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.
05-28-2015, 01:49 AM( This post was last modified: 05-28-2015, 01:54 AM by Tshokwane )
Hairy belly and Ginger Matimba today in the am wildearth drive.
If you have the time guys, watch it. The presenter takes the time to talk a lot about lions, to explain very specific things, for example the flehmen response and, also how to discern the age of the males. Also, at one point, Belly hair walks next to the vehicle while he and his brother search for the Styx lionesses... They are amazing males.
Fantastic video and thank you so much for sharing @Majingilane those guys are just enormous, looks even bigger than the mapogos and much bigger than the majingilane males. Belly hair is such a wonderful looking male.
The Matimba male was located mating with the Styx female this morning. It will be interesting to see whether she conceives, and which other males she might seek out in order to mate with. Photos by Andrew Khosa
05-28-2015, 04:23 AM( This post was last modified: 05-28-2015, 04:26 AM by Pantherinae )
Two Matimbas and one Styx female feeding on a Male Kudu they killed.
The Matimbas are feasting on a kudu kill on a property adjacent to Cheetah Plains. The one Styx female was also in attendance previously, but wasnt seen next morning! These males seem to be settling in the Southern region of the Northern Sands, which will be great! Photos by Ephraim Khoza
As shared by Cedric, Ranger at Nkorho - 1st August 2011
Morning
- Our drive was all about the Majingilane's vs Matimba lions. It all started out with 4 x Matimba'a (male lions) calling from the south of baboon pan. Then all of a sudden we got four of them moving across gowrie main in a northerly direction. We parked on gowrie main wishing that they would come south again. Then suddenly we got lions calling just south of baboon pan, i waited and then got visual of three male lions coming north. It was the Majingilane's busy calling claiming there territory. The four Matimba's did not back down and started calling from the north and came south again face on with the Majingilanes. The Matimba males ran across gowrie main again and headed towards baboon pan where the Majingilane's were, but the Majingilane's tucked there tail under them a started to run south with the Matimba males right on there heels. The vocalisation was immense as they were all calling trying to claim the territory. We just waited on gowrie main, and it was not long before we got the Matimba males running north again with the Majingilanes hot on there tail's. This happened several times, it was like a ping pong battle. The Matimba males moved further north but still calling like crazy and the Majingilanes settled just south of baboon pan. Tired from the mornings affairs. With all that commotion this morning I'm sure the other Majingilane will be joining his brothers and the other two Matimba males will be joining there brothers. Maybe tonight will be interesting. Watch this space.
Regards
Cedric (Nkorho ranger)
05-28-2015, 05:00 AM( This post was last modified: 05-28-2015, 05:02 AM by Pantherinae )
Matimbas vs Crocodile
Early one morning we followed up on the seemingly never-ending tracks of two male lions. The morning was fresh and the sun was just making an appearance from above the trees.
It was not long before we located the two Matimba male lions resting at a waterhole. On closer inspection, we realised that there was a crocodile in the water and that it had dragged a Kudu bull into the shallow depths.
The two male lions were just watching and waiting in anticipation, hoping to steal the kill. Clearly the one male lion could stand the suspense no longer, as he decided to take a swim (highly uncharacteristic behaviour for cats) and tried to drag the kill out of the water.
Although the lion struggled to get any leverage and ended up abandoning his effort, we were so privileged to witness such an extraordinary sighting!
