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The Mighty Mapogos
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The Boss of Mapogos
By gabriel contreras Makhulu the boss! He wasnt always the boss, He started from the bottom. Mak believed to have been born out of the Tsalala pride attached himself to the Sparta and West street males in late 2000 as an 18 month old subadult. He was treated horribly by the sparta lionesses and the west street males also beat him but he stayed submissive and was barely tolerated by the males due to him being fathered by them. Mak had a very tough life as a young lion the smallet cubs even had higher status than he did and would jump all over him and he let them. Mak was very patient and loved his little step brothers (the Mapogos) but Mak eventually grew into the really huge and impressive male and would help the Sparta lionesses hunt big pray and protect his little brothers/sisters so became a very valuable member of the Sparta pride, he also help out his rapidly aging fathers who were under pressure from the much younger and stronger Splitrock males who wanted to push them out their kingdom but Mak was their fathers bodyguard so the Splitrock males were rather cautious and never fully attempted a takeover till the West street males died of disease...... Then Makhulu left along with th e terrible 5 young sparta males and the Sabi sands would never be the same. R.I.P King Mak 1998-2013  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Mr T the Satan the anti hero
By Gabriel Contreras He had many names Mr. T, Mohawk, Short Mane and SaTan never has one male lion created so many headlines. Born last of the infamous litter of the infamous Mapogo brothers Mr. T was always at a disadvantage in his beginning, he was younger, smaller and had some mean big Brothers that pushed him around but the little devil that could had a fire in him that separated him apart from any of his brothers he was relentless, unpredictable, brutal and unforgiving he knew since he was a youngster that he was gonna be king of the Sabi sands. Even with his big Brothers being initially more dominant than him Mr. T would fight them and challenge them in drop of a dime. Eventually he grew into beast many people love or hate Mr. T came into his own and he wasn't gonna share his spoils with his older brothers Mr. T wanted the lions share and only Kinky Tail was his partner in crime! They left the other 4 and left to control their own territory which was more land and prides than Western Mapogos controlled. They attacked anything that crossed their path. They had defeated dominant males but the lionesses did not accept them initially Mlowathi brothers due to their extremely violent ways. They sent the Stompie and eye packing out of the reserved. They sent the Charleston males father's the 3 Toulon males back beaten. The two impressive kruger males that tried to move in on them disappeared after they were attack by 2 Mlowathi males, the Golf course males were also attacked with Mr. T and KT killing one and sending the other packing. They attacked the last Roller Coaster male and Solo constantly. They even attacked their own birth pride the Sparta pride and killed what was believed to be their own mother. Many people wished to see Mr. T taste his own medicine after so many year of ruling the Sabi sands with an iron paw . Like all great kings Mr. T finally fell to the Selatis Males but Mr. T went out the way he came into world fighting till his last breath. T is easily the most infamous lion of the Mapogos he is widely loved and hated for all the destruction that was left in his wake but people bring human emotions into something that came natural to him. In the world of lions Mr. T was everything all male lion strive and wish they could be. R.I.P to meanest Lion Mr. T!  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Styx Pride and Roller Coaster Male Vs Mapogos (Mapogos creating Havoc for other lions)
Credits WildEarth August 2008 It seems the Mapogos found the Styx pride with their 11 cubs on Aug 10th. It was said the 5 male lions didn't pay much attention to the lionesses until they noticed the cubs. They went for the cubs and the Styx girls went into action fighting the males but of course they were no match for 5 big males and had to depart. The Mapogos went in search of the cubs but it was believed they couldn't find any. A couple of days later the latest Styx mother and her two new cubs were still safe in their den area. On the 15th of Aug. the rangers were relieved to see the rest of the pride along with the other 9 cubs so all survived the Mapogo attack. The Styx pride have always been questioned about their Motherly qualities and are usually shown in a bad light when it comes to taking care of their little ones. In their defense… one must reconsider how good of Mothers they truly are. Taking on 5 big males to defend their cubs and grant the little ones time to escape to safety was indeed heroic. On another Aug 2008 encounter between the Styx Pride and the Mapogos the Styx didn’t fare as well. The encounter was with 3 Mapogo males and the adult lionesses had an aggressive fight with them. One cub was caught and slung in the air but managed to survive and take refuge in the nearby rocks. The adult lionesses escaped unhurt except for one lioness that received fairly bad bite marks on her back but she recovered quickly. December 2008 Another heroic attempt to keep their cubs safe was noted on Mala Mala, December 7th sighting. Mala Mala calls it the Battle at Campbell Koppies. Two of the Mapogo Males, Kinky Tail and one they call MoHawk who have been frequenting the Mala Mala area in recent months, moved slowly one morning straight towards where the Styx Pride, the cubs and the old Roller Coaster male were resting. A fight was surely imminent when they spotted each other but instead the pride did nothing and the Mapogos skirted around them and found shade for the day. That afternoon, the Mapogos and the Styx pride were all in the exact same place fast asleep. Things changed in the evening! The Styx pride with their cubs and the old Roller Coaster male in tow, moved straight towards the two Mapogo aka Eyrefiled males. The two Mapogo males sensed the females approaching and rose to meet them. Upon visual contact the Mapogos started roaring and ran at the Styx pride and the Roller Coaster male. All 7 of the lionesses and the old male scattered and retreated to the safety of the Campbell Koppies with their cubs. When the two Mapogo males came near the rocky area, the lionesses burst down from the koppies roaring and headed straight towards the two males. The two males hastily retreated back to the Milowati river. After the lionesses gave chase they returned to their cubs and the Roller Coaster male back towards the koppies. The two Mapogo males took this opportunity to mount another charge aimed at the lionesses roaring all the way. This time the Styx pride retreated to behind the Campbell Koppies and were moving away from the Mapogos. The two males rounding the western koppies ran into a well laid ambush. Five of the lionesses waited for their arrival and again charged the two Mapogos. Again with tucked tails the two ran for the Milowathi River with the girls in hot pursuit. The other two lionesses and the old Roller Coaster male had moved off with the cubs. Not admitting defeat the two Mapogo males again mounted another charge and sent the five lionesses scattering in all directions. Then a contest between the Mapogo males and the old Roller Coaster male erupted. Roaring back and forth with neither admitting defeat. The five lionesses set up a distract the Mapogos strategy which seemed to work well while the cubs were being lead further away to safety by the other two lionesses. Their strategy was to separate in all directions and roar loudly to distract/confuse the two Mapogos. The old Roller Coaster male split quickly as he had no real intentions it seemed to try and impose his dominance on the two Mapogo males. Mar 4th 2009 the Styx Pride and the Roller Coaster male had yet another run in with two Mapogo males. Reports were of 4 Styx lionesses accompanied by 9 cubs and the old Roller Coaster male giving the two Mapogos a severe beating. The Styx lionesses came out of it with minor injuries and the old Roller Coaster male was limping and some new scratches to his nose but apparently nothing serious. The next day, the two Mapogos had apparently met up with another Styx lioness who had made a kill near the Gowrie boundary and joined her for the feast. The Styx Moms proved again they are being serious about protecting their cubs this time around. As shown in this clip from an awesome sighting live on WildEarth.tv on Sept. 2nd, 2008 titled "Styx Pride - Good Moms?". April/May 2009 Update on the Styx Pride: It seems the Old Roller Coaster Male has been ousted by two of the Mapogos known as Kinky Tail and the other one of the Mohawk styled mane Brothers. Five Adult lionesses and their nine cubs fled Mala Mala and have moved into more Northern and Western areas from Mala Mala. They have been frequenting the Djuma Game Reserve area during the last week in April and into the second week of May. The two missing Styx Lionesses were denning in Mala Mala's Campbell Koppies area with two small cubs. One cub is estimated to be 3 months old and the other 2 months old. They are said to be Mapogo cubs. May 10th 2009 update on the Two Mapogos and the Styx Pride: With the bulk of the Styx Pride and cubs still remaining outside of their Mala Mala territory, reports from Mala Mala indicate that Kinky Tail and one of the MoHawk boys are now spending a great deal of time with the two Styx lionesses left behind with the two small cubs around the Campbell Koppies. The two cubs were thought to be one from each lioness as they are noticeably different in size. That theory was put in doubt this past week when the older Styx lioness was seen mating with both Mapogo Males for four consecutive days. She was seen a week or so ago with a severe puncture wound to her skull and badly limping. She was progressing in her recovery but is now sporting another new puncture wound and again limping badly since the aggressive mating sessions. During some of the mating period, the younger lioness and the two small cubs were nearby. Another strange occurrence was when Mala Mala rangers came across another Styx Lioness with two recently born cubs. Barely able to walk, it seemed the lioness was leading them to a new den site. They hoped the little ones would survive the journey. May 17 2009 Two Mapogo Males (Kinky Tail and Mr T) were viewed on Wildearth.tv early in the AM. One Styx Lioness was with them. Strangely, she laid out in the full sun with her head down with Mr T close by guarding her from escaping. Kinky Tail lay further off and it was apparent he had an injury to his front right foot/leg. Tracks seen on one of the roadways, indicated there had been a fight between several males. The tracks of the Styx Pride and their cubs were there also. Later in the AM, radio reports indicated that two presumed members of the Mapogo Coalition were chasing the Manyeleti Male. He was chased all the way to the Northern border of Buffelshoek. After going back to the sighting of the two Mapogos with the Styx Lioness, Mr T had moved off from the lioness to the shade near where his brother lay. The lioness remained in the full sun and looked as if she wanted to be anywhere but there. As Kinky Tail rested, Mr T kept a watchful eye on his prized possession. The Styx girls are known for their cunningness and this lioness proved it once again. She continued her submissive stance until the boys felt comfortable enough to let their guard down and OFF she went leaving the boys in the dust. More May 2009 reports Arathusa reported it was believed the Styx were involved in a fight probably with some of the Mapogos at Arathusa's airstrip. The pride was split up and some members were seen at the airstrip searching for their missing members. The lionesses viewed showed signs of a battle. One lioness had a serious injury to her left shoulder and was not doing too well. On the next sighting, 3 lionesses and 1 cub (including the injured lioness) were on a warthog kill. The next morning they were happy to report that 2 more lionesses and 5 cubs had returned. Thus 5 lionesses and 6 cubs were seen. Three cubs were still missing. Add to the above report, sightings at Djuma and Mala Mala and things are not looking good for the Styx Pride: http://blog.wildearth.tv/2009/06/styx-pride-of-lions.html
Thursday, 10 April 2008 Credits
goes to WildEarth WE hear them ROAR! (The Mighty Mapogos)  *This image is copyright of its original author There are some moments in the bush that constantly thrill and enchant me, surprise and soothe me. The moment when you suddenly see a leopard, the moment you see the first burnt orange and yellow of autumn on the leaves, or have a perfect late summers day and realise only a few are left before winter. And then there are moments that are forever there in your heart, like the skies reflection on a silent waterhole. One of many of these singular, beautiful and powerful moments was a few weeks ago when I got out of the tank close to a lioness. The lioness was dead from a night of violence involving the Mapogo males and some dead cubs. As I walked up to her perfectly still and serene carcass my primal being shouted ‘what if she’s not dead!’ The reflection in her glazed eye showed the harsh truth of pure untamed wild nature. This instantly takes me back to two places, separated by only a short amount of time, back in December. The first one was just after we had seen the first little carcass of a Kuhuma cub lying dead and discarded in the trampled grass. A few minutes later James and I stopped and looked at some yellow thatch grass swaying in what seemed a cold summer’s wind. Reflecting on the start of our morning and wondering about these lions, these strong kings of wild places. The ‘Mapogo’s’……….I’d never seen them before, maybe I would see them today.  *This image is copyright of its original author The grass soothed away our anger at the cub’s death and helped us accept the savage but honest spirit of this land. This brings me to the first moment, as clear now as then, when I saw my first Mapogo male. What a lion! We drove off road for long, not knowing how far the bush would stretch until we saw them. I knew we’d see them. Ephraim, who’d also found the cub, had tracked the violence back to a giraffe carcass, killed a day before by the Kuhuma females. Driving slowly, emotions and excitement were high with the possibility of meeting the current threat and future fathers of the Kuhuma cubs. ‘Lion’, don’t know if I said it or just heard it in my heart or felt it in my stomach. Mapogo! Shaka! Big, beautiful, instantly recognised as one of those we will remember as ‘warrior’, ‘iconic’ or ‘legend’. I saw him looking at me. Then his brother, whom I’ve come to think of as Leonides. These were lions!  *This image is copyright of its original author Now the days are growing shorter, cooler, the nights colder, longer. Winter is waiting close, grass grows brown and brittle, yellow leaves disappear like water in the mud. The impalas will start their rut so that more will be born next summer. Some more lion cubs will pass and new ones will flourish. Before the grass grows green again, before the woodland kingfishers return, before we know it, there will be more little lions born from warriors, born from the Mapogo’s, who to me will always be Spartans when I think of them  *This image is copyright of its original author I leave today, I will miss Djuma, I will miss the lowveld. Just last night, what a memory, finding the lion and lioness in the grass in the dark. Mating Mapogo’s!! Enjoy the wildlife, the moment and WildEarth ... it's in our nature. Written by Pieter Pretorius  *This image is copyright of its original author http://blog.wildearth.tv/2008/04/we-hear-them-roar.html
Eyrefield/Sparta Pride of Lions and Mapogos
Credits goes to WildEarth Eyrefield/Sparta Pride Territory includes Mala Mala, Londolozi and surrounding areas. The Eyrefield/Sparta Pride in 1997/98 consisted of seven to eight lionesses that were taken over by five males known as the West Street/Sparta Males. They took over the pride after killing the Tsalala Pan resident males (may also be known as the Manyeleti Males). Londolozi reported that most of the litters born to the Eyrefield/Sparta pride the first 3 years did not survive. By 2000, the pride consisted of 7 adult lionesses, two approximately 16 month old cubs (1 male, 1 female) and the five aging West Street Males. Of these two cubs, the male was lost sometime during May/June 2000 and the female survives to this day. During this same time, May/June 2000, another sub adult male lion approximately the same age as the missing young male, joined the Eyrefield Pride. Though he was not readily accepted by either the lionesses nor the dominant males, he was tolerated. Today, that same youngster is the dominant male of the infamous Mapogo Coalition. Between 2000 and 2002, approximately 20 cubs were born with only eight that survived. Of these eight, 5 were males who eventually matured and joined the older unrelated Male to form the 6 male coalition known as Eyrefield/Sparta Males or the Mapogos. One of the female cubs is part of the current Eyrefield pride. Some of these surviving cubs were believed to be sired by the Roller Coaster (Rollercoaster)/Shaw Males. It was reported by Mala Mala that the Roller Coaster Males may have sired five cubs that were born in the latter part of 2001 when they lured some of the Eyrefield lionesses away from the aging West Street males. These cubs would include the two youngest of the Mapogo Coalition. By 2006, the Split Rock males still had not fully taken control over the Eyrefield Pride and the 6 Eyrefield/Sparta aka Mapogo Males began to venture away from the pride. During this same time period, two of the Roller Coaster Males began their attempt to take over the pride and one young Eyrefield lioness along with her two cubs went missing. Possibly killed by the Roller Coaster Males. One of the old lionesses died from natural causes/old age. Thus by the end of 2006, the pride now consisted of four adult lionesses and the two Roller Coaster Males. The first cubs sired by the Roller Coaster Males did not survive. January 2009, A dramatic turn of events disrupted their fairly peaceful existence. The Mapogo/Eyrefield Males began moving back into the area of which they were born and the pride they originated from now became their target. April 2009, the old Roller Coaster Male was ousted as the dominant male of both the Eyrefield Pride and the Styx Pride. The prides fled with their cubs in an effort to keep them safe. Apparently the old Roller Coaster Male reunited with the Eyrefield Pride and fled with them into Londolozi and surrounding areas. April 8th 2009, reports were coming in to Mala Mala that a fight was ensuing West of Mala Mala. Two lionesses with six of the cubs fled to safety but the rest of the pride including the young Tsalala Male were under attack by the Mapogos/Eyrefield Males. After this fight, one sub adult cub was missing and presumed dead. Eventually, the rest of the pride was reunited once more. April 28th 2009 Another run in with the Mapogo/Eyrefield Males. Viewed in the AM at Mala Mala were the three lionesses, five sub adult cubs and the old Roller Coaster male. One sub adult male was reported killed in the previous nights attack. Missing was the young Tsalala Male and two of the sub adult cubs. June 12th 2009 Though no specific date was given, the entire Eyrefield Pride was said to be in Ulusaba. Smack in the middle of Mapogo and the Ximungwe Pride's territory. Ulusaba listed the count for the pride as 12 which included one Male lion. Assuming the count was correct, the Roller Coast male and the young Tsalala male should both have been in attendance. The pride was hunting Kudu but without success. At least six of the youngsters decided to take on a Honey Badger but the Honey Badger held it's ground and after emitting a foul odor managed to escape.  (12-30-2016, 11:09 AM)fursan syed Wrote: In the world of lions Mr. T was everything all male lion strive and wish they could be. I get that he feels that way, based on his own bias for Mr.T, but I must disagree with this. If there's a lion that's the model lions want to follow, is someone like Makhulu. I think lions like him are the epitome of what it means to be a lion, possessing both sides of the coin. No just the capability for violence and bloodlust, but also the other part, the tolerance, the caring for the cubs and the ability to rule from the beginning to the end. And this is coming from me, that even liking Mak, I prefer Kinky tail. I think Kinky tail was a good father. But not a good "husband" and also he wasn't a leader.  The End of an Era and a Sad State of Affairs
January 31, 2009
Duncan Rodgers
It is with a very heavy heart that I report to you the demise of the Sand River Pride. Towards the end of last week we were notified that the Sand River Pride had broken out of the Reserve and were out in the Community Area adjacent to the Reserve. The information we were given was they had crossed out at a section of fence that had been washed away by the recent heavy rains. Immediately we had a sense of déjà vu, and remember clearly the shooting of seven member of the Sand River Pride three years ago having also broken out of the Reserve under very similar circumstances. The law states quite clearly that if animals leave the protection of the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, they then become the responsibility and jurisdiction of the Mpumalanga Park Board, who are the local Provincial Authority for the adjacent areas of the Reserve. We fully understand that the protection of the Local Community is our utmost priority and ensuring their safety has to and will always come first, however I do not believe that these Lions were posing a direct threat, a broken fence and the smell of domestic live stock was just too much for them. In the past we have always been given a chance to intervene and utilize all resources available to us, to get the Pride back into the Reserve, and in the rare occasions that the Pride has broken out, there has never been a threat to human beings, albeit the occasional livestock has been taken, for which we have always paid substantial compensation. I am saddened to report to you that no such chance was given on this occasion, and in the same communication we received that the Lions had broken out of the Reserve, we were also informed that the entire Pride, the two adult females and their 5 sub adult offspring had been shot. The news of this tragic event not only infuriated us beyond belief, it has left us saddened to the point of despair, as I for one, have had the privilege and joy, as have so many of you, to witness this beautiful Pride for so many years. There is not too much more I can write, for once words have escaped me, and I have been left with a hollow feeling, as we all have, as I am sure we could have intervened and brought them home, at least we should have been given the chance to try. We are conducting a full investigation at present, we need to ensure that something like this never happens again, but for the Sand River Pride it has become a situation of “closing the stable door after the horse has bolted”. In a heart beat we have lost an entire gene pool of a Pride that should right now, be roaming the bush along the banks of the Sand River. Yes we have other Prides of Lions that frequent our Traversing area, but that is not the point, it is a case of not who’s right, but what’s right. I leave you with some memories of the good times we have spent out in the bush with the “Late” Sand River Females and their offspring. Regards from a very sad Leopard Hills Team Willem Botha
There were not 5 young males but 2 males and 3 females. It was not 2009 but 2008. If the authorities did not shoot them, the Mapogos would have killed them. That is why the females fled out of the reserve in the first place. Mr. T was by far the biggest killer of the mapogo offspring. Thats the way of the wild. Unfortunately they lived in a controlled environment where humans had to exercise control. Yes they did take over the Sabi Sand but howmany people know that the two dominant males were poached just before they moved in. Probably why the stayed there so long before moving north east. Duncan Rodgers Who's lying here? Botha says that the off-springs were 2 males and 3 females. Duncan says that all 5 were males.
I know this photo has been posted at least once, but it's very useful in this context. It seems to me that the 4 subadults are males.  *This image is copyright of its original author
(12-31-2016, 03:22 PM)Georgel Wrote: gijima males are also killed in the same way. their are some problem in those fools heads. why killing is a only option. they can move them in some other reserve. but botha said he is helpless and under pressure by local population. he can resigned if he really care about those creatures not taking smiling pics with their dead carcasses . (12-31-2016, 07:19 PM)fursan syed Wrote: they can move them in some other reserve. It's not that simple, otherwise it would have been done. Moving an entire pride to a different place would creat an imbalance, because that other place would have been occupied by residen prides and resident dominant males who's first thought would have been wiping them out. (12-31-2016, 07:19 PM)fursan syed Wrote: he can resigned if he really care about those creatures not taking smiling pics with their dead carcasses . It's easy to criticize when sitting on our computers. But when you're en employee, you do what you're told. (12-31-2016, 07:30 PM)Majingilane Wrote: It's not that simple, otherwise it would have been done.i dont think moving entire pride in much greater kruger is a problem . also they said repeatedly that in times of mapogos lion population in sabi sands is badly effected. what mapogos doing is natural if they really care about lion population in SS they never choose these options. what they were doing with their guns is the problem in my opinion. the problem is their harsh policy . is moving just 2 gijimas is also a problem. they can move them in greater kruger. also they even dont care about mange disease spreading in sabi sands.
Makhulu's father, leader of the West Street Males. Like his son he patrolled alone quite a lot.
PC Unknown  *This image is copyright of its original author
Saturday, 12 January 2008
Mapogo rampage!!  *This image is copyright of its original author The faint roar of a distant lion could be heard at Gowrie waterhole, just as the sun started to fight through the heavy clouds early this morning. A new chapter in the history of a lion pride was about to unfold ... very violently! The Mapogos were still in the area, and all were fearing for the lives of the Kahuma pride, it's new leader Dozi, his females and their 14 young cubs. The radio in the Final Control crackled as Pieter, with a soft-sad voice, anounced that: "The Mapogos had killed one of the Kahuma Pride's cubs!" One of the four older male cubs have fallen to the the Coallition of six. Pieter was heading north east on Gowrie cutline to show us the horrible scene! A couple of minutes later, just off Gowrie / Buffelshoek cutline, lay the carcass of a proud young male. Bathed in blood and covered with flies ... dead. This beautiful male lion cub fell to the Mapogos' rage, with bites to the throat and skull. Yesterday morning other Djuma game drives found Dozi, not where he was supposed to be, protecting his females and cubs, but on the Buffelshoek boundary mating with one of the Styx lionesses. Now the scent of this lioness in oestrus, must have lured the eager Mapogos closer and closer to Dozi, and the rest of the Kahuma pride, who had managed to bring down a female giraffe the night before, and were busy feeding. Then, picking up the scent of a fresh kill and the Kahuma females, the Mapogos changed direction. On arrival the powerful Mapogos must have run in, scattering our Kahumas in all directions. Then they would have split up to chase the cubs and lionesses. Now they had the giraffe carcass, chased the females away and killed a male cub. WE don't know if there were any other cubs killed, but 'really for sure', with the Mapogos; there is very little chance that any cubs got away!  *This image is copyright of its original author We must wonder. What if Dozi was with the pride, instead of with the Styx lioness? Would this have changed the outcome? Dozi would have most probably also been killed? Can we compare the life of the cub and that of Dozi? Will Dozi be next anyway? In any event Dozi has fled. With his tale between his legs, far into the Manyaleti. The females ran to the north as well, and will try to stay out of this area for as long as possible. Particularly if any cubs are still alive. Pieter edged on towards his first sighting of the Mapogo males at the stolen meal, not far from the young cub carcass at Buffelshoek Gowrie cut line. On arrival, two males were still at the kill. Pieter almost immediately fell in love with the Mapogos' shear beauty and strength (this was the first time he had seen them). Pieter decided that one of them reminded him of Shaka; the legendary King of the Zulus. A fearsome, fearless and magnificent leader of the Zulu nation, many years ago.  *This image is copyright of its original author Later WE found one of the other Mapogos slowly heading towards his brothers at the kill, and occasionally scent marking on his way ... Djuma is Mapogo territory now. This one on his own is known as "Mr T". A lean, mean, fighting machine. A bulk of pure muscle. He received his name from the old TV series: "The A-Team". One of the characters; "Mr T", had a Mohawk haircut. Just like this impressive lion appears to have. It is hard to see anything positive in this morning's tragedy, but this is Nature. This is the way of lions with strong genes. One day this great Mapogo bloodline will run through the veins of many lions in the Sabi Sands. One day we will learn to love and, hopefully, understand this coalition of powerful brothers. For what they do, is only natural. The law of Nature will prevail. Only the fittest will survive. Not long from now a great dynasty of lions will be born all over the Sabi Sands. Led and protected by an awesome coalition. Let this thought help us all to accept the loss of the Kahuma cub and many others.  *This image is copyright of its original author This afternoon's drive promises to be very interesting when Pieter goes back to the giraffe carcass, and the area around, to see who else WE can find in this unfolding drama ... see you there! Written by Jan Harm Robbertse
Tuesday, 2 September 2008
Styx and Mapogos  *This image is copyright of its original author What a day so far, Texan and Rexon this morning with a whole lot of lions!! Mapogos, Kuhumas and Styx females. . .and some cubs! I just heard and saw from the big smiles back at camp this morning. It has been months since WE saw any, of these lions. I went back around noon to see them, I do love lions, and have missed seeing them. I went with Piet, and hoped to see and photograph some lions, most likely just lion around as they tend to do. WE were in luck, shortly after arriving on the scene, one of the two lionesses we were sitting with, noticed something behind us! It was three more lionesses, bringing in the cubs!! How lucky!  *This image is copyright of its original author The Styx pride, hardly seen by us before, and with cubs. . .it got better, they proceeded towards the kill, towards where the Mapogos most likely were. WE followed. What next? Were the Kuhumas still around? Would a Mapogo erupt violently from the thick winter bush? There was a sudden growl, and a big male lion! I think it looked like Leonides, at least from what I could see through the sticks and brown, brittle grass.  *This image is copyright of its original author There were no Kuhumas around, I think they want to stay well clear of what is going on around that buffalo carcass. It was great to see the Styx females, and also the throng of cubs. Piet counted nine in total. It was great to see how the cubs and females, on tip toe and with careful paws, approached the Mapogos. There were outbursts of growls and lions darting away, but I think it is safe to say: "these young cubs I saw today, have Mapogo blood in their veins, and I think they are here to stay!" WE will see more, share more, maybe gasp more . . . but most of all, WE will appreciate again, why it is called a 'PRIDE' of lions, and why they are the king of the beasts. WE find lions fascinating, it is not a choice, it is a primal response. Lions still stir something deep inside us, it is in our nature. Live the moment, it is real and WE are aLIVE. Pieter Pretorius
Saturday, 8 March 2008
Look in to my eyes and you will see...  *This image is copyright of its original author And I'm not referring to the Canadian singer Bryan Adams’ song. No this time it’s a different pair of eyes you’re looking into: the eyes of the notorious Mapogo male lions. Thick fog and mist made visibility rather difficult on this early morning. The radio cracked out something and we found ourselves heading west- fast! Pieter wasn’t telling us what was going on, nor what we were going too see ... and kept us on the rims of our seats, holding on to the tank as WE flew through the bush! A coalition of five lions had killed a buffalo on a neighbouring farm and had just left the kill to the scavengers. Full-bellied, and with an almost staggering walk, they headed onto Djuma! On arriving close to the sighting, Efraim was already on the lock. We had to wait for a couple of minutes to get a view of the ghosts of Pieter's imagination, who were supposedly 100-odd meters away. When Efraim finally gave Pieter the go ahead to pull into the lock and the fog cleared up before my eyes, I was amazed about where we actually were. And there they were - Mr T and Shaka - or WE thought it was ... appearing like ghosts out of the darkness - one of the best sightings we have ever seen was unfolding right in front of our eyes. WE enjoyed the scary company of the two Mapogo male lions - when another one came from the north. With a quick face rub he fell down and lay still next to his brothers. After some confusion - Pieter realised that there were more lions not too far away. The Djuma vehicles had all gone off, so there were other lions in the area. WE tracked along through the clearing mist and only then a couple of hundred meters ahead, two other males were also relaxing in the road. Eventually WE had visual of all five Mapogos, on the road, lying down, really looking great. They are truly big, huge, humongous. Pieter’s description of them as being Spartan warriors is quite accurate. After the game drive ended, I took Sue and Nontlantlha, to go and see the Mapogos for the first time. Using the bubbaloo (which is much smaller than the tank), Pieter guided us in with me driving - "Jan turn off the road, and watch that space ..." the handheld croaked. With hearts beating at a seriously fast pace, a ghostly shape approached us edging closer and closer- slow but focused. With him passing less than a meter from the tiny babbaloo - poor Nonthanthla and Sue moved further away from the lion and on to my lap. The next followed, and one by one they all passed. Looking into their eyes - it’s something I can’t explain - I really just can’t! There is something about these lions, some thing that pushes me away, and makes us all want to run so fast at the sound of their roar, but once WE are with them, you are hypnotised by their immense power, grace and the secrets in their eyes ... (Written by Jan Harm Robbertse) http://blog.wildearth.tv/2008/03/look-in-to-my-eyes-and-you-will-see.html
This is related to the post #748.
Willem Botha
"Unfortunately they lived in a controlled environment where humans had to exercise control. Yes they did take over the Sabi Sand but how many people know that the two dominant males were poached just before they moved in. Probably why the stayed there so long before moving north east." Can someone figure out to which "two dominant males" Botha refers? Botha's comment here: https://www.facebook.com/144283926935088...581716685/ |
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