Lions of Timbavati

[Fenix123]

Prides and dominant Males of Timbavati (posted on march 3th)

Credits to Michelle Stemm 

*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

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Hi everyone,

I have been working this past week on compiling three lists of lions within certain areas. The Timbavati; the Manyeleti; and Thornybush/Sandringham. 

The list for the Lions of Timbavati is complete, but as dynamics are ever-changing, this list though complete, is a work-in-progress (please see the list below).

My list for the Manyeleti needs some work, however,  I’m concentrating on the list for Thornybush/Sandringham right now. 

Compiling these lists is an enormous and exceptionally complex task. They have required the knowledge of several lion experts and guides. Bearing that in mind, please be patient with me while I continue working on the other two lists; these will likely take a week or two. 

Please note: at a later stage, I will include a “special feature” for want of a better term of each pride included with photos & a breakdown of history - don’t expect these anytime soon, but it is something I will endeavour to provide after the lists are complete. 

Anyway, here is the first list for the Timbavati. ?

***Lions of Timbavati ***

With many thanks to: Ahmed Al Odaini, Aruna Pavithran, Reinon Macedo, Frankie Kenneth, Lynette Prent, Lucas Dantas & Burak Simsek for helping me. I’m very grateful for their guidance & sharing their expert knowledge. 

Prides of Timbavati:

Western pride:
3 Females, 1 was sired by Skorro males (sister to eldest of young males)
2 young males, youngest sired by Nharhu male, Skorokoro; & oldest sired by Skorro males. 
Dominant males: Ncila males (Klasserie River Males)

Sark breakaway pride:
4 adult lionesses
5 sub-adults  sired by Vuyela males, born around December 2021 or January 2022
4 cubs sired by Vuyela males, born in May/June 2023
3 cubs sired by Vuyela males, born in March 2024
Dominant males: 5 Vuyela males

River pride:
3 adult females
3 sub-adults sired by Vuyela males, born in June 2023
4 cubs sired by Vuyela males, born in mid 2024
Dominant males: 5 Vuyela males

Myambula pride:
2 adult females, sired by Ximpoko and Mabande.
4 younger Females sired by Mbiri males, born January-April 2019
11 cubs sired by Skorro males born July-September 2022 (cubs from younger females) and January-February 2022 (cubs from older females)
Dominant males: 5 Vuyela males

Giraffe pride:
4 adult females, (2 eldest females sired by Mapoza males).
2 younger adult females sired by Black Dam male around early-mid 2018
16 cubs sired by Sumatra and Hercules, born in aproximately July-September 2022
2 cubs sired by Sumatra and Hercules, born in aproximately August 2023
Dominant males: Birmingham Breakaway males

Birmingham breakaway pride:
9 adult females 
1 subadult male
4 cubs sired by Ross males
Dominant males: Lillydale male - Young Birmingham male (Nephew) 

Birmingham pride (Superpride seen on Ngala):
7 adult females 
11 subadults sired by Mbiri males, born between December 2022 August 2023
6 cubs sired by Mbiri males
- 17 cubs/subs in total
Dominant males: 2 Mbiri males (Shaka & Zig Zag)

Mabotlel Pride (2nd Birmingham breakaway Pride)
2 x Birmingham Females
    - 1 is sister of white lioness b. 2019
    - 1 is half sister/cousin to female mentioned above, b. 2020 and sister to Lillydale male (daughter of collared Birmingham female).
1 cub sired by Mbiri males born in middle 2023
Dominant males: 2 Mbiri males (Shaka & Zig Zag)

Jacaranda Pride (seen at Ntsiri)
5 Females:
- 2 senior born 2010/11;
- 1 born approx 2017
- 2 born roughly 2019 sired by old River pride males.
Males: - 2 born roughly 2019 sired by old River pride males. 2 born 2022 sired by 2 Klaserie River pride males born 2015.
- several new cubs
Dominant males: 2 Klasserie River Pride males
b. 2015 (sons of the Old River Pride).

*Note: The two mothers of these two Klaserie River males born 2015 (originally 5 yms), are the females that became the Timbavati River pride. Possibly only one of these original females is still alive. 

Timbavati pride:  (breakaway from the Jacaranda pride from approx 20 years ago)! 
2 older lionesses.
- 2 Tawny cubs;
- 1 White cub (female) approx 3 months old
Dominant males: Xakubasa b. 2018 (Ross male legacy) - Nsala Lodge in NE Ingwelala. 

Mawondane Pride:
1 Female
2 young males 

Male lions and coalitions of Timbavati:

- Vuyela males, coalition of 5 males, originated from Sark Pride (previously known as Bateleur Pride) b. mid to late 2016. 
- Ross male, 1 male surviving, born in Ross pride in December 2010, sired by the old Ross males. 
- Mbiri males, coalition of 2 males, born in Mbiri pride in late 2013, sired by Matimba males.
- Birmingham breakaway males, coalition of 5 males remaining, born in Birmingham breakaway pride in ? (somewhen in 2018 I think),  sired by either Ross males or Avoca/Giraffe males (or by both in part).
- Birmingham males, coalition of 2 males remaining, born in Birmingham pride in late 2018, sired by Ross males. 
 - Makeppies male (previously Monwana/Giraffe male), sired by the Black Dam Male, the original solo Black Dam Male ( son of Bubezi). His brother is deceased.  The 6 Black Dam Males we see today are his nephews, sons of his sisters.
- Lone Avoca male, born in Avoca pride, sired by Mapoza male, born in early 2019.
- 4 Ncila - Klasserie River males
- Lillydale male (Nephew), b. 2020 & brother to younger Mabotlel female. 
- 2 Xakubasa (Birmingham Breakaway young males) - sired by Ross males 2018 as 1/3 males. One brother missing for over a year. Reply