|
Lions of Timbavati
|
Could be a mother, nose is fully black, bottom teeth are gone
 *This image is copyright of its original author
Klaserie Drift update
The River pride continue to thrill with regular appearances of the females and cubs as well as a sporadic sightings of Hosi and Socha this month. 3 of the 4 eldest juveniles - now coming up for around 22 months - have spent the majority of their time away from the main pride, with just a few females for company. It is thought the mothers are preparing these youngsters for their impending journey into adulthood. The males will be departing this year to become nomadic - the most dangerous time in a male lion’s life where they must both fend for themselves and avoid conflict with other lions - whereas the lone female will hopefully remain with her mother and aunties, becoming a vital part of the pride. On one particular morning, the pride were discovered just after sunrise and we spent an incredible couple of hours with them as they searched for unsuspecting prey. They passed through ridges and valleys as we diligently followed, eventually popping out at the KD bridge where the little ones had to learn quickly what it means to be a member of the “River pride” with a rather watery crossing! Soon after, an adult female made a tense attempt on a waterbuck, missing out at the last minute. Defeated and feeling the sun’s warmth rising, the pride crossed the river once more to take refuge in a grassy thicket. The next afternoon, however, their hungry bellies were finally satiated as a different young waterbuck was taken and quickly devoured, with our wide-eyed guests getting a front row seat to the feeding frenzy!  *This image is copyright of its original author
 (06-18-2021, 05:29 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote:(06-18-2021, 04:56 PM)lionuk Wrote: When the Avoca pride encroached deep into the Monwana pride's territory, a large female from the Avoca pride was isolated and brutally attacked by the four Monwana females. After dong a little research and yes, she was one of the mothers of the Avoca males.
Tanda Tula update
As for the lions, well they approached their movements like I approach a game of snooker, and it was a “calling all pockets” scenario where the pride wandered far and wide. After catching and consuming a wildebeest near Macro’s Dam, they moved towards Nkhari for a few days. They then pitched up in the far north-eastern corner, and it was such an unexpected distance to have moved that the guide that found them reported that it was an unknown pride (until they got up and moved, then she realised it was in fact the River Pride). A day later, Ginger and Jack were tracking a pride of lions in the south-western corner, and I was now the one thinking that they were tracking a “new” pride, but upon finding them, it was once again found to be the River Pride. Later in the week I was out getting photos for this Week in Pictures and managed to track the pride down but in a very uncooperative manner, they headed straight for the thickets on the banks of the Nhlaralumi. Luckily, we had a lovely sighting of them in the evening when they came out of hiding, but it was disconcerting to see that one of the youngest cubs had a bad limp on bot his back-right, and front left paws! This made him an easier target for his brothers that constantly bowled him over in their play – and could well be how he injured himself to begin with. Fortunately, the pride seems to be leaving the cubs behind when they go hunting, so this will give the little guy time to heal. An unknown male lion was also seen in close proximity to the River Pride when they pushed to the north-east, but I sadly wasn’t on drive to see him and ID him. And on another occasion, a distant visual of a lone lioness was had as she crossed the eastern boundary into Tanda Tula’s concession. Sadly she wasn’t located and as all the other River Pride members were in the west at that point, she must be from another pride…or possibly even the missing old female? Time will tell if we get more sightings of these new lions. The Sark breakaways were eventually reported again in the west, now with four lionesses and the young male, and the Giraffe Pride and Monwana male were also seen this week in the far west. So, it was far from a “bad” week of lion viewing, it was more the fact that the lions made us work hard for the sightings we did have.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
 (06-19-2021, 01:23 AM)Potato Wrote: Tanda Tula update I am assuming the limp has improved for the Monwana male. That would be good news. 
The Birmingham breakaway pride and one of the Ross males seen at Shindzela Tented Camp in the last couple of days
Images by: Ziggi Hugo,June 19,2021.  *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
The stunning Hercules male photographen in the early morning sun at Shindzela Tented Camp. Isn't he stunning
Image by: Ziggi Hugo, 19.06.21  *This image is copyright of its original author
One of the Ross males seen at Shindzela Tented Camp today
Photo credit: Z.Hugo  *This image is copyright of its original author
(06-19-2021, 01:44 AM)Matimbalani Wrote:He was seen on Thursday, sadly, his limp won't heal at the 100% never(06-19-2021, 01:23 AM)Potato Wrote: Tanda Tula update
The Skorro and old River Pride males had a scuffle last week in Ntsiri
The two Skorro males chased the old river pride males all the way into Ntsiri, and then the old River pride males turned around and chased the Skorro males back to Ingwelala There are reports of a male lion that was killed by hyenas two days later on Ndlophu Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/176930040383947 (06-20-2021, 03:43 AM)Timbavati Wrote: The Skorro and old River Pride males had a scuffle last week in Ntsiri I can not see course as it is in private group, but are you sure those were Skorro males? Most recent news says that 3 young River males are dominant in Ingwelala, while Skorros should be more towards south, south-east, close to Motswari. 
Up-close and personal with the king of beasts! The Timbavati male lion in his prime photographed at Thornybush Game Reserve a couple of years ago. Isn't he stunning? There's not the enough words to describe such a fine specimen of a male lion as he was!
Image by: @dramatic_africa (06-20-2021, 12:25 PM)Potato Wrote:(06-20-2021, 03:43 AM)Timbavati Wrote: The Skorro and old River Pride males had a scuffle last week in Ntsiri Yes, definitely are the Skorro males and old River pride males Hondo and Xantshema, Deon, my friend from Ingwelala/Umbabat told me that the old River pride males gave a good hiding to the Skorro males |
| Users browsing this thread: |
| 11 Guest(s) |