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.
04-23-2021, 06:09 PM( This post was last modified: 04-23-2021, 06:11 PM by Timbavati )
MONWANA CUBS•
This is one of the five newest cubs of the Monwana pride mothered by the one of the lionesses known as Sendzeleki (which means wanderer in Shangaan) There are 5 of them and they are about 4 weeks old, the sister of the Monwana males also has two cubs of about 3/4 months old
Photo credits goes to: Matthew Holland
04-23-2021, 09:27 PM( This post was last modified: 04-23-2021, 09:36 PM by Timbavati )
Tanda Tula update
I was only on drive for a few of the days this week, but it was a week filled with the big cats in the eastern parts of Tanda Tula’s concession, with the River Pride being the main attraction throughout the week. As mentioned, they moved north along the Machaton Riverbed over the past few weeks and seem to have settled very nicely into the area with the three little cubs doing very well. They seem to be having far greater hunting success in the area, and this is not surprising as having been based further south for the past three months left very few general game species in that area. So, the move to old hunting grounds around the biggest body of water in the east (Machaton Dam) was almost necessary, and it paid off handsomely. The pride had finished a wildebeest the day before I got back, and then two days later they were found fat-bellied at Machaton Dam, having eaten during the night once more. To end things off, when we followed up the next morning, the pride was located with a massive male kudu kill just east of camp that kept them feeding for another day and a half before they returned once again to Machaton Dam.
Even when the whole pride wasn’t at the dam, the oldest lioness was found on most days mating with the two Nharhu males – first it was the cut-nosed male, but she didn’t look overly interested in him, but once the limping male took over, their mating activity intensified greatly. There has been no further word on the sickly Nharhu male, but one morning whilst sitting with the mating pair (while the limping Nharhu was at the kudu kill to the west), another male lion could be heard roaring in the east. The mating lions looked in that direction, but didn’t react at all, which made both Glen and I wonder if this roaring was possibly coming from the third male – the same male I had been telling my guests was likely dead! Time will tell if he returns, but I am still doubtful. With the River Pride being so much more central – and vocal – this week, our other prides that have been looking to establish themselves were far less in evidence. Although the Balule females had reunited with the Dundee male the week before, there was no sign of them this week. The Sark breakaway pride were seen further west within our concession, and members of the Giraffe Pride were reported on three occasions this week, the last time seemingly in the company of the Sumatra male lion following the unfortunate find of a dead male lion in the far west that is presumed to be the non-limping Monwana male. If this is the case, the injured Monwana male would be unlikely to keep these two larger, stronger males at bay and there might be yet another change of guardianship of the Giraffe Pride females.
So it looks like dead male lion is actually healthy Monwana male, such a tragedy.. He was most likely killed as he was in perfect condition..
Interesting as his death is around the same time as Sumatra and Hercules showed up in the area and now they hang with his pride , im not saying that they killed him, but its very likely..
As since many of your now have read the report from Tanda Tula about the dead male lion (possibly the non-limping Monwana male) It's time to share pics and information. The dead male was found on Schoongezicht farm in the early weeks of April. The Monwana males were not seen together for almost a month, so, it's time of assuming the death of the non-limping Monwana male
(04-24-2021, 02:50 AM)Timbavati Wrote: As since many of your now have read the report from Tanda Tula about the dead male lion (possibly the non-limping Monwana male) It's time to share pics and information. The dead male was found on Schoongezicht farm in the early weeks of April. The Monwana males were not seen together for almost a month, so, it's time of assuming the death of the non-limping Monwana male
I turned picture around to see whisker spots:
*This image is copyright of its original author
It looks its him, small dots in top whisker, just over his 3rd lower whisker from the right...
Really very sad despite being life in nature, your partner is now in a very bad position. At the very least it is a great coincidence that Hercules and Sumatra appear in the area shortly after he disappears, I agree with Tr1x24 there is a high probability of his disappearance having to do with it
It is a really sad update, I knew this a while time ago when I told it to James, But I waited for an official report, more information will be released
(04-24-2021, 02:50 AM)Timbavati Wrote: As since many of your now have read the report from Tanda Tula about the dead male lion (possibly the non-limping Monwana male) It's time to share pics and information. The dead male was found on Schoongezicht farm in the early weeks of April. The Monwana males were not seen together for almost a month, so, it's time of assuming the death of the non-limping Monwana male
I turned picture around to see whisker spots:
*This image is copyright of its original author
It looks its him, small dots in top whisker, just over his 3rd lower whisker from the right...
Such a tragedy..
Unfortunately, it's time to assuming that the non-limping Monwana male isn't anymore with us
Monwana males will be remembered as young warriors, they didnt waste much time in nomadic life, few scraps with Xikukutsus and Mapoza males in which they where outnumbered, moved north and immidiately without fear challenge their mighty father BDM as they only turned 4 yrs of age, which is not that often to see males, especially in low numbers to challenge for territory when they just turned 4, in that way they remainded people of 2 mighty Mbiris few years ago..
They succeeded and ousted their father, speculation that they might even finished him after he was gored by buffalo later that year..everything was great for them as both males where in great condition and confident, but in recent months theres was report of 1 Monwana limping and not in the best condition, which might alert trouble soon.
And it did as its prob not coincidence this death of healthy Monwana to showing up of Hercules/Sumatra in the area and hanging with their pride..
Monwana males were very promising duo. Sad if death of Monwana male will turn out to be true. Also respect for the Sumatra/Hercules for pulling out takeover on Monwanas. They prove to be stronger than expected. Also that puts in another light Mbiri males takeover of Skorro pride. Many considered Sumatra/Hercules as not too difficult opponents for that Mbiris, but their takeover of Giraffe pride shows they are strong duo, just Mbiris are remarkable and of yet another level duo.
(04-24-2021, 01:05 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote: as they only turned 4 yrs of age, which is not that often to see males, especially in low numbers to challenge for territory when they just turned 4, in that way they remainded people of 2 mighty Mbiris few years ago..
Actually it is common for male lion coalitions to challange for territory at the age of around 4 if they have numerical advantage of 2:1 or more. Beside Monwanas you could look at S Avocas chassiing Matshapiri or Ross facing Giraffe male and Mabande male. Birminghams were around 4 beside Nsuku when they challanged Matimbas. Majingilanes still had Mohawks manes around 1 year after takeover from Mlovathis so they also could be well before 4 years of age at takeovertime. Mbiris were just over 3 when they chassed Mapoza male through Kings Camp and so on...
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Our dominant male coalition - Socha and Hosi - were calling close to the lodge last night, providing the perfect backdrop to the post-storm stillness in the evening. Try as we might, they slipped into a large block this morning and managed to evade us - although the Pale male leopard put in a wonderful appearance instead
*This image is copyright of its original author
This pic was taken last week of Socha clearly on a mission to somewhere only he knows...such a magnificent boy
(04-24-2021, 06:54 PM)Potato Wrote: Our dominant male coalition - Socha and Hosi - were calling close to the lodge last night, providing the perfect backdrop to the post-storm stillness in the evening. Try as we might, they slipped into a large block this morning and managed to evade us - although the Pale male leopard put in a wonderful appearance instead
*This image is copyright of its original author
This pic was taken last week of Socha clearly on a mission to somewhere only he knows...such a magnificent boy
