Lions of Timbavati

[Cath2020]

I'm racking my brains as to how a male going into his prime got caught and killed the way Guernsey did.  I can understand this if he had been a sub or younger, for example.  Plenty of youngsters have been caught, picked apart, and eaten by adult males wanting to prove their superiority and dominance.  G. Male was well over 5 though, and it seems he should have outrun the other older males, or maybe he chose to stay and fight.... Hard to say.  

There's the theory of his "privileged upbringing" in a private reserve where he never had to deal with nomadic males or females intent on killing him or his siblings.... He might not have developed that savviness, that wariness, in the way he should have.  Plus, the choice of a coalition partner also put him at a disadvantage.   He never let go of putting pressure on the Mbiris with his much younger partner, cumulating months of frustration by his foes towards him.  Maybe he wrongly thought he could handle one of them on his own.  Still, he did not quite reach his prime.  Males normally do wait until they are in their full prime condition to mate and challenge for a pride, well, at least those that are solo or have weaker partners.  Underestimating your foes can be deadly, as we all clearly saw.   We see many that have to wait YEARS (closer to 10) in order to feel confident in taking a pride. Then, their patience paid off!  This can happen.  I believe he got too eager and hot-headed.  RIP dear boy.

Wonder where the young Avoca Male is now? No information at all.  Hope he didn't get caught and is still alive and healthy. Reply