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Lions of Timbavati
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From NThambo Tree Camp:
"We uncovered a new pride of lions which were seen on more than one occasion. Then of course, we had Duma from the Balule colluding with the lone ranger Mabande male lion. This is Duma, the mighty giant of lion with the exceptional mane."  *This image is copyright of its original author
MALE LION GREETING CEREMONY:
I still remember the arrival of two lions, we later called Big Boy and Mazinyo, about 13 years ago as if yesterday. They were originally known as the Klaserie males and were about 5 years old. Mazinyo eventually died of malnutrition after suffering a broken jaw from either a giraffe or zebra kick. Their reign of 9 years finally ended with the demise of Big Boy shortly thereafter. Most of their male offspring went east to Klaserie never to be seen again in this part of the world. Big Boy had a very short temper and competition was not tolerated meaning that young males were chased away as soon as they were deemed a threat. The last group of sons numbering five did not scare of the old male, but interestingly allowed him to stay without killing or chasing him off. One young male got hit by a car on our boundary fence and 2 others crossed the river going north. The Mohlabetsi male and his brother Kudyela/Duma went east and returned after an absence of 3 -4 months. The journey caused a rift in their friendship and they never joined forces again with the Mohlabetsi male taking over the Mohlabetsi pride and Kudyela/Duma joining his natal pride. The Mohlabetsi male is different to any male I have ever known. He allowed a skittish and very nervous young male (Blondie) of about 2 years old to stay while settling with the Mohlabetsi pride. He then went went one step further and never chased his 6 young sons away as would normally be done. The eventual outcome of this behavior is a very strong coalition of eight males. They are already expanding their territory and the first casualty was Kudyela who disappeared only to rise like Lazarus from the dead by re-appearing in Klaserie. The Singwe males were next to feel the heat as one disappeared with a very thin and malnourished male surviving. The young River pride males and Impalabos male are also under pressure and only time will tell how this will play out. We are in the meantime treated to great sightings of the Mohlabetsi male lion coalition as they continue to dominate the western and central parts of Balule Nature reserve. Robbie Prehn
Credits to Ezulwini Game Lodges.
The older Mohlabetsi male. King Mohlabetsi spotted weaving in and out of the bush of the Balule recently as we followed him on the scent of something interesting. This guy embodies the looks of a warlord, and his clear domination make him a true leader in the lion world.  *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
Credits to NThambo Tree Camp.
A while ago we shared our news about Duma crossing over from the Balule Nature Reserve and into the Klaserie. Duma was a king within the southern part of Balule and was easily recognisable because of his thick, golden mane. He is an all powerful leader and seemed to have teamed for a bit up with a lone male that we speculate is Mabande. This is the first video of its kind. Here is Duma, patrolling, marking his kingdom and swaggering through the Klaserie - like a boss! Click on it to play. Duma's blonde mane has to be his most recognisable feature, and despite his dominant appearance, he has made an exit from his previous territory in the Balule Nature Reserve because of the domineering presence of another coalition. It will be interesting to see how he takes to the lions surrounding this area...  *This image is copyright of its original author Almond shaped eyes and a minimally scarred face also make Duma easily identifiable. He is the largest-maned male we've seen in the area since the Trilogy males were around.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Duma setting off into the bush, softly contact calling as he moved. Perhaps he was calling Mabande, who he was seen with fairly recently... Perhaps not. We can only speculate.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Sorry about the fence. This is a photo this morning of the young Giraffe pride male in Timbavati flirting with some lionesses of Thorny Bush Game Reserve. He turned out to be a big male and he is only 6 and a half years old.
Credits to Ziggi Hugo  *This image is copyright of its original author Mazopa male  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
From Klaserie Drift
Our two resident tough guys! Shantima "the black one" lying up front and his brother Hondo "Warlord"  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Duma looks more like a lover and less like a fighter.
He shows the scars of a recent beating on his spine. I suspect his good looks might change shortly. Being a lone stranger in a new town is a dangerous thing. 
Credits to Keith Rawlins one of the 2 males in the Klasirie
 *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits to Ziggi Hugo.
Ross males.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Video by Greg McCall - Peat
feb, 2017 The Hercules pride of lions vs large pack of hyenas although there was 5 lions the sheer numbers of hyena eventually forced the lions to abandon their buffalo kill , an incredible scene to witness
Without a male lion around females are very vulnerable to heyenas in large numbers -
I wonder if there was a male with that pride - the carcass seems fairly stripped already - maybe the male(s) have had their fill  (02-03-2017, 04:54 PM)Sideliner Wrote: Without a male lion around females are very vulnerable to heyenas in large numbers - Agree ! If these females had been with an adult male, the hyenas would never dare to assault them. Main tasks of the male lions : after the territory defense, the preys defense. As concerns this last one, without them it isn't more at all the same outcome.
Duma, meaning 'thunder', looks every inch a king with his famous mane in pristine condition.
Credits: NThambo Tree Camp  *This image is copyright of its original author
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