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Lions of Sabi Sands
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Credits to Marxwildlife and Gareth poole - Kirkman's Kamp.
Yesterday we were following The Tsalala/Marthly males, when they found group of hyenas feeding on a Zebra, they managed to steal the kill from them and keep the Zebra for them. 
Photo credit to J.Carroll
"Hyenas and voltures on a carcass.But,someone comes...?"  *This image is copyright of its original author The Robbery!Lunch was soon interrupted by three Tsalala/Marthly male lions.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Mhangenis
That's a serious look. Ulusaba, 01.11.2018 Instagram image by @olgavotour  *This image is copyright of its original author
From: Lion sands
CHANCE ENCOUNTERS: ZEBRA KILL DRAWS A WILD CROWD Zebra kill draws wild crowd
I am constantly reminded of how quickly scenes can change while on safari. One minute you’re roving along, without much action, and your mind’s just begun to wander, when around the bend a leopard appears or a pack of wild dogs dashes across the path in front of you. These chance encounters are what always keep us on our toes out here. Such was the case with the morning safari of January 13th. After a leisurely drive, Field Guide Kelly Oldaker and her guests were on their way back to the lodge when they noticed a considerable number of vultures descending into an open area. Definitely worth it to investigate… A few hundred meters off the track, they found a fresh zebra kill engulfed by upwards of 70 vultures feeding alongside two hyenas. It was a frenzy as the hyenas ate with haste, while the boldest vultures pecked at the carcass, only to be chased off by the hyenas. The guttural hissing of the vultures buzzed through the air as they eagerly waited their turn to scavenge the scraps. Amongst the feathered crowd, there were hooded vultures, several white-backed vultures, and even a lappet-faced vulture. The zebra was most likely taken down by these same two hyenas – contrary to popular belief, hyenas do in fact hunt. When our group arrived with Field Guide JP Marx, much of the carcass had already been devoured. Carnivores must eat quickly in the bush, as there is the ever-looming threat of something bigger and stronger coming along to steal their meal away. This feeding frenzy was entertaining enough, but what was to happen next was the most exciting part… In a flash, innumerable sets of wings began flapping with such force you could feel the impact as their bodies scattered through the air. While the hyenas were successful in shooing the vultures from the carcass for a good five seconds, this was an entirely different reaction to a much greater threat. Warned by the commotion, the hyenas also bolted from the scene. We looked over and saw a male lion tearing through the landscape, followed by another and another. We identified them as the Tsalala Males – a coalition of three brothers who are establishing Lion Sands as part of their territory. In an instant, the scene went silent as the hyenas moved completely out of view and the vultures, which had covered the ground only moments earlier, now looked on from nearby trees. No animal was going to try to compete with these lions for food lest they become a side dish. And who could blame them? But patience is an important virtue for survival in the bush, and once the lions had their fill, the hyenas and vultures descended again. When we returned to that same spot the next day, little evidence remained thanks to these bush scavengers of the exciting scene that had unfolded the previous day. Words and images by: Charlotte Arthun  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
The GM lookalike tsalala male has also lost a tooth already just like GM? I like the symmetry there lol
I was thinking about the overall lion dynamics in the Sabi Sands as they currently stand. As I see it, the birmighams are the key that decide what happens next. The territory they hold right now takes up most of the northern area and there being four prime coalition members keeps any pressure from coalitions in the kruger or manyeleti at bay. Majingalanes are in the western block and the birminghams act as a shield for them, the sheer fire-power of numbers keeps the western block locked away for the most part from any new coalitions. The birminghams expanding into malamala and londolozi is actually good for the majingalane males, eventually the birminghams will expand into the western block but by then the majingalanes would be probably too old to even patrol their own territory. Its not a coincidence that the mantimahles just happen to never veture ay further than the southern reaches of malamala, its the presence of the birminghams which stops the mamtimahles. The southern part of the sabi sands is has become a hot spot for all the younger coalitions, the avocas and tsalalas have it pretty easy for the most part. As long as they keep away from the path of the mantimahles or the birminghams, they will be able to grow into prime males. Any newly expelled young males will probably also gravitate towards this part of the reserve. The matshpri is in the middle of all this by himself and doing his best to stay out of trouble, finding a partner would help his cause. Let's see what happens next with the new generation of sabi sands coalitions soon to come of age.
Yes , but the bboys never had an encounter with mantimahles yet. Ironicly were the majingilanes who advise the mantis over mala mala that sabi sands is not for them and then the mantis decreased their incursion over east ss.
Again the avocas could pass through over northern ss undetected by bboys and reach western sector. Majingis had to expell them with their roars coming from singita. (01-17-2018, 04:28 PM)T Rabbit Wrote: Yes , but the bboys never had an encounter with mantimahles yet. Ironicly were the majingilanes who advise the mantis over mala mala that sabi sands is not for them and then the mantis decreased their incursion over east ss. I don't think an encounter with the birminghams is necessary, the mantimahles probably smelled and definitely heard the birminghams before even entering malamala. The manjingalanes roaring probably also played a role but I don't think three over 12 year old lions roaring would stop the mantimahles in their tracks. The manjingalanes don't patrol that boundary across northern malamala either, my guess is its mainly the birminghams forcing the mantimahles to turn back each time they visit malamala.
Othawa young male
Photo by S. Machado, Ulusaba, posted 12/27/2017  *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits: Sabi Sabi PGR
Looks like Southern Pride Young males are coming to an age... Hope they survives to independence.. The eldest one is little more than 2 years... Next few months are crucial for them.. After having their afternoon nap disturbed by a large elephant bull, a pride of lions moved towards the closest mud wallow to quench their thirst.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
One of the Ximhungwe females finishing off a Civet kill.
Images by Stuart Buy  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Mhangeni Pride with Dark Mane Majingilane
Dulini, 01.17.2018 Credits: C. Young  *This image is copyright of its original author
Mhangeni Pride
Londolozi, 01.12.2018 Credits: Rebecca  *This image is copyright of its original author
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