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Lions of Sabi Sands
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 (03-10-2022, 10:56 PM)Mdz123 Wrote: At this point is it possible that Nhena forms a coalition with NYM and Kambula Subs? It would be 8 males coming togehter so it is not a likely scenario. Its hard to predict what will happen, all 8 males together? Highly unlikely. Also, most of Nhenha's sons are 1-1,5 yrs away from age where they can fight for territory, even 2 oldest males are not even 4 yet..They are also quite scattered these days, so who knows what will be with them. I think Nhenha will stick with NK male, will they become dominant until Nhenha is too old? Idk.  
8 is far to large for a coalition, especially one with barely connected lions. So it wil likely fall apart pretty fast.
Nhenha is likely wandering around aimlessly now. Occasionally joining up with other nomads that arent to hostile. Chances are thats all he will be doing the rest of his life.  (03-10-2022, 11:45 PM)Duco Ndona Wrote: 8 is far to large for a coalition, especially one with barely connected lions. So it wil likely fall apart pretty fast. Nhena and NK were apparently hunting together in a post from like yesterday, and moved off after hearing the Nw's roaring. I think that partnership has potential, they have been hanging out together for a couple weeks now. I don't think he's aimlessly wandering, If he finds a pride without a male or a vacant territory, he's still capable of taking it.
"Styx pride scattered across Sabi Sabi. There seems to be some unrest in the pride after clashing with the Southern Pride female"
By Field Guide Keenan (03-11-2022, 12:01 AM)sik94 Wrote:(03-10-2022, 11:45 PM)Duco Ndona Wrote: 8 is far to large for a coalition, especially one with barely connected lions. So it wil likely fall apart pretty fast. He was also seen alone in between those two sightings. So he doesn't spend all his time with Nym currently. Its a bit similar to what we saw with HB last year. Who also hung out with Nym occasionally in his final months. I don't think such a spot currently exist in Sabi Sands. The closest is probably the Mhangeni pride. But they recently shifted their attention to the PC males which may be a bit too much for them. Even if they stick together.. (03-11-2022, 01:36 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: He was also seen alone in between those two sightings. So he doesn't spend all his time with Nym currently. Since they where seen together in western sector, both where first seen alone in Umkumbe/Sabi Sabi few days ago, and then now together again, this implies they together traveled to this area, even in established coalitions males are not always together. HB didn't hang out with NK male in his final months, NK male was with Styx male at that time, there was only 1 sighting where NK/Styx joined HB on a kill and thats it. If you imply on earlier sighting of the 2, that was in early 2020, HB was at that time still fully dominant over Othawas and Western sector. (03-11-2022, 01:36 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: I don't think such a spot currently exist in Sabi Sands. The closest is probably the Mhangeni pride. But they recently shifted their attention to the PC males which may be a bit too much for them. Even if they stick together.. When did Mhangenis shifted towards PC males? Thats not the case. If they stay together, NK and Nhenha might not try to challenge other coalitions, but as @sik94 said, if they find some vacant territory or pride searching for males, they will take it ,and that doesnt have to be in Sabi Sands.
In any case, its still to early to call them a coalition now. One may still just be following the other for food or something like that.
These bonds don't form overnight. Perhaps if they are still together in a few weeks and their bonds have been tested in adverse moments. As for the Mhangeni. This is from Singita. Quote:Closer to the end of the month it seems as if one of the older Mhangene lionesses has also moved away from the pride to mate with the Plains Camp males. We watched in awe one evening as two Mhangene lionesses interacted with the male, both females submitting to him with no aggression from his side, only vocalisation. It was incredible to watch!  (03-11-2022, 02:43 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: In any case, its still to early to call them a coalition now. One may still just be following the other for food or something like that. Only 2 females dont mean that the entire pride will accept PC males. ESPECIALLY if they have OM’s last cub. Unless a breakawy forms, or this is mock mating.
Also I agree with your first statement. We will see if NYM and Nhena are still together for the next few days/weeks, if they stay sptogether then they can be considered as a coalition. Right now i believe is too early to call them a coalition
(03-11-2022, 02:43 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: As for the Mhangeni. This is from Singita. Oh i miss that. 
A lot is written about male lion coalitions and there seem to be a fanatical following of some coalitions as well as individual male lions within that coalition. But in lion society, the pride is the most important structure and responsible for the success and proliferation of the species. So I wanted to see which of the current or past SS lionesses you lot think are iconic or are your favorites. I'll start off first.
My undoubted favorite has to be Sassy the Othawa lioness. From a sentimentally genetic perspective, she is a conjoining of the bloodline of the two most (in)famous lion coalitions in SS. But her own life has been remarkable. She had to go through a relatively tough adolescence as her fathers died when she was barely 3. She seemed to have been a precocious hunter from an early age and along with her brother the Othawa Male, definitely helped the aging and small pride survive those tough months without any dominant males. They even helped out in a couple of scraps with the Mhangeni pride as well. Apart from her undoubted hunting acumen, she has proven to be a great mother as well, having successfully raised all 3 of her first litter to an age where they were able to disperse successfully from the pride while also navigating a pride takeover when the litter were only subadults. And it seems like she is well on her way to replicate that success with her second litter as well. I believe she is only 8 years old so she is in her prime and should be able to raise 2-3 more litters while leading her pride for around 7-8 further years. If she sticks around that long and replicates her cub-rearing exploits, the Othawa pride will well and truly be rebuilt and thriving by the time she is done. And that would be a fitting legacy for her. 
Two N’waswishaka lions were walking around the area where the Birmingham & Nkuhuma lions were seen & vocalised & marked their territory heavily.They are without a doubt aware of their presence. They then moved off and joined up with the Southern Pride lioness & her 2 cubs
Credits: Sabi Sabi Reserve / Ronald Mutero .  *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
Kruger male back in the Sabi Sands with the Torchwoods yesterday
Photo by Lauren Dent |
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