Coalitions of Kruger National Park

[Potato]

https://singita.com/wildlife/world-lion-day-get-to-know-the-lions-of-lebombo/

GET TO KNOW THE LIONS OF LEBOMBO

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Xhirombe Pride
The lion now known as the Xhirombe Male was born close to Singita Lebombo Lodge in April 2013. In his formative years, he was most regularly seen in the company of his mother and surviving female sibling in the southeastern part of the concession near the border with Mozambique. This small pride of three (an off-shoot of the Mountain Pride, according to some of the longest-serving trackers in the area) specialised in scavenging along the fence-line between South Africa and Mozambique and also developed a unique hunting technique by chasing game into the fence. While it is presumed that the Xhirombe Male’s mother has passed away (she was very old and has not been seen since March 2019) and his sister has gone further afield, he is still seen patrolling his territory and feasting on his kills. His habit of avoiding other prides and therefore any confrontations with other territorial males means that he has very few battle scars and is one of the most handsome lions in the area. Xhirombe means “Rock Fig” in the local language of Shangaan.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Kumana Males

Comprising three adult male lions – one with a golden mane, two with black manes – this coalition was previously known as the Hilda’s Rock or Skukuza Males. They were raised by the Hilda’s Rock lionesses about 70km southwest of the concession before establishing a territory around Kumana Dam, where they were first seen in July 2018. They have been known to trail the Shishangaan pride, even mating with two of the lionesses earlier this year, but generally they stay in the southern part of the Singita concession, rarely venturing north of the N’wanetsi River.

*This image is copyright of its original author

They are dominant males of Shishangaan pride.

Shishangaan Males
The Shishangaan Males are presently a coalition of three adult male lions. Aged roughly between 10 and 14 years old, the main part of their territory stretches northwards from the N’wanetsi River, and westwards beyond the border of Singita’s concession. The oldest of the males, referred to as Xihamham, or the “Grumpy Male”, has been known to associate with the Mananga Pride and the Mountain Pride, even stealing their kills when a leg injury prevented him from hunting successfully. All three males have been seen mating with Shishangaan or Mountain Pride females, as well as taking down rival males who venture into their territory.

*This image is copyright of its original author

They are dominant over Mananga and Mountain Prides.

Shishangaan Pride

Perhaps most well-known for its most famous member – the “White Lion of Satara” – much of this pride’s territory lies within the Singita concession. They were once a mega-pride, numbering more than 30 individuals, but the group became so large that they were having difficulty feeding all the members. The pride subsequently split into two distinct groups, known as the Smaller and Larger Portion of the Shish Pride. The distinctive white lion, who was born into the pride in July 2014 near the area of the concession known as the Sticky Thorn thickets, is usually seen with the Larger Portion. A white female was also born to this pride, although she died at an early age.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Until last year, the Shishangaan was the dominant pride in the area with a significant territory and regular litters of cubs being born. In recent years, some of the sub-adults have splintered off while other members of the pride have been killed or badly injured by rival males. Sightings of the pride from the last few months have included seven lionesses who have been roaming outside the concession since last year and three sub-adult males (including the white lion) on a buffalo kill.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Mananga Pride
These eight females are mainly seen in the central and western areas of the concession and spend a lot of time beyond its western boundary. They have been spotted fairly regularly throughout this year, most notably in the company of the three dominant Shish Males near a body of water known as Gudzani Dam or with Xihamham; the Grumpy Shishangaan Male.

Mountain Pride

Consistent sightings of the Mountain Pride on the Singita concession have been recorded for more than 15 years. Also once a mega-pride of the Kruger region, their numbers peaked at 37 some years ago. They are often accompanied by at least one, if not two, of the beautiful Shish male lions. The pride currently consists of three adult females, one sub-adult female and three cubs, who were born in January 2018. These lions are usually seen in the central area of the concession and are often also accompanied by Xihamham.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Northern Pride

A relative newcomer to the Singita concession, crossing into the area from the north for the first time in February 2016, the Northern Pride most recently numbered ten individuals. One of the lionesses is easily recognisable for her very scarred face, with big gashes around her mouth. As recently as January this year, five sub-adult males and a young female were seen chasing wildebeest in areas of open grassland and, on another occasion, seven sub-adult males and three young females were seen feeding on giraffe. All ten members of the pride were spotted recently near an area of the concession called Quelea Nest.

Other prides and unknown lions

A number of prides and coalitions whose territories skirt the edges of Singita’s concession are seen near the boundary from time to time. These include the three large Northern Males, the Southern Pride and the Collared Pride; a group of six very shy lions, one of which wears a telemetry collar. Singita’s Field Guides and trackers also regularly record sightings of unknown lions – usually males – crossing into the concession in search of new territory. Reply