Lions of Timbavati

[Potato]

It looks like lion dynamic in Timbavati are upside down and I am getting confused by it. It is really hard to keep up with it. 

Tanda Tula
To begin with, a correction is needed on last week’s discussion of how the River Pride males were taking over the Mbiri’s territory.  This was not because the Mbiri’s returned to claim their land (although, as I type this I can hear them roaring near camp), but rather the fact that we have been able to positively establish the identity of the three males, and know for certain that they are not the River Pride young males, but rather three new boys that appear to originate from the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve. The females that they are spending their time with are the four River Pride lionesses, and as it stands, it does appear that they may in fact, be setting themselves up as the pride males for these four ladies.  These two groups of lions provided for the bulk of our lion viewing this week, with the highlight being the three males roaring into the darkness one evening.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Three of the lionesses were seen with a baby giraffe kill earlier in the week and then spent two days sleeping off fat bellies before the fourth lioness re-joined.  The week closed off with a sighting of the two Zebenine lionesses resting next to their zebra kill, and it was wonderful to see both of them looking so healthy.  The Mayambula Pride remained unseen, despite the positive news that they did return to our concession, albeit briefly; their tracks were found on the far eastern boundary, but sadly we never caught up with them.  Other reports of lions in the area included the Giraffe Pride in the far west, as well as the other new pride of five males and one lioness in that western sector, but with lions in the east, the Tanda Tula guides didn’t venture that far afield.

There is plenty questions after this raport:
1. The last year River pride spent their time with 2 unknown male. Did those three newcomers ousted mentioned duo or perhaps same coalition just before we seen only part of the coalition?
2. What will happen with current cubs of River pride? Are those males the fathers and will accept them?
3. If they were with River pride before cubs were born why didn't they fought Mbiri males when about month ago Mbiris entered Klaserie and mated with one of the River pride females?
4. Recently I posted also some otherr young newcomers mating with Western pride females. Are those the same males which are now with River pride.
5. "This was not because the Mbiri’s returned to claim their land (although, as I type this I can hear them roaring near camp)" Will those three answer Mbiri's roars? Are they ready yet to take on mighty Mbiris (the male in the photo looks young with that mane) or perhaps I should have asked if Mbiris are ready to take on those youngsters being outnumbered. I personaly put my  pet on Mbiris but who know.
6. Are those who recently gave quite a heavy beating to Shaka?
7. Are those five males seen in the west young RP or Vuyatela and again are they the same lions?
8. Are those five seting thir sight on Giraffe pride which is in the same arena? Reply