There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
(09-20-2024, 01:41 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: Normally These groups would stand no chance.
But if we look at the prides in Sabi Sands right now, there are some that are very poorly defended.
They should have no issue taking over groups like the Othawas, Ridgenoses group or Tsalala. Perhaps even Nkuhumas or Mangheni, depending on what the PCmales decide to do.
RN group? These coalitions could takeover their former territory but taking over that ‘group’ now, and that’s assuming u mean how, is out of the question. No coalition gains anything from chasing the subadult male away and being left with a female who’s still months away from being able to conceive.
This has unironically led me to a thought about that same female too, assuming PCMs keep hold of their territory up until the NK breakaway female can start establishing her own territory, I wonder how PCMs treat her. She’d be an immediate threat to any of their cubs born in other prides and wouldn’t be seen as a mating opportunity either. If we look at how big their territory is right now, they’d have a hard time sending her far out of the West.
Food and grooming mostly. She is already capable of hunting.
For some of the weaker males she would be a very welcome lifeline.
(09-20-2024, 01:21 AM)Mapokser Wrote: Then there's the BDM, in his prime but either sick or permanently injured, his limp makes it unlikely for him to become a territorial male.
I feel like the BDM's best chance is to join the Nkuhuma/Talamati coalition. He's the same age as them, and being in a coalition with two males capable of regularly bringing down buffalo might be just what he needs to bounce back to more-or-less his former condition. But otherwise he has no chance.
09-20-2024, 05:52 PM( This post was last modified: 09-20-2024, 05:53 PM by NLAL11 )
(09-20-2024, 02:45 AM)KM600 Wrote:
(09-20-2024, 01:41 AM)Duco Ndona Wrote: Normally These groups would stand no chance.
But if we look at the prides in Sabi Sands right now, there are some that are very poorly defended.
They should have no issue taking over groups like the Othawas, Ridgenoses group or Tsalala. Perhaps even Nkuhumas or Mangheni, depending on what the PCmales decide to do.
RN group? These coalitions could takeover their former territory but taking over that ‘group’ now, and that’s assuming u mean how, is out of the question. No coalition gains anything from chasing the subadult male away and being left with a female who’s still months away from being able to conceive.
This has unironically led me to a thought about that same female too, assuming PCMs keep hold of their territory up until the NK breakaway female can start establishing her own territory, I wonder how PCMs treat her. She’d be an immediate threat to any of their cubs born in other prides and wouldn’t be seen as a mating opportunity either. If we look at how big their territory is right now, they’d have a hard time sending her far out of the West.
I agree with the first statement 100%. New males would be more likely to kill them both.
As for the Nkuhuma breakaway girl, her fathers probably wouldn't have any issues mating with her, males tend to not care so much about mating with family members. A lioness in oestrus is a lioness in oestrus. But she might not be so receptive, meaning when that time came she'd be more likely to leave the area. Provided the PC males are still dominant when that time comes.
Not long ago the Ximungwe cubs had taken down some big game, a nyala or something, I don't remember.
Now they killed an impala.
This is crazy to think about because they are barely 1 year and 1 month old, and in no rush to properly learn these things as they have 2 adults to take care of them. Not even their aunts from the Othawa pride were hunting so well at over 1,5yo and struggled a lot without their mother, scavenging for months until they learned how to hunt properly.
But these Ximhungwe cubs might be independent already, they were alone killing impala until their fathers showed up and stole the kill from them.
I can't even imagine the Mangheni cubs hunting by themselves, never mind the runt that is the youngest one, despite being a month older than his Ximhungwe half-sisters.
They are a small pride. So the adults were likely forced to bring them with them on hunting trips, rather than leaving the young with a couple of babysitters. So the more chances to observe and try to join the hunt to gain experience.
Actually having adults to fall back on, the young are also much more free to experiment and take risks. While the Othawas subs were forced to be much more careful in their actions.
If we are looking at a bigger pride, like the Mangheni. There is also a risk of the freeloader effect. Where some cubs don't put much effort in gaining skills and rather just join the feeding afterwards.
(09-20-2024, 09:43 PM)Mapokser Wrote: Not long ago the Ximungwe cubs had taken down some big game, a nyala or something, I don't remember.
Now they killed an impala.
This is crazy to think about because they are barely 1 year and 1 month old, and in no rush to properly learn these things as they have 2 adults to take care of them. Not even their aunts from the Othawa pride were hunting so well at over 1,5yo and struggled a lot without their mother, scavenging for months until they learned how to hunt properly.
But these Ximhungwe cubs might be independent already, they were alone killing impala until their fathers showed up and stole the kill from them.
I think its quite certain from observation, that fewer the subs in pride, and smaller the pride, subs are developing skills for survival sooner than subs with many siblings and in big prides.
Reason, they need to do it sooner if they want to thrive and survive, as they cant get "carried" by large group.
But that doesnt mean that subs in large groups are far behind, recently we saw Kambula subs actively participating in hunting buffalo, so as part of large group, they mostly hunt big game, something which subs in small group (like Ximhungwes) are not doing, and vice versa.
So yea, both groups are gaining experience in different hunting field.
(09-16-2024, 01:00 AM)Cath2020 Wrote: Kind of bittersweet, another 'Solo' born into the Tsalala Pride! Shades of bygone days. His destiny will be much harder as he is not only a solo boy, but born to a lone lioness. Will be interesting to watch his story unfold in the coming months and years, if he survives that long.
Was BiBi Tsalala's first successful litter Tailed, Tailless, and Solo? If this litter of 2+1 is half as legendary, they'll do just fine!
Yes, as was answered, Solo was from the second litter from the same males, the Split Rock Males. Unfortunately, as many litters born to aging males are, he got a bit unlucky compared to his sisters. Through his older, full sisters, and his mother, Bibi, his blood runs in the veins of the Mangheni, Tsalala, and Kambula Prides. His female relatives went on to have cubs with the Mapogos. Wished there was more effort to follow him when he decided to vanish into Kruger after many years of losing partner after partner in Sabi Sands as it was so competitive. At least now, there are many more lone males to bump into and bond with.
09-23-2024, 11:00 PM( This post was last modified: 09-23-2024, 11:02 PM by MrLoesoe )
(09-23-2024, 10:28 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote: Torchwood young males found and attacked Imbali lionesses:
*This image is copyright of its original author
Are these the same young males that had an altercation with the Kambula males in August? Around Northern Sabi Sands / Southern Manyeleti border I believe. I guess so, right? Still roaming around that area apparently.