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(08-02-2024, 01:03 AM)Ngonya Wrote: 2/6 Nkhulu males in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, by Michael Nk
Smudge (#1) and Kinky Tail (#5) in a zebra kill, both fully gorged and looking great
*This image is copyright of its original author
*This image is copyright of its original author
They are definitely keeping themselves well fed, as you mentioned they already have full bellies, and they haven't even take the first bite of zebra yet.
08-08-2024, 12:57 AM( This post was last modified: 08-08-2024, 01:08 AM by Ngonya )
Nkhulu x Sand River
MALAMALA GAME RESERVE | GAME REPORT | July -2024
THE SAND RIVER PRIDE = 6
2 ADULT FEMALES ± 6 YEARS 0 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 6 MONTHS
1 SUB-ADULT FEMALE 3 YEARS 11 MONTHS
2 SUB-ADULT FEMALES 2 YEARS 11 MONTHS
SOUTHERN CHARLESTON
(6 sightings) "Two lionesses were with a single Nkuhlu male at Flat Rocks on the 14th. Five lionesses were west of KK Crossing on the 18th. On the 23rd, four lionesses were with the four Nkuhlu males at Charleston Rock and were joined by another lioness the next day near Tjellahanga Pans. On the 25th, three lionesses were with three Nkuhlu males west of Flat Rocks and on the 27th, they were joined by another female and two more Nkuhlu males to the east of Verreaux's Crossing." OTHER LIONS ENCOUNTERED:
NKUHLU MALES (7 sightings) "Two males were at River Rocks on the 12th and one male was with the Sand River pride at Flat Rocks on the 14th. All four males were at Tjellahanga pans on the 18th and were with the Sand River pride at Charleston Rocks on the 23rd and returned to Tjellahanga Pans the next day. On the 25th, three of the males were with the Sand River pride west of Flat Rocks. They were east of Verreaux's Crossing with the Sand River pride on the 27th." Nkhulu male #5 with Sand River female in MalaMala, couple of days ago, by Mary Kay Mason illustrative photo - not posted in MalaMala's official report document
The S. Avoca really help boost the SR Pride's numbers, their daughters now being 4/6 of the members. Guess it's safe to say that the older female has passed away....not long after her last cub was killed by Snip Tail.
08-08-2024, 07:59 PM( This post was last modified: 08-08-2024, 08:05 PM by Ngonya )
(08-08-2024, 05:48 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote: So at this point Nkhulus are pretty much coalition of 4
They have been hanging more and more together, that is really great. After months scattered it seems like the coalition is not only thriving in a bigger group but also physically recovering as much as possible from whatever made them unhealthy.
(08-08-2024, 05:48 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote: Not sure on the status od #4 as he was not seen for a while
Last likely recent picture i saw of him was around 15th of June, he was looking as fine as possible taking into account his condition.
*This image is copyright of its original author
by andBeyond Kirkman's Kamp.
Unfortunately andBeyond pages love to upload not recent pictures, so not only the last post i saw on him was more than a month ago but also probably not recent.
(08-08-2024, 05:48 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote: #6 pretty much split frome the rest
He was pretty submissive to his brother #3 when both were with a pair of females in KNP. You see #3 in the company of his healthier brothers and he was easily dominated/bullied by #2, Snip Tail, now imagine #6...
#6 is definitly not only the youngest and smallest, but also the weakest.
At Kruger, accompanied by no other than females, he has more chances to mate, true ladies man for months now.
(08-08-2024, 05:48 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote: Dreadlocks is prob gone.
Safe to say he is no more, unless reapears all of a sudden like a phoenix, which is highly unlikely lol
There are MalaMala sightings of 5 males but it seems that 4 are the core of the coalition and 1-2 spend more time on Kruger, probably in the process of splitting.
If only 4 consolidates in Sabi Sands then, considering the unstable condition of some of them, perhaps the Gijimas will be able to hold the line and raise their cubs.
08-08-2024, 08:29 PM( This post was last modified: 08-08-2024, 08:30 PM by Ngonya )
(08-08-2024, 08:10 PM)Mapokser Wrote: There are MalaMala sightings of 5 males but it seems that 4 are the core of the coalition and 1-2 spend more time on Kruger, probably in the process of splitting.
Few months ago the KK video says all six were often seen there, not necessarily together
But as u say, thats likely a splitting process. Maybe a different pride under their control in Kruger, perhaps the Plains Camp females?
Im hoping to see something on #4 sooner or later, hopefully still alive and well. But as each passing day my hopes are lower and lower.
(08-08-2024, 08:10 PM)Mapokser Wrote: If only 4 consolidates in Sabi Sands then, considering the unstable condition of some of them, perhaps the Gijimas will be able to hold the line and raise their cubs.
They've been getting bolder so Gijimas will have some tuff times ahead.
Hopefully both coalitions can not engage at useless confrontations, but from what it looks like:
Nkhulus are already quite interested in Gijima males territory.
Going full force deep in their territory was enough prove of that.
Fortunately for the Gijimas, the Nkhukus are not 100% healthy indeed.
2 out of the core 4 are limping with their usual skinny hips, ofc better than a few months ago but still not in perfect shape, and i honestly doubt they ever will get to such.
If Gijimas remain bold and assertive in their approach, im certain they can handle the Nkhulus for quite some time, unless the four brothers all of a sudden turn a key and decide they wont run when outnumbering their adversaries no more.
(08-08-2024, 08:29 PM)Ngonya Wrote: Nkhulus are already quite interested in Gijima males territory.
Going full force deep in their territory was enough prove of that.
If you are talking about last encounter, it was Gijimas who went east into their territory first, only to be chased back west.
Same thing happened on encounter before that.
I think Gijimas had more ventures in their territory then vice versa.
(08-08-2024, 09:45 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote: If you are talking about last encounter, it was Gijimas who went east into their territory first, only to be chased back west.
Same thing happened on encounter before that.
I think Gijimas had more ventures in their territory then vice versa.
"The Gijima males were found near Selati Camp in the company of the Msuthlu females following up on a big herd of buffalos grazing in the open area in front of the lodge. [...]
Morning safari began quietly, the cool weather providing ideal conditions for the Gijima males and Msuthlu females to traverse the night. Their tracks, etched in the sand, revealed a change of plans, with the lions abandoning their buffalo trail and heading south. The Gijima males' tracks diverged eastward, while the Msuthlu females and their cubs settled just north of Bush Lodge. As the morning progressed, distant roars from the east hinted at nearby males, their calls growing louder and demanding attention. Upon reaching the eastern stretches of our reserve, the two Gijima males emerged over the rise, moving west with palpable tension. Moments later, four Nkhuhlu males appeared, roaring and chasing the Gijimas.
The chase led into the reserve, culminating in an open area near Bush Lodge. The "smaller" Gijima male, typically overshadowed by his dominant brother, suddenly turned to confront the Nkhuhlu males. In a burst of fierce energy, he pinned one down, biting into limbs before driving the Nkhuhlu males back towards the eastern boundary, reasserting his territory.
This fierce defence not only showcased the Gijima males' strength but also underscored their commitment to protecting the cubs just north of Bush Lodge, ensuring their safety amidst the constant threats from outsider males."
thats from Sabi Sabi's report on the confrontation posted previously on this and other topic. From my point of view and interpretation, it sounds like Nkhukus were the intigators to this altercation.
Please correct me if im wrong.
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(08-08-2024, 11:15 PM)Ngonya Wrote: thats from Sabi Sabi's report on the confrontation posted previously on this and other topic. From my point of view and interpretation, it sounds like Nkhukus were the intigators to this altercation.
Please correct me if im wrong.
To me, this suggest that Gijimas in the night moved east, and in the morning got chased back west.
When rangers got to the chase in the morning, action was already happen on eastern border of SabiSabi and Gijimas territory.
"Their tracks, etched in the sand, revealed a change of plans, with the lions abandoning their buffalo trail and heading south. The Gijima males' tracks diverged eastward, while the Msuthlu females and their cubs settled just north of Bush Lodge.
"Upon reaching the eastern stretches of our reserve, the two Gijima males emerged over the rise, moving west with palpable tension. Moments later, four Nkhuhlu males appeared, roaring and chasing the Gijimas."
08-09-2024, 12:35 AM( This post was last modified: 08-09-2024, 12:37 AM by Ngonya )
(08-09-2024, 12:02 AM)Tr1x24 Wrote: To me, this suggest that Gijimas in the night moved east, and in the morning got chased back west.
When rangers got to the chase in the morning, action was already happen on eastern border of SabiSabi and Gijimas territory.
Sounds reasonable to me.
So they would have gone to MalaMala or Lion Sands (which is where Nkhulus were spending their previous few days before the altercation) and got chased by Nkhulu.
Then they chased them back when Blonde Gijima turned around, at MalaMala again another chase where the Nkhuku drove them out.
That would make it 3 times that the Gijima have invaded Nkhulu territory since the end of last year.
2/3 of these situations Nkhulus succesfully drove them back.
Thats great, both coalitions are doing exceptionally well defending their lands.
Also if ur point is the case it seems like Nkhulus are keeping their cool, Sand Rivers must be keeping them busy.
But its likely that sooner or later they will try to expand, either to Kruger, or MalaMala or Gijima's territory.
