There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
(09-02-2018, 09:21 AM)Herekitty Wrote: Malamala Lion Sightings. Credit: Malamala Game Reserve.
August 31st - One of the lioness from the Kambula pride and her 3 cubs treated us to a playful sighting at their den near Maxim’s Lookout. The other 5 lionesses and 3 Gowrie/Birmingham males were found in front of Rattray’s Camp. Later in the day they met up with the 6th lioness and we followed them on the hunt along the lower reaches of the Matshapiri River. The Sand River pride have finished off their buffalo kill and spent the day near Charleston Rock. An Avoca male and a Mantimahle male were seen separately in Charleston.
August 30th - 3 of the Gowrie males and all 6 lionesses from the Kambula pride spent most of the day in the Sand River in front of Sable Camp. The Styx pride were at Mlowathi Dam.
August 28th & 29th - The lioness from the Kambula pride that is denning near Maxim’s Lookout was viewed on both days with her 3 cubs- they also had a Gowrie male for company.
Credit: image by Raymond Stone at Malamala, posted September 1, 2018
*This image is copyright of its original author
The other Kambula lioness with cubs was seen at her den south of Rattray’s Camp. Credits: image by Bruce Missing at Rattray's, posted September 1, 2018
*This image is copyright of its original author
Another 2 Kambula lionesses and 2 Gowrie males were in central Flockfield. The Avoca males and the young lioness from the Eyrefield pride were seen together on both days near Calabash Crossing. The only surviving lioness from the Marthly pride was seen in Marthly.
August 25th-27th - The 6 lionesses from the Kambula pride, 3 cubs and the Gowrie males accounted for 6 of the sightings.
August 23rd & 24th - Yet again the bulk of sightings comprised of the 6 lionesses from the Kambula pride, 3 cubs and 3 of the Gowrie males.
Credits: Image by Doug Childs at Malamala, posted August 27, 2018 2 lionesses from the Kambula pride attempt to take down a Buffalo with the help of a Gowrie male lion at Malamala..
*This image is copyright of its original author
with only 3 bboys being seen i presumed mfumo is dead?
Credit: image by Alexis Medina at Malamala, posted September 1, 2018. As we were doing our early morning game drive inside the MalaMala Game Reserve, we got word that a lion was roaming around near the river. As we were driving through the field and river, we did not find him at first but then, another ranger spotted him walking down one of the dirt roads. As we drove near him, you could tell he was on a mission for water. He went down to the river and began drinking then after, he began to call for his other two brothers. From a distance, you could hear them responding to his roar. Eventually, the brothers met up and it was such an amazing experience to witness their interaction. This shot here was when the second lion was just chilling near the river as it was lightly drizzling. So majestic. I’m so elated to have captured my favorite animal. Not one but, three.
*This image is copyright of its original author
Credit: image by Nic Nel at MalaMala, posted September 2, 2018.
His coalition rules. For now. Male lion coalitions usual have around 5-6 years at the helm. Soon they break up and age catches up fast. In these few years as kings the must sire as many off spring as possible and defend the prides within their territory. Beauty comes second to strength.
Credit: image by CMTravels at Malamala, posted September 3, 2018
I couldn’t imagine a more beautiful sighting of a lioness and her cubs. On the rocks! Beautiful light and a whole load of cuteness!! Mhangene female and (Birmingham) cubs.
credit: image by Chené Wales-Baillie at Singita, posted September 3, 2018
(09-04-2018, 09:34 PM)sundarbans Wrote: It has been 3 months since Mfumo was last sighted. I suppose it is safe to conclude that he is dead?
Unfortunately, I think he's dead. He could have gone into the KNP where there are no updates, but I find this scenario very unlikely. Assuming if he did leave to look for new females, I would think that he would head into the direction that he's been previously. He had been in Sabi Sabi in the past hunting buffalo so would think he would head in this direction. Also, that area had been vacant for a long time when the Charleston left so he must of known so for the lack of roaring from dominant males.
(09-04-2018, 09:34 PM)sundarbans Wrote: It has been 3 months since Mfumo was last sighted. I suppose it is safe to conclude that he is dead?
Unfortunately, I think he's dead. He could have gone into the KNP where there are no updates, but I find this scenario very unlikely. Assuming if he did leave to look for new females, I would think that he would head into the direction that he's been previously. He had been in Sabi Sabi in the past hunting buffalo so would think he would head in this direction. Also, that area had been vacant for a long time when the Charleston left so he must of known so for the lack of roaring from dominant males.
I think you probably touched on one of the most logical scenarios ... he was injured while they were hunting buffalo and either he still hasnt recovered or he has passed on
Birmingham offspring. A beautiful sub adult from the Nkuhuma pride of lions! Credit: image by Justinglan at Jaci's Sabi House, posted September 2, 2018
Yes it does seem probable that Mfumo has perished. There is a chance that he has gone into the KNP proper, also a possibility that he has been inhabiting other zones that haven't recently been traversed by photographers such as, Cheetah Plains where they have been renovating for months, or parts of the large Manyeleti Game Reserve. Unlikely, but still possible.
If there is one thing I hate is a well known animal that resides in heavily traversed areas dying and no one knows anything about it, hopefully he reappears and if he is dead well we will probably never know what happened.
