Coalitions of Kruger National Park

[Fredymrt]

@LionKiss
Look for posts by Karin van der Merwe (who works in the area and was a drive at Nkorho. 
Or go through the wildearth site.


Now let’s move on to much more exciting updates there are many!
I’ll start with the shish Males lions of course.

WILDLIFE REPORT MARCH 2017
SINGITA KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA

Photocredits:
•Nick du plesis
•Brian rode
•Jacques briam

Shish Males

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Lions: The lion sightings were of a very good quality right the way through the month of April, with sightings of all three prides ranging all over the concession. There has been interesting dynamics between the Shishangaan males and the pressure being applied on them by the new Southern males. What we are hoping for is that the Shishangaan males can fend off the challenge from this new coalition simply because all the females in the pride are at the point where they should all be looking to mate and fall pregnant. We are all extremely excited by the proposition of new cubs, especially the idea of potentially new white lion cubs that could be born. Up until this point we have not seen any interaction but the vocalizations and tracks running both north and south are clear indications that a “coming to blows” is not far away! What is definitely in the Shishangaan males’ favour is their group size – the Southern males are a coalition of just two mature males, whereas the Shishangaan males are at least four strong.
The Shishangaan males are starting to show signs of aging though, and the male with the limp (often called the ‘’grumpy’’ male)

*This image is copyright of its original author

is seldom seen with the rest of the coalition. All this interaction and noise is not only effecting the males but also the movement of the pride as well, who are trying to stay clear of any potential conflict. As a result, we are finding them further and further North and West, pushing in almost an exact straight line away from where these new males are coming.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Speaking about the white lion earlier, we should also mention that the young male is doing very well and every time we see him his physical condition is looking better and better. We are, however, still surprised to be seeing him with the pride, especially considering that he is at least three years old already. Once again, every time we see him, we think it’s the last time along with the other young males.

*This image is copyright of its original author

The Mountain pride have also made more of an appearance this month compared to last, and it appears as if they are moving more into the central parts of the concession again. The best sighting of them this month was undoubtedly the wildebeest kill they made right in the middle of the depression area and where they were seen for four consecutive days, feeding and interacting with hyenas, black-backed jackals and vultures. It is also great to report that the cub is doing very well, and is definitely the healthiest we’ve seen her in a long time.

The Xhirombe pride was seen only on a few occasions, but we found many of their tracks in and around the lodge, especially during the middle of the month. Reply