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Lions of Timbavati
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Umlani
The lions were not as regular as they have been the last few weeks, but on one after noon we found the River pride lionesses and the three Nharu males all together out on the hunt, so get lions active in amazing afternoon light doesn't happen to often so this was a real treat. The lions made an attempt at catching a zebra however the hunt was a failure and the zebra escaped...this time, and we got magnificent photo opportunities while the pride watched their potential prey.  *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  *This image is copyright of its original author
Birmingham young male on Wildearth Safari :
 *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Tanda Tula update
The question on everyone’s minds this week has no doubt been a concern regarding the fate of the two missing River Pride cubs. The day after writing last week’s blog, I did come across tracks for the two cubs walking around unattended, and my spirits lifted slightly in the vague hope that they could still be alive. The next day I received a report that one of the guides had found the two of them walking around near a regular River Pride haunt, and for the next three days the cubs stayed in the area of Nyati Pools, but on each of those days, there were no signs of the pride anywhere near that area. Almost a week after finding out that the two cubs were missing, we picked up on tracks for the pride, including some cubs moving to the east. We followed up and upon emerging from the Machaton Riverbed, were greeted by the welcome sight of two Nharhu males. Some nearby growling led me to believe that there was a mating pair of lions not far off, but as we made our way towards the sounds, I was rewarded with a much sweeter sight. Not only were the River Pride lionesses there with the cubs, but unlike last time, there were not only four cubs in attendance, but miraculously all six cubs were back together, and all of them were looking in great shape. Needless to say, there were big smiles from all of us! The pride had clearly fed well the night before, and it was a fantastic moment to see all thirteen members of the pride together at once. It might sound odd to say that bearing in mind that they are a pride, but this was the first time I had seen all of the pride members together since the cubs have been born. This union lasted a couple of days and we caught up with the rest of the pride the next morning with all members enjoying some family time together.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author Another report this week was that of a possible sighting of the Zebenine lionesses seen walking along our western boundary. As we haven’t seen them for many months, and have no idea where they have been hanging out, it is entirely possible that they may have pitched up in this location. Unfortunately, this story did not have the joyous news we would have liked. It sounded like the young lioness had been involved in a fight, and with fresh wounds all over her body, she was not looking in good shape. Time will tell if this was indeed them, and whether or not the young lioness will make a recovery. As always, we will keep you updated with any further news. 
A beautiful boy from the Nharhu coalition
Credit: Chad Cocking  *This image is copyright of its original author
Saw Mapoza and 2 Xikukutsu males far to the west. Seems like Xikukutsus is settling around Thornybush. Mapoza went to fetch them for a walk about and was far east the following day. Also saw 2 cheetah on the way back from town.
Yes, they were together. I think in a way they split up due to Avoca and Monwana prides. Xikukutsu male mated with one Monwana lioness and she has cubs somewhere to the west. I did not look at the wound close up. He was licking it but overall in good condition. It looked more like a type of boil that burst open. Saw it some lion before but not sure what it is called or what causes it.  *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
There is some speculation that the absence of a few adult female @blackdampride #lions is due to them having cubs hidden just on the outside of our reserve in a neighboring property. Time will soon tell if we start seeing the #lioness bringing their #cubs back to the core parts of their territory. Start planning your stay now at @royalmalewane to see the possible new cubs joining the large #lion pride on your own #wildlife photographic #safari
@sigmaphoto_sa #sigmaphoto_sa  *This image is copyright of its original author
Vuyela males at Kambaku
The five boys where back again last night making everyone aware as they roared right through the night and camp. Caught up with them early this morning with the only window of sun as the cold front moved in swiftly !!  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
(06-16-2020, 08:35 PM)Potato Wrote: Vuyela males at Kambaku I think these 5 boys are starting to come to an age where they will try some takeovers, with their numbers, nobody is safe in Timbavati..  (06-16-2020, 09:30 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote:Who is the closest to them at the moment?(06-16-2020, 08:35 PM)Potato Wrote: Vuyela males at Kambaku (06-16-2020, 10:00 PM)Matimbalani Wrote:(06-16-2020, 09:30 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote:Who is the closest to them at the moment?(06-16-2020, 08:35 PM)Potato Wrote: Vuyela males at Kambaku 2 Monwana males just recently started to takeover that arena after they chassed off Black Dam male. 3 Nharhus, Mapoza and Xikukutsus are also quite close.
Monwana males at Kambaku
Found these two boys late yesterday afternoon, unbeknownst to me they had been sleeping in camp the whole day. You can hear my kids playing at home. Goes to show you never know who is around the next bush !!
Birmingham young male is looking quite good. The muscle on his injured leg has grown back. He is still limping, but not as bad as yet couple of weeks ago. He is puting some weight on his injured lag.
(06-20-2020, 11:41 AM)Potato Wrote: Birmingham young male is looking quite good. The muscle on his injured leg has grown back. He is still limping, but not as bad as yet couple of weeks ago. He is puting some weight on his injured lag. It certaintly helps that Ross males are allowing him to stay with the pride, which is quite strange due to the fact that they where quite agressive and contantly chasing/fighting him before injury, which most likely they did to him, but after injury they are quite tolerate of him.. (06-20-2020, 01:41 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote:(06-20-2020, 11:41 AM)Potato Wrote: Birmingham young male is looking quite good. The muscle on his injured leg has grown back. He is still limping, but not as bad as yet couple of weeks ago. He is puting some weight on his injured lag. It remainds me of recent situation in Koppies pride which also had young male within a pride untill recently. There were report saying that Orpen males show a lot of agression towards young male, then after some short time there were reports that they seem to tolerating young male and then after some short time he dissapeared. Of course it is really unknown what happened to him, but I wouldn't be suprissed at all if Orpen males finnaly killed him or at least chassed away. I believe situation within Birmingham pride won't be any different and it is only matter of short time when Ross males start to again show agression towards young Birmingham male. Each day he stay with his pride is playing with fire, but of course question stands if he would be able to survive now without a pride. It is real petty that he did not leave after first signs of Ross males aggression. (06-20-2020, 03:08 PM)Potato Wrote: It remainds me of recent situation in Koppies pride which also had young male within a pride untill recently. There were report saying that Orpen males show a lot of agression towards young male, then after some short time there were reports that they seem to tolerating young male and then after some short time he dissapeared. Of course it is really unknown what happened to him, but I wouldn't be suprissed at all if Orpen males finnaly killed him or at least chassed away. I believe situation within Birmingham pride won't be any different and it is only matter of short time when Ross males start to again show agression towards young Birmingham male. Each day he stay with his pride is playing with fire, but of course question stands if he would be able to survive now without a pride. It is real petty that he did not leave after first signs of Ross males aggression. We'll see, i think they are now tolerating him because he is now very submissive since he got that injury, so Ross males doesn't feel that he is a threat, lions can feel this things.. Young male doesnt have other choice, with that injury he cant survive on his own, so hes best shot is to stay with the pride and hope that Ross males dont kill him.. |
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