has been around but his previous partner got too old.  He really wants to form a successful partnership with another male.  Any idea which prides are near them now?  On a map in Kruger, where would they be lurking?  I need to check up on the locations since I'm not very familiar with the common roads/lodges in the KNP itself. Reply