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Madikwe Game Reserve Lions
Madikwe Game Reserve Lions
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Madikwe Game Reserve Lions
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I found no thread on Lions of Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa. Therefore, I am starting this thread with the Mahiwa collation of the Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa.
The game reserve: Madikwe Game Reserve, situated 90 km north of Zeerust, was once farmland with poor soil for successful farming. After thorough research, the South African government repurposed the land into a provincial park to uplift the economically challenged area. As the fifth largest game reserve in South Africa, Madikwe spans 680 km² and 750 km², including privately owned land. Renowned for conservation efforts, it boasts a diverse array of wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffaloes, and both white and black rhinos, as well as various plains antelope species. Madikwe's uniqueness stems from its location at the Kalahari and Bushveld transition zones. The climate is generally mild to hot, with occasional cold winter nights. Hosting over 350 bird species, the reserve is close to Pilanesberg National Park, with plans for a corridor development between the two parks. The reserve has recently opened itself up to private farms outside the main reserve. Private users need to abide by parks board rules, animals can roam over any land, but there are restrictions as to where private vehicles can drive. Game Reserve location The Mahiwa Collation: It consists of two lions Dark Mane and Blondie, born in & around 2016 and currently around 8 and in their prime. I found them beautiful with hardly any scars, especially given their age. Few marks that are there seem to result from sibling fights or fights with lionesses. Dark Mane Mahiwa was sired by the big Kwandwe male and looks a lot like his father. Monomoholo was the partner of the big Kwandwe male. Kwandwe males were born in & around 2010. The big Kwandwe male at 10 years of age.  *This image is copyright of its original author Dark Mane Mahiwa lion: in 2021  *This image is copyright of its original author Dark Mane Mahiwa  *This image is copyright of its original author https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrL2OkKKzai/ https://x.com/LIONLOVERS5/status/1741027845902622938?s=20 https://www.instagram.com/reel/Czi0Q2jK3f4/ https://www.instagram.com/reel/C09kpnDKnZy/
Appears that Mahiwa used to be three brothers when took over from Chimro males in late 2019.
[video=facebook]https://www.facebook.com/lionsoftheafricanwildlife/posts/pfbid02M4NDWq6jCEKMKJQGjsvCTJyy8x4Z7VUebAPniknaFjfwFfuPC2mtL221stt1Vycfl[/video]
https://www.facebook.com/lionsoftheafric...1stt1Vycfl One of the three Mahiwa lions in Nov 2019 when they were fighting Chimro males for territory, at a quite young age.  *This image is copyright of its original author https://www.facebook.com/lionsoftheafric...7/?__cft__[0]=AZVuHQS8YkhB51KE3DcocxbLmSbJ4Zwp1UuRg0p-Oez4zEpT9ynZcWcxjNbwUvJvsmKhxo3BTcD64RNerpApvbJuJTorQOIkrlgfm-b1J84ilyV7_ZgHlM5hqLsHQxiPw6o&__tn__=EH-R 
Their fathers are still around too?
Thank you for this thread…I know nothing about the prides and Lion dynamics and I’m sure we all appreciate you starting this thread, thank you! What’s the overall Lion situation at madikwe? How many lions, prides etc. (12-30-2023, 07:01 PM)GhostCatP-22 Wrote: Their fathers are still around too? I have very little to no information about the lion prides of Madikwe. The fathers of Madikwe were still around in 2021 at the age of 11 years and that's quite a good age to be able to live. I'll keep posting as I get more information but I'm not a regular on the platform though I want to be. I understand lion prides/collations dynamics and always find these fascinating.
Another collation in the reserve is Tswalu collation again of two brothers.
https://www.instagram.com/michael_rads_/reel/CuG_ZHbKMzn/ https://www.instagram.com/p/CxFGWoVqq8N/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link One of the Tswalu males, another handsome lion. From the information on the second Instagram post, one of the Tswalu brothers got killed in Sept while 3 lionesses of pride were pregnant. (Speculated that other Tswalu lion was killed by Mahiwa brothers, says other FB post). 
Batia brothers (1993 - 2008), first lions which were introduced to Madikwe from Etosha National Park
2001, Batia C and Batia V  *This image is copyright of its original author 2008 Batia C and Batia V  *This image is copyright of its original author Batia V and Batia C  *This image is copyright of its original author Credits: Dave Donkin https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/3353258/lentswe-november-decemberpub-north-west-parks
Naledi brothers, grandsons of Batias (Batias' sons are Dithaba and Sepedi)
 *This image is copyright of its original author https://www.tuningi.com/rangers-journal/a-star-has-fallen/ Either Dithaba or Sepedi  *This image is copyright of its original author https://photo-africa.blogspot.com/2008/08/lions-batia-brothers-ditaba-sepedi-and.html (12-31-2023, 10:13 AM)Hello Wrote: Batia brothers (1993 - 2008), first lions which were introduced to Madikwe from Etosha National Park Oh yes, Batias lions were large, especially compared to Sabi Sands lions. They had one of the longest tenures as kings. Here is a video sharing more details of the legendary collation.
03-22-2024, 02:19 AM
( This post was last modified: 03-25-2024, 07:53 AM by sanjay
Edit Reason: corrected the format
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Thank you for initiating this thread on the Lions of Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa, particularly highlighting the Mahiwa collation. Madikwe Game Reserve indeed stands out as a remarkable conservation area with a rich history and diverse wildlife.
The transformation of former farmland into a provincial park showcases the positive impact of sustainable conservation practices on local communities and ecosystems. Madikwe's vast expanse and strategic location contribute to its significance as the fifth largest game reserve in South Africa, offering a habitat for a wide range of iconic species. The unique blend of Kalahari and Bushveld environments within Madikwe creates a biodiverse ecosystem, attracting wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike. The collaborative efforts between Madikwe and Pilanesberg National Park further enhance conservation initiatives and promote the preservation of South Africa's natural heritage. Looking forward to delving deeper into discussions about the Lions of Madikwe and other fascinating aspects of this exceptional game reserve.
01-20-2025, 12:33 AM
( This post was last modified: 01-20-2025, 12:54 AM by Mwk85
Edit Reason: Added additional content
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Dark mane Mahiwa male is no more. Word is that after being in several territorial fights recently an injury occurred that eventually led to paralyzes of one or both back legs. He was placed in a boma within the past few days I believe (saw a post on it a day or two ago) and was said to be dealing with some type ligament injury but unfortunately it must have been more severe than that given the outcome. The veterinarians did euthanize him.
Edit: The video below confirms the severity of the injury. (Video is of a paralyzed animal so proceed at your own viewing risk)
May I start the first debate on this thread?
So I was watching a reel on instagram about a litter of cubs that lost their mother in Kruger ( dont remember wich pride) and I just happend to go see the comments, and as usual there were people saying " save the cubs" " why didnt they help the mother" the usual, I am on the side that we should always not intervene when the problem isnt men made, but the " save the cubs" for some reason put me with alot of questions such as: For example in these reserves where you dont have that much genetic diversity, or in new reserves that eventually need to get their first lions in to stabilize the ecosystem etc... couldnt for example cubs in Kruger with 0 survival chances like not having a mother etc instead of dying and being just a couple thousand calories to hyenas, vultures you name it, is it moraly wrong to use those cubs for conservation purposes? " But you gotta respect the natural selection process" I mean when you´re a little cub most of your survival isnt about how tough you can be but more so by how lucky you are.. And leaves me with other questions like, animals in zoos ( lets use lions as an example) could lions all over the world in zoos be used to populate these reserves, obviously theres that thing that most cant hunt, more or less is the truth because there should be ways of testing that, but lets they cant ( wich we have examples that they can but anyway) could we have a pride of lionesses and use artificial insimination from lion sperm of males in zoos to pregnate those lionesses in those prides, it would do wonders to the genetic diversity in the population, but that could only work if there was no male around because he either mate with those females and we are left without knowing who the father of those cubs really are , or he doesnt mate and decides to kill the cubs that arent his Either way thats just me brainstorming  (01-20-2025, 02:00 AM)Rui Ferreira Wrote: May I start the first debate on this thread? Yeah.. this is something I've been thinking of a lot as well. I actually think this is the direction that Kevin Richardson is going to go in with his foundation when all of his lions finally pass (his lions live to 20+ it seems). But soon he is going to have a lot of his enclosures freed up and I know he just did a thing with the Miracle 6 Cheetah's where they took in 6 orphan Cheetah's and I know 3 of them (males) are now covered quite a bit on Wild Earth, and the other 3 went to various reserves as WILD cats. This is the vision I think he wants where his reserve is a place where things like this happens. I agree, this has to be part of a future plan or there will be no wild cats in Africa in our lifetimes.
In the special cases that one could think about that, specifically in case of Kruger I would still do nothing because of the prevalent bovine tuberculosis. One thing is spreading it out, introducing it to other places, the other is how dangerous it is for humans (it might have already skipped to humans, but due to its nature of staying dormant for quite some time and the regional specifics to put it mildly, it won't be known).
As for zoos, most will focus on Asiatic lions instead (iirc remember correctly those are not present in north american zoos though) or some sort of legacy population like Barbary lions or are keeping generic african lions from circuses, private keepers confiscations you name it, or some just don't care about conservation that much. It's still good idea in principle, but I'm sceptical about the whole ordeal of importing a lion to a reputable zoo abroad being worth it and to even have a solid chance of going through. Too many would ask "what is in it for me" or have ulterior motives outright beyond just usual impotence you find everywhere these days. The AI etc. I think lions as a species are not such a priority and it would be more doing it because of them being charismatic megafauna species, there will be species that need help more and where every individual counts, but are not as popular. |
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