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Lions of Timbavati
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Their success is so insane that it rivals that of Majingilane who were 5, ruled for 8 years and are synonymous with big successful coalition in the Greater Kruger.
They did something similar as a duo, crazy. As for Mbiri, things looking good for their legacy, apparently nobody pressuring them as of right now, they'll likely at least raise the current Birmingham cubs ( oldest should be 2yo already ). But the new cubs from any Birmingham Breakaway female they currently have/will have, will need more luck, few males reach 13yo in the same shape the Ross had. Still, 10 Mayambula cubs, whatever how many Skorro cubs made it, and up to 17 Birmingham cubs in a 8+ year reign would be way more than enough.  (12-17-2024, 09:33 PM)Mapokser Wrote: Their success is so insane that it rivals that of Majingilane who were 5, ruled for 8 years and are synonymous with big successful coalition in the Greater Kruger. Yea, when things will be settled and done, 2 Mbiris will prob go down as most legendary duo ever in Kruger (again, out of what we could observe and know). They didnt only have longevity and success (like Ross males), but they are also two of the most badass and fierce males we could observe, with "expansive" and "conquering" mindset.  (12-17-2024, 10:01 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote:(12-17-2024, 09:33 PM)Mapokser Wrote: Their success is so insane that it rivals that of Majingilane who were 5, ruled for 8 years and are synonymous with big successful coalition in the Greater Kruger. Still remembering the Mbiri Males on and off sightings when we see them both all in good condition and the next sighting they are in a bad condition due to fighting then another sighting that they are back in their good condition and again in bad condition. You would really see on how much they have fought in their life to be a successful pride male and sire so many cubs. Just also on how unique both their faces compared to other lions are Zigzag with a sleepy face and Shaka with that terrifying face.  *This image is copyright of its original author Photo from The Virtual Safari @Tintswalo way back in December 2023 https://youtu.be/DZImt7OaVGM?si=cvrXeDRun3cEOG2h  (12-17-2024, 08:36 PM)Mapokser Wrote: 14yo, what, 8 years in power? Countless cubs. My friend, my previous comment about being heartbroken, not that you are referencing it with your comment, had to do with seeing Fabio in such condition. The lion who was such a strong and beautiful male, that they gave him the name Fabio, to see him now in his current condition is heartbreaking for me. Especially given my knowledge of the things the two of them accomplished, for so many years. Their legendary status was hard fought, well earned, and I do not know if we will ever see many who are more successful. The Ross Males' accomplishments, and their longevity, will be celebrated for many years to come, that is for certain.
Oh no doubt, and indeed I wasn't referring your comment at all, now that you mention it I realize it could have been seen this way.
Of course, it's always tough seeing a lion in bad condition, I was thinking more about it in a broader sense, that the end of the Ross males isn't a sad event considering they lived the best lion life possible leaving a huge legacy behind them.  (12-18-2024, 08:41 PM)Mapokser Wrote: Oh no doubt, and indeed I wasn't referring your comment at all, now that you mention it I realize it could have been seen this way. Agreed, I’d actually prefer if the last Ross male was to die right now instead of recovering and just having no meaning in life, struggling to survive. That’s not the way u want to see such a legend go out. (12-19-2024, 12:45 AM)KM600 Wrote:(12-18-2024, 08:41 PM)Mapokser Wrote: Oh no doubt, and indeed I wasn't referring your comment at all, now that you mention it I realize it could have been seen this way. While I understand your sentiment, I myself would never wish death on any of them. But, if I'm to be fully forthcoming, I do not believe it will be much longer until we see that outcome for Fabio, given his most recent condition. I am reminded of an old male lion, in a video that pops into my feed from time to time. The old lion, in obviously terrible condition, is trying to do everything he can to secure a badly needed buffalo meal. He grabs a buffalo, hanging on for dear life, until the buffalo is able to get him off, and begins beating the lion mercilessly, seemingly into near unconsciousness. I do not know who that old lion was, I recall some commenters saying that he was actually relocated after this incident, and went on to live awhile longer. It is a powerful video that I can never forget, though I do wish I knew who the male lion was, so I might try to learn more of his story, it is such a powerful telling of the age old story on never giving up. Point being, these cats won't ever give up on themselves, so I won't give up on them either. @KM600, I found the video I was referring to, though I do not believe this is the original one I have seen so many times. (12-19-2024, 02:06 AM)BA0701 Wrote:(12-19-2024, 12:45 AM)KM600 Wrote:(12-18-2024, 08:41 PM)Mapokser Wrote: Oh no doubt, and indeed I wasn't referring your comment at all, now that you mention it I realize it could have been seen this way. Ye I noticed my comment didn’t come across as I thought it did the moment after sending, I would only support the idea of him dying right now if it means he doesn’t have to live through however long, weeks / months of suffering. However, if he was to survive this, which I seriously doubt and goes onto live a half decent life as a nomad, while showing he very much still wants to live just a lil longer, I would be ecstatic for him. That video was prolly one of the saddest I have seen, I wanted the boy to get up while knowing he was ultimately dying from this altercation, just as u told me. I have never really liked these kind of videos, it started from when I first watched Brothers in Blood, Kinky Tails death really messed me up as a kid. Think I would have been 11 when I first watched that. Had always loved nature documentaries in general even back then, but had never experienced one with such gory scenes. Kinky Tails back snapping on camera sent literal shivering down my back, still does. That documentary wouldn’t get out of my head, and years later I started to search the Mapogos to find stories of all these other males too, with the first being Dark Mane and the Northern Avocas. Anyways, as I got older I started to realise these type of videos are just as important as all the good ones. It’s important we show all of their lifestyle, not just the ones ppl want to see. Just seen an old comment about the Brothers in Blood which I think resonates with this topic too, “ppl definitely have a ‘Disney mentality’ concerning nature, which is sad. Nature is brutal, but there is beauty in survival.’ That lion had crazy strength to take that beating and still go for the kill, nearly succeeded too, will always have my respect for that. If anyone knows who that lion is, I’d love to know his story. (12-19-2024, 03:35 PM)KM600 Wrote:(12-19-2024, 02:06 AM)BA0701 Wrote:(12-19-2024, 12:45 AM)KM600 Wrote:(12-18-2024, 08:41 PM)Mapokser Wrote: Oh no doubt, and indeed I wasn't referring your comment at all, now that you mention it I realize it could have been seen this way. I knew what you meant when you wrote that, and understand it, and know you didn't mean it in a bad way. Feel the same way about these types of videos, they are indeed crucial to understanding the things these cats endure. The video of this unknown male tells a powerful story, in my opinion, from the perspective of both animals. Though, I have to admit, seeing the buffalo's herd simply grazing on the grass, nearby, while this drama was unfolding, has always provided a little levity. Just as the videos taken in Dark Mane Avoca's final days. I have never been one to easily get emotional, though it seems to happen more often as I age, especially in the last 1.5 years, but having followed DM so closely, for so long, those videos really had an impact. Just as the video of this old male did, back when I first saw it. 
The four River Pride males have certainly been making their presence known on Umbabat recently. After having killed the dominant male of the Western Pride they have made most of Umbabat part of their territory. It is suspected that they had a fight with the white lion Xakubasa, leaving him with lots of claw and bite marks, but he seems to have held his own and kept his territory. This is a photo of one of the four River Pride boys taking a break from feeding on a carcass
 *This image is copyright of its original author
 (12-15-2024, 11:14 PM)BA0701 Wrote: Posting for @sunless While a snare injury is definitely not out of the question, my initial thought was that the mane on his neck had become rotten, eating away at the fur underneath. I'll echo the sentiments that it's very sad to see him like this, but this is the way it goes in nature. Lions (males in particular) and leopards reach old age, and the struggle to survive really begins. They're often finished off by hyenas, and I'm glad we don't tend to see photos or phootage of that. Maybe the rangers don't capture those moments out of respect for the animals. But while this is certainly sad, I find it a lot easier to see this than young lions and leopards dying before they've even got started in life, though that's also part of nature. He's an undisputed winner at the game of life, and his genes will 100% be passed on in his many descendents. |
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