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Lions of Timbavati
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A Timbavati update by Johan: Just an update from our side. We don't have any guests in camp at the moment. But the other Guides from Makanyi just found the Birmingham Young Male mating with a Avoca lioness and the Torchwood Male was also there with them.
The Mapoza Male #lion put on a good show of posing for a few brief minutes this morning, before flopping down in the soft grass to sleep the day away.
With competition edging ever closer from all sides, he is spending less time alone, and more in the company of his safety net, the Monwana Pride of #lions. The coming months are going to interesting, and we are all hoping that Mapoza can reign for atleast another year, ensuring the current crop of cubs have, less chance of being killed before reaching maturity, and thus a greater survival rate.  *This image is copyright of its original author
 (12-22-2021, 12:13 PM)Timbavati Wrote: A Timbavati update by Johan: Just an update from our side. We don't have any guests in camp at the moment. But the other Guides from Makanyi just found the Birmingham Young Male mating with a Avoca lioness and the Torchwood Male was also there with them. Wow, I hope we get some more information on this encounter, so many questions.
2 to be reckoned with.
At just a few months over 4 years old, the current 4 Blackdam male #lions pose a real threat to the dominance of ANY male #lion, or coalition, in the nearby vicinity, should they choose to start asserting themselves territorially soon. Three of these chaps are huge, bulky, muscular and in peak physical condition to effect a successful takeover. Should the last remaining 2 brothers join from their adventures in the Timbivati, this brotherhood of 6 could prove to be unstoppable.  *This image is copyright of its original author
 (12-22-2021, 12:13 PM)Timbavati Wrote: A Timbavati update by Johan: Just an update from our side. We don't have any guests in camp at the moment. But the other Guides from Makanyi just found the Birmingham Young Male mating with a Avoca lioness and the Torchwood Male was also there with them. Seems like the Torchwood Male has done his share and now the Birmingham Young Male gets his chance  (12-21-2021, 09:56 PM)Timbavati Wrote: A new presence has been asserting itself around our area over the past month. There is a feeling of excitement that fills the air when hearing his roars envelop the night sky. He is unknown to us. Unlike most, he is not well habituated to vehicles. It takes time and sensitivity to calm his edge. Slowly, he lets us into his world and what a magnificent specimen he is. No one can establish from where his lineage comes. Will he rival the old River Pride males to claim the Jacaranda Pride? The numbers wouldn't say so, but his strength may give him the upper hand. He doesn't appear to have a coalition partner making it impressive that he has survived up to this point. That, though, is the beauty of being a part of an open system wilderness. Everything is unpredictable. We might never see him again, or he could establish himself as the new dominant male in the area. Time will tell. Looks like he could be one of 5 River pride young males according to some people 
https://www.umlani.com/blog/post/2021-in-a-nutshell/
A 2021 recap as we reach the end of the year The lion prides, in 2021, have had a time of turmoil and territorial fighting, which has changed the dynamic hugely. Things are starting to settle down now, but for weeks, we were very sad to have seen the River Pride move far up North, after their coalition (the Nharhu males) was disrupted by the death of two of the three brothers. A deeply tragic and heart wrenching experience to watch these magnificent brothers fall from glory. One to illness in the first quarter of 2021. The other brother, just a week before his death seemed to have been in his prime, sightings were outstanding, as he showed himself in all his regal glory, and showed off his powerful roar most nights. A week later, we had to watch this poor vulnerable badly injured male lion, get weaker and weaker, until he chose his spot for dying, under (what I call) The Tree of Life, a majestic and massive Sycamore Fig tree on one of the neighbouring properties. The circle of life was complete for this previously mighty King, now quietly leaving his damaged body behind, offering it back to nature as the Hyenas he’d chased off before, devoured his remains ☹ More recently, the River Pride and their cubs seems to be slowly, moving back in the area, at least for visits, and the only remaining brother of the Nharhu males, is still limping around with them, surviving his challenger’s advances on claiming his family. Quite an unusual and interesting dynamic to behold, because neither the River Pride females, nor the skorro male (because of his limp) is calling at night. Quiet as can be, he skilfully evades his brother’s fates; and when he goes on walk- about without his ladies, they call, ever so softly, for his return. And so far, he always returns! I am also very relieved to report, that the three male cubs and one female cub from this year’s litter, are still alive, as well the only surviving cub from last year’s litter (female), who is now a sub-adult. Although it’s still very unsure exactly who is King of this part of the bush is at the moment, the Mayambula Pride’s two males (and the females) seem to be the only lions calling territorially in the area at night. It’s thought amongst the trackers and guides that perhaps, should the remaining Nharhu male die or leave, that the MayambulaPride may possibly join together with the River Pride females and become one. After all, for a full week while the two males of the Mayambula pride were on a territorial security prowl, our Nharhu limping “skorro” male cheekily capitalized, by scoring with the ladies on a sympathy vote no doubt, and spent the whole week mating with many of the females of that pride. 
Seeing the next generation of a Pride is always so special!! Who can resist a tiny version of any animal, they are just too cute!
JV encountered the Vuyela with a female who had rejoined them with her little one  *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
(12-25-2021, 07:43 PM)Potato Wrote: Seeing the next generation of a Pride is always so special!! Who can resist a tiny version of any animal, they are just too cute! And finally.... the mighty Vuyela males became fathers by first time. A long way to go still, but with five members within the coalition, the way will be a bit easier |
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