Coalitions of Kruger National Park

[Fredymrt]

WILDLIFE REPORT
SINGITA KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA
For the month of December, 2017

*This image is copyright of its original author

Photo: Jacques Briam

Temperature Rainfall Recorded Sunrise & Sunset Average minimum: 20°C (68°F) For the period: 58 mm Sunrise: 05h08 Average maximum: 33°C (91°F) For the year to date: 464 mm Sunset: 18h44 Minimum recorded: 14°C (57°F) Maximum recorded: 40°C (104°F)
In the final month of 2017, we experienced soaring temperatures and the increased promise of rain. The summer sun in the early morning brought with it the call of a multitude of bird species, that were in full song throughout the month.

Lions
As is the case more often than not in this area, we are proud to report that the lion sightings have been regular and high quality yet again. No kills were viewed this month by guide or guest, but lions were seen feeding on kills on at least four occasions. The reason we are seeing kills and feeding sessions a little less than usual we attribute to the fact that until late in the month, most of the large herbivores were still on the rich grasses growing west of the concession, on the previously burned areas. This means that the smaller prey is eaten before we find the lions in the morning, with the only evidence being pinkish jowls and full bellies.
The Shishangaan Pride is in many regards the flagship pride of this area, not only because of the massive number of lions in the pride (as many as 19), but also because the pride contains a young male white lion. Sadly, we have not seen this pride many times this month, as there have been few buffaloes to follow onto the concession. Towards the end of the month, they were seen a few times out on the H6 public road. Interestingly, the young males in the pride, who are now older than three-and-a-half-years-old, continue to live in the relative lap of luxury of life in their natal pride. They have now passed the usual age for male lions to be removed from the area of their birth, and with each month it will become more difficult for the
Shish Males and lionesses to remove them, as they are becoming a force to be reckoned with in their own right.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Photo: Sean Bisset
the Mountain Pride Sightings of the Mountain Pride has been very regular this month, as much effort is made to find them in the absence of the Shish Pride. The young lioness in the pride continues to grow from strength to strength and it is not long now before we will begin to see her actively taking part in hunts. For the most part, the unusual pattern of a fully grown male lion spending nearly all of his time with this pride continued throughout the month. In the last week, however, one of the mountain pride lionesses split off from the group with the Shish Male that has a limp, giving the pride some respite from his presence. Whenever a lion and lioness split off in such a fashion, the assumption is that the lions are mating, during which the separation period from the rest of the pride can last for more than a week. At the time of writing, the lioness had not yet re-joined the Mountain Pride.

Grumpy Shish male

*This image is copyright of its original author

The Shish Males seem to have had an interesting time of it in December 2017. One of the older males in the coalition of four who has a bad leg, spent most of the month with the Mountain Pride, as mentioned above. His direct brother, with only one eye, has not been seen for more than a month now, and we fear that he has been killed. Adding weight to this assumption is the fact that the younger pair of males in the Shish Coalition were seen on the concession near the beginning of the month bearing severe and fresh wounds from a fight. These wounds included a clear bite mark on the shoulder blades of one of them, and the only time that lions get bitten on the back is when they are outnumbered. It is too early for confirmation, because the resilience of lions is legendary. Also, knowing the character of that individual, we would not be surprised if he walked onto the concession bearing a few new scars, but otherwise none the worse for wear.

Interestingly enough, there have been no sightings of the Southern Males at all in December. They have, however been heard from the lodges on a few occasions, adding to the chorus of the night.
Articles by Blaine Moolman & Brian Rode
Photos by Sean Bisset, Jacques Briam Singita Kruger National Park, South Africa Thirty-first of December, 2017


This is The "one eye" male (Photo taken by nick dup in 2014)

*This image is copyright of its original author

Here is what Brian rode  wrote: "unfortunately we have not seen the 1- eyed male in approximately 2 months now and fear that he may not be around anymore..  I think they may have been fighting with the N,wanetsi Males that occur further West"
Note: This is not confirmed! Reply