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Lions of Sabi Sands
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The Kruger male seen by Vestment Mfumo Machavi
 *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
One of the two Mantimahle males
Photo credit: Marcos Photo Gallery  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
PCMs back in the North, Chitwa Chitwa specifically. Chased some Nkuhuma Pride members as well as the Kambula males. Followed this same female from Chitwa airstrip to Arathusa runway so they seem very keen on this pride for now. Prolly a good thing Khanya most likely wasn’t with them. Hope the 2021 male is fine too.
Also in the comments of that same video, Deon confirms 3/4 Nkuhuma boys are back in Sabi Sands - Mohawk is the one who hasn’t been spotted. For those confused, that’s just how I refer to their coalition.
Update: All 4 spotted in KNP on a kill yesterday, seems to be a guides error. 
Mala Mala Game Report April 2024 https://malamala.com/wp-content/uploads/...024-LD.pdf
THE SAND RIVER PRIDE = 5 2 ADULT FEMALES ± 5 YEARS 9 MONTHS 1 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 3 MONTHS 1 SUB-ADULT FEMALE 3 YEARS 8 MONTHS 2 SUB-ADULT FEMALE 2 YEARS 8 MONTHS SOUTHERN CHARLESTON (4 sightings) The members of the Sand River pride were seen on four occasions this month. On the 2nd, one lioness was with three Nkuhlu males in central Charleston, west of the Tjellahanga River. On the 12th, four lionesses were seen feeding on a kudu carcass at Island Crossing. On the 28th, one female was with a Nkuhlu male on the Charleston Toulon Boundary near the Sand River, and another lioness was seen to the west of Jakkalsdraai Open Area. THE BLACK DAM MALES = 2 2 ADULT MALES ± 6 YEARS 7 MONTHS EYREFIELD First encountered on MalaMala Game Reserve in 2022 (2 sightings) On the 8th, these makes were found west of Wild Dog Rocks Open Area, digging in a termite mound. The next day, their digging antics continued; finally, at dusk on the 9th, they retrieved a male warthog from the burrow. OTHER LIONS ENCOUNTERED: • NKHULU MALES (3 sightings) – Three males were seen on the 2nd with a single lioness from the Sand River pride in central Charleston. The next day, four males were seen on the Charleston Toulon Boundary, east of the Sand River. One male was with a Sand River lioness east of Flat Rocks. • NKUHUMA MALE (1 sighting) – The son of the late Gowrie males was seen with another unidentified male lion near Jakkalsdraai Open Area on the 22nd. [probably Tumbela male] • KAMBULA YOUNG (3 MALES, 1 FEMALE) (1 sighting) – On the 23rd, these four individuals were found feeding on the buffalo carcass that the Southern Avoca male had made west of Mamba Waterhole.
Kruger/Torchwood pride male in great condition.
Photo credit: Ioic Naes 17.05.24  *This image is copyright of its original author
 (05-17-2024, 08:41 PM)KM600 Wrote:(05-17-2024, 06:07 PM)NLAL11 Wrote: • KAMBULA YOUNG (3 MALES, 1 FEMALE) (1 sighting) – On the 23rd, these four individuals Impressive that he is out taking down buffalo by himself. A feat, I believe happens far more than we are aware. The rare times that it is captured on video, like the famous video of Skorro of the Thanda Impi taking down one by himself, are always awe inspiring. It is unfortunate that he is in a situation that requires such daring.
Shorter-maned Southern Black Dam male alone on Djuma this morning. In the first pictures he was, according to Steve, in the exact same spot where the two Plains Camp males had their tiff over the Nkuhuma lioness a few days ago. On the termite mound he was gently contact calling, presumably for his brother.
Another update, the Nkuhumas were apparently on a giraffe kill, not a buffalo kill, that they stole from the Talamatis.  *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
 (05-19-2024, 05:15 PM)NLAL11 Wrote: Shorter-maned Southern Black Dam male alone on Djuma this morning. In the first pictures he was, according to Steve, in the exact same spot where the two Plains Camp males had their tiff over the Nkuhuma lioness a few days ago. On the termite mound he was gently contact calling, presumably for his brother. The stress of being surrounded with such strong competition is really beginning to show on this male. I reckon it's best for them to vacate SS and move on elsewhere. It doesn't seem like there is a place in SS for the southern BDMs anymore. 
He's on Wildearth for the sunset drive too... he's limping very, very badly. I wonder if that's because of old injuries, or whether something's happened to him recently.
(05-19-2024, 07:27 PM)Vengeous Wrote: He's on Wildearth for the sunset drive too... he's limping very, very badly. I wonder if that's because of old injuries, or whether something's happened to him recently. May be the cause of the apparent separation. Clash with someone, PCM, maybe, are they still in the area? (05-19-2024, 07:38 PM)BA0701 Wrote:(05-19-2024, 07:27 PM)Vengeous Wrote: He's on Wildearth for the sunset drive too... he's limping very, very badly. I wonder if that's because of old injuries, or whether something's happened to him recently. No visible scratches on him, so don't think the limp is because of fresh injuries... it's either an illness or an old injury from his clash with the Kambulas. Makhunga was in the west yesterday, his brother was on Elephant Plains this morning. Not sure where they plan to reunite, because Makhunga may have picked up the scent of Nkuhuma and Tumbela, who are back on Singita. (05-19-2024, 07:51 PM)Vengeous Wrote:(05-19-2024, 07:38 PM)BA0701 Wrote:(05-19-2024, 07:27 PM)Vengeous Wrote: He's on Wildearth for the sunset drive too... he's limping very, very badly. I wonder if that's because of old injuries, or whether something's happened to him recently. While I don't want any further conflict with anyone, for awhile, I believe all the lions could use the break. But it would be a sure telling of where exactly Skorro Jr and NYM are as partners. They have both had conflict with the PCMs, NYM ran from them, and Skorro Jr was severely injured, an injury that he carries with him still. If the two of them are confronted by a solo PCM, something we have not seen happen yet with any lions, it will be interesting to see what comes of such an interaction. 
I believe lions know their limits and where they prefer to go. We can only trust these males to go where their heart desires.... and if in the end, they err badly, well, it's a decision they have made, their strategic error. We can only look on and watch in wonder as they make calculated moves that could be fatal or not. Therefore, time will show whether the PC Males will to spread their genes further afield backfires, whether the S. BDMs bit off more than they can chew by staying in certain areas and getting injured badly, whether the NM and Skorro Jr. mistakenly returned up north in other lions' territory that's already a hotbed of turmoil..... I question the moves of all 3 coalitions at this point. But, lions have their own mysterious motives and keen senses we'll never understand, and some that will surely lead them down the wrong path, just like with humans.
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