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Lions of Timbavati
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The Injured of the Nharhu coalition quenching his thirst at a small natural pan moments after the break of dawn
March 2020 Rockfig Safari Lodge Photo Credit: Christof Schoeman Source: https://www.facebook.com/Lions-Of-Timbavati-113838043410868/?__tn__=  *This image is copyright of its original author
Tanda Tula update
It was a week that belonged to the lions of the central Timbavati, and even those from further afield. To begin with, last week’s blog had no sooner been published when we were notified that tracks for the Mayambula Pride had once more crossed into our concession and were heading to the north. Ginger got to the area before me, and being Ginger, along with his trusty aide, Given, it didn’t take them long to find all sixteen members of the pride lounging about on the edge of a mopane thicket in the south-central region.  *This image is copyright of its original author I arrived a little while later and spent the rest of the morning watching as this impressive pride decided to be uncharacteristically active. They all awoke, and one-by-one, walked right past our vehicle. It was fascinating to watch the order of movement; the four mothers moved off first, followed by the three sub-adult females. Slowly, the seven young males followed suit, and eventually, the two Mbiri males thought it was best if they too kept up, just in case there was a meal on offer. These two boys are looking in incredible shape and my mind still boggles as to how the much smaller Nharhu males were able to take control of such a big portion of the Mbiri male’s territory. Mayambula young male:  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Although the pride eventually settled, by late afternoon there was no trace of them. Fortunately, they hung around for the night and all but three of the mothers were found the next morning with the Mbiri males looking like their persistence paid off (they were the only ones with bulging bellies). At some point in the day the lionesses must have returned, because by the afternoon the pride had once again disappeared into a massive block of land and that was that!  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author It was still such a treat to be able to catch up with this pride once more, it has been almost five months since I last saw them! Just how long it takes before their next visit is now up for debate, especially as we had a very unexpected, and potentially disturbing visit from a coalition of male lions from the southern Timbavati; the Mapoza male and the two Xikukutsu males…right in between the territories of the Mbiri and Nharhu males. From all accounts, this also wasn’t just a wander up north, as the three newcomers didn’t hold back on their roaring from right within the bounds of the Nahru males’ range. It seems as though no conflict unfolded during the night, and the next morning, the Mapoza male and his partners were found on a giraffe kill just off our access road; all the while, the Nharhu males roared from further north, close to the site of the River Pride lionesses and their cubs. This pride was less evident than the past week, but still seen regularly. However, conditions made tracking them near their den sites a dangerous task, and as a result, we typically only found them if they were close to the road. To add to the lion sightings of the past week, the Black Dam male was also found on most days, and once in the company of a Ross lioness as he managed to hold onto his territory in the west, despite pressure now coming from all sides.  (03-20-2020, 10:23 PM)Potato Wrote: Tanda Tula update Mbiris look badass, especially Shaka. As for rangers question on how did Nharhu males able to take territory from much larger Mbiris, well its called numbers game. Mbiris are now in their prime around 7, Nharhus are still young, prob around 5, but have the numbers.
"Mbiris look badass, especially Shaka."
That is a mighty duo. They not only look badass, but in fact are males very few could match with equal numbers. "As for rangers question on how did Nharhu males able to take territory from much larger Mbiris, well its called numbers game." It came down to Nharhus manage to find Shaka alone and take him out the game for the time Nharhus secure River pride. Numbers advantage only makes Nharhu's chances against Mbiris more or less even. (03-20-2020, 11:10 PM)Potato Wrote: It came down to Nharhus manage to find Shaka alone and take him out the game for the time Nharhus secure River pride. Numbers advantage only makes Nharhu's chances against Mbiris more or less even Was this ever reported?? He was seen injured but is it confirmed that it came from Nharhu males? Nharhus advantage comes from numbers of roars, i dont think 2 lions would engage if they hear that they are outnumbered, but yes in a fight they might actually beat them as 1 Nharhu male is injured and they are stronger pound for pound.
"Was this ever reported?? He was seen injured but is it confirmed that it came from Nharhu males?"
I am not actually sure it was officialy stated, I think it was althrought I do not remember for sure nor have will to check that. Nharhus however are the only possiblity as they were the only coalition which compentated with Mbiris for River pride. "Nharhus advantage comes from numbers of roars, i dont think 2 lions would engage if they hear that they are outnumbered" There are plenty examples of one coalition chassing more numberus one, recently for example I posted here raport of 4 Matimbas vs 3 Majings when they were chassing each others. "but yes in a fight they might actually beat them as 1 Nharhu male is injured and they are stronger pound for pound" Injured Nharhu is said to be recovering really well, possibly already fully recovered. 
The Mbiri Boys are doing well and are one of the most successful coalitions in the Timbavati who are currently help raising a future dangerous coalition of seven young males
 *This image is copyright of its original author
Ross males showing young Birmingham male that it is time to leave the pride
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9_Vyudp-Gs/?igshid=r06257nec3oe&fbclid=IwAR1tyFMAh70FYb_tv9sNOlxVK47OPdkKs0Lf9jY5G9CKCh_pCi1tSfNUSXI (03-21-2020, 07:54 PM)Potato Wrote: Ross males showing young Birmingham male that it is time to leave the pride Lionesses stood up for the young male. It will be taugh for the young male as he is alone, hope he can find Koppies young male. Do you know if this Birmingham young male is 1 of the 2 that was seen with Red Road male and Koppies young male around year ago? Or is this another brother of those 2? I asked that question in Manyeleti thread but nobody seems to know. (03-21-2020, 08:22 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote:(03-21-2020, 07:54 PM)Potato Wrote: Ross males showing young Birmingham male that it is time to leave the pride I think are the same,Though the Nharu pride is a breakaway of the Birmingham Pride and maybe they been called as Birmingham young males (03-21-2020, 08:22 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote:(03-21-2020, 07:54 PM)Potato Wrote: Ross males showing young Birmingham male that it is time to leave the pride I have no idea. |
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