Modern Weights and Measurements of Wild Lions

[Pckts]

(02-02-2022, 10:59 PM)SpinoRex Wrote:

(02-02-2022, 10:17 PM)Pckts Wrote:

(02-02-2022, 10:10 PM)SpinoRex Wrote: Uptade

Im now in a long conversation with the ecologist of Madikwe GR. Thankfully he is a really nice guy and is also very interested about lion datas. We even shared datas together about Kruger lions. He is at the moment in contact with the reserve management and the head guide of the lodges. I will publish it when new informations are available.

Guides from lodges aren’t researchers so take everything they say in regards to capture weights with a grain of salt.

He is a staff member though. Because of that he asked the reserve management and got the confirmation of the batia male and was pretty accurate and sure about it (He said that to different users). I think it makes a difference how they explain it. Someone shared with me the video from Timbavati where a guide (with a lot of experience apparently looking at his knowledge and working time in Kruger) precisely explained the story behing these lions. I think he was the one who said that mabande weighed 250 kg (The male was back then confirmed to be weighed together with the famous lion ghost). The other lion he mentioned was it ximpoko or the Birmingham male? 

Looking as for now Mabande was several times collared (at least 2 times, because he doesnt have a collar anymore) and at least 1 time weighed.

But generally i agree with you. Many weights are estimated and William Knight exactly got these infos when he asked the reserve management. Its important from where the source is... as a person alone he is already reliable due to the fact he works there.

A staff member is simply an employee of the lodge. 
Lodges have nothing to do with the capture and treatment of animals. That is a government job unless the reserve is privately owned then they'll employ someone to do so. A lodge is simply a hotel/game drive service within the reserve, nothing more. 
Next, asking ''reserve management" is an empty claim. You'd need to know who specifically and what their qualifications are as well as who gave them said information. 


A guide claiming any weight is baseless without sources.  Guides have no reason to be involved with captures so any info they get is 2nd hand. If any weights are claimed, they aren't valid unless specifically mentioned by the ones involved in the capture. For instance, any collared Tiger's weight we have has been confirmed by the ones involved or referenced in the capture and collaring of that cat. If that criteria isn't available then the weights are disregarded. This is the same for any big cat used in scientific tables.

Lastly, William Knight first gave misinformation before changing his answer.This is done time and time again and is a perfect example of what I said above. Reply