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Lions of Sabi Sands
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Londolozi Blog. Nkuhuma and Skorro males seen together. Ndzenga/N'waswitshaka males and PC males also mentioned.
https://blog.londolozi.com/2024/01/08/is...coalition/ Not sure when these encounters happened but it seems that these two boys might still be trying to work things out. The established coalitions aren't happy about it though. 
It appears to be after the split. But it seems both lions are still rather unsure about each others intentions. So they aren't a coalition yet.
I was unsure if it was after the split as we've seen them roaring at that time and the article says they roared after the interaction with Ndhzenga and PCM.
But considering everything else, it seems it has to be after the split. It is very likely they split because they got chased, not because they wanted to, they're interested in forming a coalition. And oh, for those doubting Skorro was bigger than NK, the article ( by a different Londolozi person ) said both were equal in size when they reunited. The other guide said Skorro was bigger, so at the very least he's not smaller than NK and is indeed a big guy. Anyway it's obvious that their bond is still weak, they need at the very least 6 months together, bonding, to start to be able to think about territory, and as of right now they are no match to Ndhzengas and PCM, though it's interesting they decided to roar again just after seemingly being chased around by PCM and Ndhzengas. They'd probably not even be able to match the BDM, though luckily for them tthe BDM seemingly vanished, Mala Mala didn't mention them, nor did Londolozi and Elephant Plains also had no sightings of them last week. They were last seen in Singita, so maybe they moved there? Updates from Singita are rare so that'd explain why we're not seeing them. And speaking of the established duos, I wonder if the scuffle marks belong to them. Previously in the virtual safari the guide said he thought PCM were chasing Ndhzengas ( tho not confirmed ), now they got in a roaring match and seemingly had contact. I always thought it'd be better for the Ndhzengas to move their territory a bit further east and south ( their territory is huge already ) to not risk bumping into PCM or Kambulas, but they seem unwilling to give a single inch of land despite losing 2 brothers. They're looking very confident, even when alone neither hesitated in chasing the Skorro male, they always dominated the BDM with ease too according to Mala Mala, and now are at least replying to PCM roars, but IMO, with only 2 remaining brothers and in that territory surrounded by everybody else and bordering the Kruger, they should be a bit more cautious, much is at stake here, 13-14 cubs without adding the new litters from the 2 elder Kambulas. The same goes for the PCM, if Ndhzenga catch one of them, it can be the doom of the western prides now that we finally got stability.
Reason why the PCM are in the north: they have been chasing the Kambula males:
"Kambulas having a rough day, got pushed from west to east by plains camp males and plains camp male roaring this evening" I honestly don't know if this is good or bad, it's good because it shows the PCM's strength to the Kambulas, to hopefully send a message while they still can, but it also is very risky for them going to the territory of 4 males to give chase.  (01-11-2024, 03:07 AM)Mapokser Wrote: Reason why the PCM are in the north: they have been chasing the Kambula males: I feel like it’s the right move tbh, with BDMs being seen in Singita quite a few times recently and now Kambulas seemingly close enough to the point the PCMs picked upon them, a response was warranted. Although they’re not thinking this way, but if they could force Kambula males back towards Arathusa/ChitwaChitwa/Nkorho and same with BDMs, they’re eventually going to have to fight it out. Would be much safer for the PCMs if that were to happen because then atleast the winning coalition would focus on Northern Sabi Sands. I think the Kambula male’s force has been a lil overestimated too, I certainly don’t think they’re as unstoppable as ppl seem to believe, as PCMs have just shown. They’re still not fully committed to being dominant males as a coalition. As long as PCMs stay together they should be fine.
It seems BDM are completely done for, I don't think we can consider them dominant anymore, the north now belongs to Kambulas so they've definitely shown to be territorial as a whole by now, remember that BDM started to avoid Kambulas after the 4 males chased them south.
PCM are just built different. But this is very early into the Kambulas reign, we're at the transition of power phase, give it a few more months at the very least and no duo will be able to chase them. Luckily it will probably take a while for the Kambulas to establish themselves in the north, in the mean time they won't invade anyone. But after a year or 2 they'll probably expand, hopefully to the further north, as the PCM cubs needs 3 more years.  (01-11-2024, 05:29 AM)KM600 Wrote: I think the Kambula male’s force has been a lil overestimated too, I certainly don’t think they’re as unstoppable as ppl seem to believe, as PCMs have just shown. They’re still not fully committed to being dominant males as a coalition. As long as PCMs stay together they should be fine.100% agree. Its good for PCM to make a showdown to settle limits in their territory, especially when u have in mind that Kambulas will be turning 6 years old in some months. So it's safe to say that, even though they are not that confident for now, in a few months the PCM nor any other coalition will be able to pursue them. Four territorial male lions in their prime will definitly be something else compared to the pairs of brothers spread across the Sabi Sand.  (01-11-2024, 06:40 AM)Ngonya Wrote:(01-11-2024, 05:29 AM)KM600 Wrote: I think the Kambula male’s force has been a lil overestimated too, I certainly don’t think they’re as unstoppable as ppl seem to believe, as PCMs have just shown. They’re still not fully committed to being dominant males as a coalition. As long as PCMs stay together they should be fine.100% agree. Right. However, Kambulas' confidence could increase at any moment just like Nkulus.
Kambulas are not yet fully territorial males in the north, they are in the process to be so.
Some members still lack confidence i think. Encounters like this are normal when new coalition starts to establish themselves in the neighbourhood. PC males just checking and sending message to their potential new eastern neighbours. (01-11-2024, 09:33 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote:(01-11-2024, 08:37 PM)KM600 Wrote: Ndhzengas at EP Ndhzengas slowly becoming a favourite coalition of mine for the sole purpose of rarely backing down, especially with 2 members left.
It seems it was the right move for the PCM to go get the Kambulas after all, Singita December Report:
The Mhangene Pride has been staying mostly in our central and western parts as they do their best to keep their cubs safe from the Ntsevu young male lions who do much of their hunting in the south and east. There have been a few sightings where not all ten cubs have been present but, as we have learnt from previous months, this is no cause for alarm as the missing cubs tend to be hidden away safely. Regarding the formidable Ntsevu lions it appears that there are just three males now and one female. A lot of the movements are centred around the buffalo herds that have dispersed in Dudley and our southern parts. It’s been the second month running where the Tsalala lioness has made our highlights. This lone lioness has found refuge, like many others in her situation, along the banks of the Sand River to the east of the lodges. This female is in immaculate condition and just a few months away from growing her pride if the mating was successful. https://singita.com/2023/12/singita-sabi...mber-2023/  (10-27-2022, 06:24 AM)DARK MANE Wrote:(10-27-2022, 04:39 AM)Cunaguaro Wrote: A crazy sighting at @nkorhobushlodge of the young Talamati male leads the operation to overthrow a huge buffalo with the rest of his pride by @mattywarephotography2020We're they successful? (01-11-2024, 11:53 PM)Mapokser Wrote: It seems it was the right move for the PCM to go get the Kambulas after all, Singita December Report: But the report makes a mistake about them being down to 3. they just need to realize the one boy just often likes to stay alone. . |
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