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.
Our lions continue to hold centre stage, and throughout the week there were sightings of three of the four resident prides across the concession… interestingly, the fourth pride was seen, but way, way, way in the northern Timbavati. The Mayambula Pride were reported on a couple of occasions in the far north-eastern corner of the Timbavati; an area that they have not been known to visit in at least the last couple of decades. The herds of buffalos coming in from the Kruger National Park might be a draw, but it is also likely that there is a bigger push coming from the Vuyela males in the central regions. Nightly roaring from different fragments of the coalition is no doubt having the desired effect of spacing out the prides in our eastern regions, and with youngsters to protect, the Mayambula lionesses are not taking any chances. The Vuyela males continued to make their presence well known and were seen a few times this week, eventually reuniting with two Sark Breakaway lionesses in the west – although their arrival was unwelcome for the lionesses who had been enjoying an impala kill by themselves before the males arrived and stole it. The Giraffe Pride started and ended the week around the plains at Plains Camp, but were seen in fragments more frequently than they were as a united pride. We picked up a portion on our southern boundary last Monday afternoon before relocating on six other well-fed and bloodied members on the plains; they had gotten lucky in the middle of the day, as they were not in such a state when we left them in the morning. The River Pride lionesses were also seen several times last week, and whilst sitting at Tanda Tula Safari Camp last night, I could hear the roars of one of the lionesses not far from my house.
(08-12-2021, 03:27 AM)Timbavati Wrote: Update: I finally received an confirmation regarding the skull of the Black dam male. Friends that are working in the bushveld (who also always provided incredible sources) they've confirmed that the skull of the BDM was the third largest ever measured in Africa.
What are the exact measurements of this particular lion skull?
(08-12-2021, 03:27 AM)Timbavati Wrote: Update: I finally received an confirmation regarding the skull of the Black dam male. Friends that are working in the bushveld (who also always provided incredible sources) they've confirmed that the skull of the BDM was the third largest ever measured in Africa.
What are the exact measurements of this particular lion skull?
28 inches
So the length is like 17 inches and the width is 11 inches?
2 new groups of males (one of 3 young males and other group of 2 older than other group) appear in eastern Klaserie. Base on the location, age and numbers the 3 young males are I guess 3 sons of Nharhu males from Timbavati River pride. I have no idea who could be this other group made of 2 males.
By Lucas Vasquez, claiming Mbiris are taking over Ross territory in Ngala:
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
Not sure if it's true/if it will happen, but these 2 Ross males are old, right? Though if they are healthy and in good shape they can put up a fight if they want, it's 2v2.
After that excitement, we eventually made our way to where the lions had been left and caught up with them after an unsuccessful attempt on some impalas; we then watched the nine pride members strolling down the road before two of the Vuyela males came to join them.
It would take a lot to top the first drive, but when I got a radio call the next morning asking if I was operating in the east, I answered ‘no’, as I was searching for the wild dogs. When the reason for the question became known, my plans changed very quickly… the Birmingham males had been found on our southern boundary, and the white lion was with them. I told my guests there was something worth going to see, but it was a long drive – they said they trusted me, so off we went. I had a moment where I was thinking that I had maybe made the wrong choice after the wild dogs were found on our boundary close to Plains Camp – they had an impala kill that a leopard tried to steal, only to then be chased up a small tree by the wild dogs who spent a while under the tree jumping up trying to get at the leopard. Scotch got to enjoy all of this, but I persisted in my mission and quizzed my guests on what they thought would pull me out east. Suggestions of cheetah and pangolin, as well as a hippo mating with an elephant were made, but none of them suspect the real reason until we got closer. From a distance we spotted the white lion as he lay in the open sand; his tawny brothers barely discernible in the winter-coloured grass. I asked the guests if they could see the lion, and once spotted, I asked if they noticed anything different about him, even at that distance. They said he looked very pale… I told them they were right, and then the penny dropped. We made our way closer and got to spend some time with the trio and their rare recessive-gene’d star. It was exciting to see that they were once again found in the same area where they had been picked up last week; it also meant that the roars heard from that area the day before were also likely from them. The bad news is that it is right in the heart of the Mayambula Pride’s territory. With this new threat in the vicinity, it seems unlikely that the Mayambula will be returning anytime soon, but with the prospect of seeing more of this white lion, we are not overly upset. In a dream world, the Birmingham males will take over the Mayambula in a year or so (once the cubs are old enough to fend for themselves) and produce many white cubs with the females that I am confident possess the same recessive white genes. But, that is a dream for now, and so many stories could play out over the coming weeks, months, and years. The Skorro males are in their prime, and probably big enough to keep off the challengers for now…time will tell how this story unfolds.
(05-22-2023, 02:46 AM)Mapokser Wrote: By Lucas Vasquez, claiming Mbiris are taking over Ross territory in Ngala:
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
Not sure if it's true/if it will happen, but these 2 Ross males are old, right? Though if they are healthy and in good shape they can put up a fight if they want, it's 2v2.
Ross males turn 13 in Dec. They're ageing but still strong. Let's see what will happens
