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(02-01-2025, 08:11 AM)Mapokser Wrote: One of them, I believe #5 with the big mane, is almost always in good condition and barely limps ( though sometimes he is skinny ), the other 2 yeah, their condition is very inconsistent.
Still, if it's their condition holding them back, it's not a bad thing for the local dynamics, for now it's better for Ndhzengas and Gijima to remain in power.
But 1, 2 years from now if Nkuhlu were to oust the old Ndhzengas, it could be a good thing as they'd have the numbers to control that area, and the Kambula pride will have its new generation ready to accept new males.
I agree. For Nkhulus specifically, if they manage to have cubs just with Sand River pride, it is sort of waste of a reproductive potential of such a big coalition, on the other hand with their relatives Plain Camps and Mantimahles 2.0 doing well in Sabi Sands or adjacent area and their Mantimahle fathers being successful all around, it is not entirely bad for the genetically diversity of the population if Nkhulu would be underachievers (mostly due to circumstances beyond their reach aka health issues and subsequent impact) - although at first glance, Mantimahle progeny seems to inherit a lot of desirable "strong" genes at least of the physical appearance kind, not bad to spread out, unless there are some detrimental that would spread with it. Worth noting PCM don't have a great record with their cubs survival beyond Ximhungwe pride (and Nkuhuma Breakaways duo, which is more thanks to Ridge Nose anyway), but they still monopolize reproduction capacities of multiple prides on the territory their control, hopefully next generation of Mantimahle dscendants in Sabi Sands will deisperse in different directions rather than mate with each other.
And ofc we all would like it if takeovers would happen at times in between generations of litters, so the sub-adults can move on and ideally no cubs would be casualtiesv - sort of like Ndzhengas took over Kambulas for the most part - so it would be great if Gijimas would hold off Nkhulus for few years more for sure.
I always thought that Nkuhlu were a huge threat to the future rule of Gijima and Ndhzenga, while I remember Tr1x doubting they'd be healthy enough to outcompete these duos in the future.
Now I'm leaning towards agreeing with Tr1x. Even if #2 gets back to full strength ( it's weird he hasn't yet, even limping, nomad K4 who got a much worse beating, has been seen in top condition ), #3, #4and #6 are just not healthy enough.
They, when in good condition, can help repeal Gijima like they did in the past, get some back and forth chasing.
But say the Gijima were to attack them at this kill right now? Only chance all Nkuhlu survives would be if Gijima spared them out of the feeling such weak lion is not a threat. I doubt these 3 weaker brothers can outrun anyone in such condition.
Now, what if #2 doesn't get back to 100%? I don't want to be pessimistic but he may have the same disease his brothers have and after the beating, the symptoms started to show up. It happened to Delaporte and some other lions, it's that theory that the disease goes from dormant to active after a beating or injury.
If #2 also gets sick, suddenly they can even get ousted by any bold duo who gives it a try.
(Yesterday, 07:03 AM)Mapokser Wrote: I always thought that Nkuhlu were a huge threat to the future rule of Gijima and Ndhzenga, while I remember Tr1x doubting they'd be healthy enough to outcompete these duos in the future.
Now I'm leaning towards agreeing with Tr1x. Even if #2 gets back to full strength ( it's weird he hasn't yet, even limping, nomad K4 who got a much worse beating, has been seen in top condition ), #3, #4and #6 are just not healthy enough.
They, when in good condition, can help repeal Gijima like they did in the past, get some back and forth chasing.
But say the Gijima were to attack them at this kill right now? Only chance all Nkuhlu survives would be if Gijima spared them out of the feeling such weak lion is not a threat. I doubt these 3 weaker brothers can outrun anyone in such condition.
Now, what if #2 doesn't get back to 100%? I don't want to be pessimistic but he may have the same disease his brothers have and after the beating, the symptoms started to show up. It happened to Delaporte and some other lions, it's that theory that the disease goes from dormant to active after a beating or injury.
If #2 also gets sick, suddenly they can even get ousted by any bold duo who gives it a try.
Do you know who the 2 thin Nkhulu Males in the 2nd post on the right side, the other Nkhulu Males are also thin but not that THIN compared to the 2 on the right, really seems like they do have a serious illness also it seems like the some of the Nkhulu Males did get the bad end of the stick in terms of disease affecting them heavily.
Yeah something happened too these guys awhile ago and I have no idea what happened lack of food poison or they just have TB and are suffering… but it seems like a similar situation that the tumbelas had/have but idk they used to look like tanks but now most of them are sick
(Yesterday, 08:38 AM)sunless Wrote: Do you know who the 2 thin Nkhulu Males in the 2nd post on the right side, the other Nkhulu Males are also thin but not that THIN compared to the 2 on the right, really seems like they do have a serious illness also it seems like the some of the Nkhulu Males did get the bad end of the stick in terms of disease affecting them heavily.
9 hours ago( This post was last modified: 9 hours ago by FACR2212 )
I was thinking... what if Nkuhulu males are not good hunters, and the one and only pride in wich they are held (sand river pride) can't get enough food for 6 adult males? Maybe that's a reason why large male coalitions need to split, or take over more than 2 or 3 prides?
Also considering that most of the pride are younger southern avoca daughters but I think it’s not a lot of food being eaten but them to fully recover but just enough to survive day by day if they had a streak like the kambulas had they’d definitely be recovered by now
3 hours ago( This post was last modified: 3 hours ago by Ngonya )
(9 hours ago)FACR2212 Wrote: I was thinking... what if Nkuhulu males are not good hunters, and the one and only pride in wich they are held (sand river pride) can't get enough food for 6 adult males? Maybe that's a reason why large male coalitions need to split, or take over more than 2 or 3 prides?
Honestly sounds very unlikely.
Before even becoming pride males, the Nkuhlus as 6 brothers and 1 unrelated male (DeLaporte) would still sometimes look skinny but in general they were mostly fine and in decent - good shape.
Around late 2023 there was an increase in the deterioration of some members, which began to lose weight and even their mane. Coincidentally or not, that was shortly after they became dominant males. Perhaps the fact they were always scattered chasing lionesses focused on mating led to some emaciation that resulted in a more accelerated deterioration since their time was pretty much all about females and mating, food wasnt their main concern, perhaps accelerating the action of any disease they may have.
I think its undeniable and clear that their condition is perfectly described as unstable. Sometimes skin and bones, looking as if they are on deaths door. Other times in decent shape, not great but ok looking.
Despite a bit of mane loss from Smudge, him and Snip Tail were the only males in the coalition that had barely any deterioration over this period.
With most recent events of a beating by the Gijimas on Snip Tail, it seems as if he is taking longer then it would be expected to heal and get 100% in terms of condition, but perhaps its too soon to speak. Fact is he is looking more "malnourished" than ever.
(9 hours ago)Ttimemarti Wrote: Also considering that most of the pride are younger southern avoca daughters but I think it’s not a lot of food being eaten but them to fully recover but just enough to survive day by day if they had a streak like the kambulas had they’d definitely be recovered by now
Nkuhlus have already taken down giraffes and even young Hippo.
They are often on buffalo meals and seem to have not a single struggle with hunting.
But unlike Kambulas, the Nkuhlu males have other priorities.
They ain't nomads and wont go and roam around freely looking for buffalo, thats the typical young/nomad lion life.
Theres few pictures/videos of them on kills but theres few footage and info on them in general, especially since they are into Kirkman's Kamp and little is shared from that area.
True but I’d assume they have TB as all lions have it but do you think these guys are in a similar situation as the tumbelas as it’s in advanced stages… I also heard the tumbelas males got poisoned but nothing confirmed just a rumor
