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Lions of Sabi Sands
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 (07-18-2023, 09:07 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote: If S.Avocas are indeed at Hamiltons , they are not returning. i thought there 7 males including dreadlock ? 
@Tr1x24 I bet the S.Avocas just left after constantly hearing the unified roars and sniffling the scent-marking from 5-6 males. They sensed the pressure and left. It's normal in these circumstances for outnumbered lions to go nomadic after hearing more roars than they can handle.
No need, necessarily, for Nkhulus to win a clash, chasing them or something. The clash were DeLaporte got injured was probably the Avoca's last hurrah, seeing the Nkhulus still around showing more and more territorial behaviour was probably too much for them to handle. They chased 6 males once, then 5, getting Dreadlocks and injuring him, but that not being enough to force the enemy to leave, they gave up. @kobe8jf1234 yes, 6 Nkhulus and DeLaporte male, but it's not always all 7 are together. 
@Mapokser yea but they prob left soon after Dreadlocks clash (as they where not seen after, and they are already mating at Hamiltons) , and before that Nkhulus where pressuring them for months and they didnt surrender.
So i think its more likely it was decisive move by Nkhulus soon after Dreadlocks fight, rather then S.Avocas surrendering under pressure, as in previous clashes they where on top, but who knows. Is it confirmed that both S.Avocas where seen ?
3 Nkhulu males killed a sand river pride young male and ate him RIP young boy
Iirc I saw Avocas a few days ago in their normal territory but it's possible they are at that phase of being semi-nomadic where they still feel the urge to go back to their territory to see what is happening.
Sickness or ailments from hunting accidents may also have caused them to flee. Even if they aren't severe enough for us to notice.
Anything that could have shaken their confidence in fights really. If they are seen in their old territory. That would be good news. But they might also be doing the same thing Hairy Belly did when the Tumbellas arrived. Who also was seen roaming around the reserve before occasionally returning to the Othawas. Either way. They are losing control of the situation and need to act if they want to stay. An update. This got posted by Noor on the Othawa facebook group. Its a rather gruesome photo so I put it in quotes in lack of a spoiler function. Quote:
Guys, I don't like to compare, but are nkhulu lions more brutal/aggressive than mapogos?
*This image is copyright of its original author [color=rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.54)]  *This image is copyright of its original author [/color]
Its to early to tell. We have to wait till they are extinct to make a reasonable comparison.
For all we know the Nkhulus could splitt in a few weeks into two or more coalitions with more manageable numbers. Less internal stress would result in less outward agression and things go back to normal. 
The Kambula breakaway young males - Sabi Sands
Image credit: Carol Stewart Photos Siblings. The female has her hands full with four brothers, but holds her own. The brother shown here in the middle had an unfortunate accident in the hunt the night before, being trampled by a buffalo. These are tough cats indeed.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Ximhungwe lioness
A lioness enjoying the first rays of sunshine on a crisp morning. _______________________________________ #inyatigamelodge #sabisands #safari #krugernationalpark #southafrica #wildlife #wildlifephotography #lion #lioness #monochromatc Image credit: Gabriel Keet  *This image is copyright of its original author
(07-19-2023, 08:03 PM)Timbavati Wrote: The Kambula breakaway young males - Sabi SandsUnfortunate as in he's dead? If not, any significant injuries to the trampled boy?
Question for anyone and no one: do you think a big/bigger mane has any correlation with body size in lions within a coalition?
I was thinking about the Sabi Sands coalitions and in many cases the lion with the biggest mane was the biggest in size. - Among Mapogos, Dreadlocks and Makhulu had the biggest mane and were the biggest, Mr.T had the shortest mane and is said to be the smallest; - Among Majingilanes, Scarnose had the biggest mane and was said to be the biggest; - Among Matimbas, HB had the biggest mane and was said to be the biggest; - Among Selatis, Selati #1 had the biggest mane and was the biggest in size; - Among the Kruger males, Limper had the bigger mane and was the biggest of the 2; - Among S.Avocas, bigger-maned male seems to be the biggest, and wasn't the same with N.Avocas, with Mohawk being the smallest? - Among PCM, bigger-maned male is the biggest of the 2; The examples go on, I'm sure there are exceptions but it seems that usually the male with the biggest mane happens to be the biggest lion.
The growth of a mane is related to the overal health and confidence of a lion. So its not that strange.
(07-20-2023, 09:43 AM)Mapokser Wrote: The examples go on, I'm sure there are exceptions but it seems that usually the male with the biggest mane happens to be the biggest lion. No, size of the mane has nothing to do with body size. This is equivalent of saying that taller/bigger men have bigger beards then smaller/shorter ones. Size of mane depends on testosterones lvl (mostly genetic) and overall current health condition. Some of your examples are missleading. First of all, GM was most "hairy" out of Majingilanes. Matimbas and Mapogos where all hairy dudes, except mr T, but even mr T was bigger then KT (who had much bigger mane) and around the same size as others big maned ones. Ofc, some bigger males have bigger manes then their partners, but thats not the rule. You didnt mention BBoys, 2 smallest ones, Tinyo and Nsuku had biggest manes. Also for mohawked males, i already mentioned mrT, then look at 3 Biyamitis , mohawked is biggest, or 2 BDMs, who are same size. NK has small mane, and he is pretty much size of Nhenha. 3 Bergendaal males, smallest has biggest mane. Male with best "hair gene" will have bigger mane, regardeless of size. 
Quick sighting of S8 before he headed into Buffelshoek this morning
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