There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
It was a successful weekend for the Styx lionesses and their 7 cubs this weekend as they managed to take down a zebra! Then they had a drink from the lodge decks, resting in the shade with full bellies. Before long, the cubs were up and about playing while the lionesses tried to rest.
The Othawa lioness has caused quite a stirr on social media of late. She was found in the north with substantial injuries. Two lioness' from the Tsalala pride have also ventured into our northern sector. As the Othawa lioness in question often breaks away from the pride and hunts and patrolls alone she is more vulnerable to intraspecific competition. We PRESUME she sustained the injuries in a territorial conflict with the Tsalala lioness. We cannot confirm this as many altercations take place unnoticed in this vast wilderness. We also need to remember that these natural territorial conflicts are part and parcel of a wild lions exsistence.
08-09-2021, 09:40 PM( This post was last modified: 08-09-2021, 09:50 PM by Tr1x24 )
(08-09-2021, 09:27 PM)Duco Ndona Wrote: That makes sense. If she went against two male lions the damage would have been more severe.
I mean there is no reason for Styx/NK males to attack her, only maybe if she was defending cubs, but i doubt she would be alone with cubs anyways..
But, she got bites on her back, that means that young Tsalala female also participate and was 2 vs 1 (dont think 1 female can beat her that badly) which is a bit strange at her age that she would dare to fight adults.
Could it be that she was attacked by hyenas in the end? Hyenas killed her sister, OM/Sassy mom.. And Aunty is quite old and has a limp, 10+ hyenas if they found her alone could do some damage.. But then again, hyenas would prob finish her off and not let go..
Im happy that Tsalalas moved in that are in north western sector /north Singita, they only need to worry about 3 ( and 2 old) Othawas, far less then what they had to deal with in Londolozi.
From what I recall from that video, its mostly her (front) legs and face that got most of the damage. While her back, safe from some scratches near the tail is largely pristine.
This leads me to believe she was in a serious fight, but either as the aggressor or at the very least did a good job defending herself.
If this was indeed Nym and Sym, she got of really easy. One, let alone two male lions would have no issue dispatching her.
But another lioness, especially if the subadult stayed out of it. Would have been a much more even fight.
It would also establish a motive. Nym and Sym indeed has no reason to pick a fight with a lioness, nor is auntie stupid enough to challenge such an overwhelming odds without her cubs present. But if she ran into the Tsalala lioness. It would have been a matter of defending her territory for auntie or the Tsalala defending her cub.
Offcource I cant rule out or confirm either scenario. It could have just as easily been Nym and Sym or a bad encounter with Hyenas or other animals. But at a first glance, the Tsalala lioness theory does seem to fit better. Especially if she was seen around the area aswell.
Question is..
Has she been seen since and if so, showed signs of a struggle herself?
Well-hidden and perfectly camouflaged in the long tawny coloured grass, the two Southern Pride cubs were seen bonding over a small bout of play fighting, while their mother watched. 10/08/2021
08-10-2021, 03:19 PM( This post was last modified: 08-10-2021, 04:50 PM by lionuk )
Personally, the smallest cub shouldn't have had been there so close by as the lionesses were ferociously eating the kill. Fortunately at the end of the video she looked okay.
