Lions of Timbavati

[Potato]

(05-23-2021, 02:17 AM)Timbavati Wrote: Before stress or possible illness caused the “Smaller Maned” Xikukutsu Male #lion to lose most of his mane, he actually had a much thicker and darker mane than his brother.

If both stay strong and survive the next couple of years, I predict this guy, in the foreground, will dominate the coalition to a large degree. His mane is currently getting darker by the day, and growing at such a rapid rate, that the two now have manes of almost the same length and thickness.

The blacker colour in a #lions mane, although not clearly visible in this image, is a sign of high testosterone, a hormone essential to aggression and survival behaviour, and favoured by the oestrous females ( research has shown )

It’s super exciting to anticipate the next few years following this strong coalition, and hopefully seeing them live up to their potential, ruling the reserve here at @royalmalewane for years to come and leaving countless cubs to continue the Avoca Pride’s Legacy ( pride of origins for the brothers ), already legendary, considering the blood line has permeated through numerous reserves and famous prides. The Ross males of the Birmingham pride in Manyeleti, Kruger, and Timbivati; are their fathers.
The Avoca Males, Dominant in the Sabi Sands were born in the Avoca Pride.
The list goes on and on.

The chance that they are already responsible for the cubs in the Monwana pride, is high, as all males, and not only Mapoza ( their older coalition partner ) mated with all the females.

These two have also mated with members of the @blackdampride and could have spread Avoca pride genes here successfully too. Time will tell and we can’t wait for the arrival of new cubs again over the next month or two.
written and photo by: Rudi Hulshof

*This image is copyright of its original author

I just can't wait to see if up comming cubs in Black Dam pride will be white. Wasn't actually one of the white Giraffe lionesses littermate of youngest Giraffe male who sired 3 of the 4 current Black Dam females? Reply