Other male lion coalitions from Masai Mara

[Tshokwane]

Credits to Peter Rettig.

The 6 Bila Shaka Males - Status July 2018


This coalition of six now 4 year old Male Lions will likely change the lion dynamics in the Maasai Mara for the next up to 8 years!

It is rather unusual that 6 young males in a Lion Pride make it to independence. It is also rather unusual that all 6 survive the first years of their nomadic life after leaving their natal Pride. But if that happens, then the Lion Prides face rather difficult times.

Well, let’s repeat some quick background information first:

- born into the Moniko Pride; sons of Lolparpit & Olbarnoti
- 2 males were born in March 2014 and are brothers 
- 3 males were born in May 2014; two are brothers while I am not sure about the 3rd
- 1 male was born in September 2014

They were not yet 3 years old when they arrived and for some odd reason the 2 Marsh Pride Males, Rafiki & Karibu, tolerated them in their territory. The 3 Kichwa Males crossed the River and chased them around several times, but they never stayed as the Marsh Pride Females had left their territory to keep their 9 cubs safe from the intruding males, so the Kichwa Males always returned to their Prides in the northern Triangle.

The 6 Bila Shaka Males stayed being “happy campers” and grew in size & confidence. At some point they turned tables on the Kichwa Males and chased them back across the River. The males started to mate with the different satellite Marsh Pride Females and Spot and Rembo gave birth to cubs, hence both lost their litters. Rembo’s cubs were killed by one member of the coalition not being aware the cubs have been sired by one of his partners. That is always a serious risk with large coalitions of Male Lions and can turn out being utterly destructive for Lion Prides.

Yaya bonded with the males and gave birth to 2 cubs in April this year and these cubs are doing very well. Yaya’s 2 older daughters have been accepted by the males and mating will start pretty soon them being almost 3 years old now. Latest news is that Spot has given birth to a new litter and more cubs will arrive as at least Little Red and Kabibi have also mated with members of the coalition.

The big question a year ago was – will these 6 males stay in the Musiara & Bila Shaka areas and become real Pride Males to start a new chapter in the chronicles of the Marsh Pride, or will they move on to take over other Prides?

In June this year 5 of the males were moving around a lot while 1 male reportedly preferred to hang out with Little Red & Spot. These 5 males covered a lot of ground incl. the Greater Windmill Area, the southern parts of the Mara North Conservancy, as well as Topi Plains Pride territory. Obviously they were looking for prey, but also for the scattered Marsh Pride Females and probably for more/other Females to mate with.

Expectedly the Topi Plains Pride, neighbours of the Marsh Pride, was up for grips after the demise of Lipstick and being left with only 1 Pride Male. And basically that is what started to happen when I was there in June. Blackie left the Pride and members of the Bila Shaka Coalition started to court some of the Topi Plains Females. It will be a challenge for the Topi Girls to keep their youngsters out of the firing line.

Latest information indicate that members of the Bila Shaka Coalition have started to move further east towards the Double Crossing Area and one male was seen mating with one of the Enkoyonai Pride Females. There are 8-9 adult females in this Pride and only 2 aging Pride Males, Lolparpit & Olbarnoti, are defending their several youngsters. These Old Warriors are also the fathers of the Bila Shaka Males.

So the question this year is – will the Bila Shaka Males stay with the Marsh Pride and Topi Plains Pride or will they also take over the Enkoyonai Pride from their fathers? Well and if that happens – will they leave the Marsh Pride and/or the Topi Plains Pride for good? Or will this coaliton split up in 2 or 3 groups?

Time will tell!

Pictures: Two of the Bila Shaka Males moving towards Milima Tatu

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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