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Also what are the chances of junior (and the rest) joining up with the two nomad males? I don't think I've ever seen coalition formation, do rejections happen?
(01-08-2021, 05:33 PM)Tonpa Wrote: Also what are the chances of junior (and the rest) joining up with the two nomad males? I don't think I've ever seen coalition formation, do rejections happen?
It would be unlikely that Junior would be accepted into that coalition.
(01-07-2021, 06:46 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote: Junior reunited with subadults, also with Sassy :
Photo Credit : Nadine Schutte
Was HB with them?
Someone on Facebook was claiming that HB was with them. I hope he manages to stick with them, but Facebook claims should be taken with a heavy grain of salt.
(01-09-2021, 12:29 AM)Tonpa Wrote: Who are these Lionesses by the way? They are completely solo?
Southern Pride lioness down in blue circle (she now has 2 cubs) .. Up north Ximhungwe lioness with cub and 8th Nkuhuma lioness (idk if she is alive still)..
The male lion dynamics of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve – in particular Londolozi – have been thrilling over the past two decades. Dating back to the legendary Mapogo coalition of six males who tore through the Lion and Hyena populations of the reserve in the early to mid 2000’s, onto the Majingilane males who ruled the roost on Londolozi for way longer than most coalitions hold tenure. Needless to say Londolozi has experienced some of the most entertaining male lion game viewing that all of South Africa has ever seen. With the past three years being relatively calm in relation to our history I believe a shift is brewing and male lion conflict may be just around the corner…
The Majingilane coalition in their prime on Londolozi. These four males took over from the famous Mapogos. A coalition of this number and pure size can be a threat to any current Lion population.
*This image is copyright of its original author
The current males of Londolozi consist of the two Birmingham males (dominant over the south-eastern parts of the reserve), the single Othawa male (dominant over the south-western and western areas) and the two Northern Avoca males (dominant over the northern sectors). Waiting in the wings are the Styx and Nkuhuma young males.
The two remaining Birmingham males are slowly approaching the end of their reign. At the age of around 10 years, male lions begin to experience a decline in dominance due to physical deterioration; this is exactly where the Birminghams find themselves at the moment with one male slowly losing condition and looking a little on the old side of the scale.
One of the two Birmingham males whos physical appearance is slowly fading.
*This image is copyright of its original author
The Othawa male however was born early 2015, so is entering his prime. More than most other creatures, male lions find their dominance in numbers. The more males in a coalition the chances are the more dominant the coalition will be. In other words even though the Othawa male is large, fit and youthful, he doesn’t strike me as a threat to the rest of Londolozi’s lions (although I could be proven extremely wrong).
The five year old Ottawa male. Currently dominant over the Mangheni pride.
*This image is copyright of its original author
Londolozi has started to view a new set of young males right in the heart of the reserve. These two young males have come from prides of their own which in itself is not too common an occurrence (coalitions normally consist of males born into the same pride).
The males have found themselves residing with each other after initially breaking out of the Styx and Nkuhuma prides. The two of them are around four years old (born 2016). These two males are still very much in the phase of trying to remain undetected unthreatening to any other lions in and around the area, this will carry on for at least another year or so, purely based on their size and status as smaller males who are surrounded by much older, larger rivals.
Both Styx and Nkuhuma young males have yet to develop full manes.
*This image is copyright of its original author
The Northern parts of Londolozi see the Avoca males in dominance. With these two males being in their prime and strongly territorial over the Nkuhuma pride it is unsure whether they’ll push further south to take full control over the bulk of Londolozi.
The Northern Avoca males.
*This image is copyright of its original author
With the two remaining Birminghams reaching the end of their prime and no other particularly aggressive/dominant male lions in the south of Londolozi, who knows what’s in store for the future of Londolozi’s male lions and their prides (bearing in mind lionesses and their cubs rely on the fathers’ protection for survival of the cubs).
Will the coalition of four N’waswitshaka males who we have yet to see, push up from south of our borders? Will new blood enter from the Kruger Park?
Nothing is ever for certain with the future of the male lions but it certainly feels like come upheaval is imminent…
(01-10-2021, 08:44 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote: Wow i never knew that lion can lose condition from scars on his face lol..
But except that, this is quite good article from Londolozi, finally..
So what is the latest with the Mangheni pride? How many cubs currently with the pride. It appears that another cub has been lost as per FB posting. If true, it confirms again that the lionesses are unable to care for the cubs adequately. I have seen videos where the lionesses are walking ahead leaving the cubs behind. Its very easy for a cub to get lost in this scenario. An update would be greatly appreciated.
(01-10-2021, 10:32 PM)felinefan Wrote: So what is the latest with the Mangheni pride? How many cubs currently with the pride. It appears that another cub has been lost as per FB posting. If true, it confirms again that the lionesses are unable to care for the cubs adequately. I have seen videos where the lionesses are walking ahead leaving the cubs behind. Its very easy for a cub to get lost in this scenario. An update would be greatly appreciated.
Update on Othawas from Ulusaba Sofa Safari video :
*This image is copyright of its original author
Junior was with his mother and young subadult female, 2 subadult males are seen together but on their own and Sassy and other Aunty Othawa are with Tumbelas..
We can expect this kind of spliting for some time, until Othawa young males dont leave/get ousted from western sector and pride,which might not be that soon, as Tumbelas are not pressuring them so far it seems.
