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The Mighty Mapogos

Romania Georgel Away
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( This post was last modified: 01-12-2017, 03:08 PM by Georgel )

The above 2010 Mala Mala reports about the Mlowathis can be found here:
http://web.archive.org/web/2014031020051...omales.htm

As one can see they deleted the reports from 2009. Some of them are still available on facebook pages like this one: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?s...6045492261 (and now here):

By the Mala Mala archives:

September 2009

2 Mlowathi Males (aged 7 years 10 months): (5 sightings)

Having been renamed these two brothers showed little interest in Mala Mala during this month. They would typically spend several days patrolling their territory before moving west again. Perhaps not being able to find the bulk of the Styx pride has taken its toll and they are fed up of chasing them around the countryside. One male was seen a couple of times with the single Styx lioness and her two cubs when she had a kudu kill, other than that it has been a poor month for the males.

October 2009

2 Mlowathi Males (aged 7 years 11 months): (23 sightings)

The most sighting ever of these two males, they are in complete control of the northern third of Mala Mala. The males started off with a bang when we found them with a big buffalo bull carcass at the beginning of the month. The males introduced us to the new cubs of the Marthly pride when one morning that pride was found at the buffalo kill. This month was also a month for mating as both males were seen mating with the two Styx females, first as always was the male with the Mohawk mane but his brother also got in on the action. For the rest of the month the two males stayed with the two Styx females probably more scared than anything else that if they left them the females might try run away. One night while watching the foursome hunting the females managed to bring down a sub adult wildebeest, the males immediately confiscated the carcass but all of a sudden two big unidentified male lions showed up at the kill site. Initially the two Mlowathi males were a little hesitant but the Mohawk male true to his brutal nature didn’t take long to click and off he chased the intruders. The kinky tailed male soon followed and all four male lion disappeared into the darkness. The two Styx females in the mean time went back to the kill and finished the whole thing off in peace.

November and December 2009

2 Mlowathi Males (8 years): (16 sightings)

The brothers spent much of their time with the two separated Styx females, they moved between northern side Campbell Koppies and Mlowathi dam. At the beginning of the month they were both found with the Marthly pride at Matumi rocks and during the month the kinky tailed male was with the Marthly pride when they attacked and killed a young hippo calf at Mlowathi dam. Another incredible sighting of these two males was when they came across the large herd of buffalo drinking at west street bridge in the early afternoon. Show their disregard for life and utter dominance of the area the two males stalked and attacked the herd mid afternoon. The mohawk male as always in matters of blood led the way, he ran in on the herd in the reeds several times. The herd finally broke from cover and ran out across the sand banks trying to get to the harder ground on the eastern bank, as the herd stampeded the mohawk male was seen amongst the dust and churning hooves chasing after a calf, he brought down the calf and started suffocating it. The mother of the calf turned to try and protect her young but she obviously hadn’t encountered the Mohawk male before. In a stunning leap of power and strength he leapt off the calf and onto the back of the mother who came crashing to the ground with the impact of the collision. Fortunately for mother and calf there were enough buffalo bulls in the area and they turned on the lion who wisely released his prey. During the whole ordeal the kinky tailed male slept only to wake when he saw his brother emerge from the dust storm with out lunch.
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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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(01-12-2017, 03:19 PM)Georgel Wrote: Now I propose the Mapogos fans to try answer two questions:

1. Which one was the first territory they conquered, and which coalition defeated first?

2. When exactly (year, month) the Mlowathis separated from their brothers claiming the dominance on the eastern sector of Sabi Sand?

Any documents supporting your opinions are welcome.

Nhlanguleni male lion seems to be the first defeated by the mapogos on the take over on othawa pride in early 2006. . 
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Romania Georgel Away
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( This post was last modified: 01-13-2017, 01:49 AM by Georgel )

The Mapogos are back in town.
Tuesday, 8 January 2008

The Mapogos tend to spend most of their time in the southern parts of the Sabi Sands and enter Djuma from Chitwa or Hoffmans, crossing Cheetah cut line on to central road, then they pass around Gowrie waterhole area- and take Vuytela access road to Gowrie gate and cross into Simbambilli in the west and head back south from there. They are currently mating with one of the styx pride females. It is said that there are now 6 males in the Mapogo coalition ... again, that is true, but there is some speculation on who this other male might be. Some say that he is the brother who got killed by that croc in Mala Mala, other say he was a nomadic male who came from a different pride. All the guides in the area, are getting worried because the Mapogos are causing mayhem where ever they go! They have driven other lions out of the park and these lions have now started hunting cattle in the rural areas.

There are many stories of the Mapogos killing, attacking and taking over. These two videos were taken by Andre de Kock on his cell phone last winter at Arathusa of the Mapogos attacking the Tsalala pride and killing their cubs.

As many of you know our very own Kahuma pride were attacked and Blondie (one of the two male lions in control of the pride) was killed. The Kahumas fled into Manyaleti to the north with their 14 cubs and under the leadership of Dozie. This morning it was reported that their was an 'interaction' between some of the Kahuma females and the Mapogos on Djuma's northern border. Nobody was hurt, but clearly the Mapogos wish to mate with the Kahuma lionesses (along with every other lioness in the Sands), but because their cubs are still alive they are not receptive. It would appear that the Mapogos are not interested in travelling further north into the Manyaleti ... so for the moment the Kahuma cubs are safe, WE just don't get to see them.

There is little that can be done about these thugs. It has always been policy not to get involved in the natural progression of these things. However, there is now a lot of talk all over the Sands. Some have spoken of moving some of the Mapogos to another reserve or even shooting some of them. Everyone is angry, but decisions like this are highly unlikely and could only be taken by officials at the Kruger National Park, but it certainly shows the emotions these 6 big lions are bringing out.

http://blog.wildearth.tv/2008/01/mapogos...-town.html

Kinky Tail

*This image is copyright of its original author
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( This post was last modified: 01-13-2017, 01:56 AM by Georgel )

The Mapogo's encounter - Sue's version
Sunday, 23 March 2008


*This image is copyright of its original author
So I’m fast asleep. I directed the drive last night, and well, I think I deserve a lie-in. Pieter, very gingerly knocks on my door at 4.45am. Rexon has had to deal with an emergency in the village, and I’m the only one left to direct. How can I refuse?
Just as I turn up, so does Rexon. Fantastic. I can hear my duvet calling.
It felt like about 1 second after I had fallen into the most beautiful sleep ever – yes,another knock on my door.
A rather dishevelled Jan arrives saying something about lions. Maybe I’m still asleep? Then there’s Jan and Nonhlahla at the gate with the bubaloo. Definitely a dream.
Fortunately, and this is very important, I remember my manners, even if it is a dream, and I take the really uncomfortable seat in the middle, between Jan the driver/guide, and Nonhlanhla, on the outside edge. And off we go.
Jan is in radio contact with someone. I can just about make out that Pieter is on the other end. This is getting stranger and stranger. After a short and quite bumpy ride we come to a bend in the road, with a few scrubby trees on either side. I am worried that my unshowered self might be causing my close companions some problems, but the atmosphere is so tense, I don’t want to say anything. Anyway, the bub is a very, very open vehicle, so hopefully that fresh air will disguise my lack of soap this morning.
Jan tells us both to keep quiet and not make any large movements. I am pinned to my seat, and still half asleep, so no problem there.
Then I hear a sneeze. The air is now electric with anticipation. That was a big sneeze, a lion sneeze.
Unbelievably, a huge male lion appears in front of us. Plodding along the road, without a care in the world, and weighing in at about 200kilos He’s not stopping. He’s coming straight at us, in our extremely open bubbaloo.
I feel Nonhlahla start to shake, or it could be me reverberating off Nonhlahla. I remember thanking my lucky stars that I’m in the middle, and that he’s going to eat either Nonhlahla or Jan first because I’m in the middle.
Then the sheer adrenalin kicks in. I am unbelievably thrilled and excited to see this guy. A real live lion now inches from the vehicle, and Nonhlanhla. I feel compelled to look into his eyes. You are so right about that, Jan. I manage to look the lion straight in the eye for about one second until blind terror takes over and he stares me out. He’s now passing us really close by. Yes, I may have shifted a few centimetres towards Jan, and away from the big guy.
I remember thinking that he’s a really strange colour. Not what I would have expected at all. He’s a sort of greenish grey, with a bit of brown thrown in. He has the most unearthly shining huge yellowy eyes. Then the other four turn up and silently, carefully tread the same path as their leader. They all glance at us, in a really disconcerting way. Like they’re thinking: “ which one shall I munch first? “ At one point I realise we are surrounded by four of the most threatening and dangerous lads in the area. They pad off.
It turns out that Piet, Rexon and Jan’s skills have guided us to this spot, and that Piet and Rexon are filming from the vehicle ahead of us. Those pictures tell their own story, and thanks to the guys for giving me one of the highlights of my life. Who needs sleep, anyway? I’ve heard a lion sneeze.

http://blog.wildearth.tv/2008_03_01_archive.html
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United States tigerluver Offline
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As long as the source link is given, no further info will be required. Sound like a fair resolution?
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Romania Georgel Away
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( This post was last modified: 01-13-2017, 02:28 AM by Georgel )

Look in to my eyes and you will see...
Saturday, 8 March 2008


*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 neighboring 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...l-see.html
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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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(01-13-2017, 02:26 AM)Georgel Wrote:
Look in to my eyes and you will see...
Saturday, 8 March 2008


*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 neighboring 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...l-see.html
I posted all this before. @"Majingilane" these are reposts.
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( This post was last modified: 01-13-2017, 02:49 AM by Georgel )

The story behind the Mapogo males.
Saturday, 27 October 2007


*This image is copyright of its original author
With dark grey clouds hovering above the Sabi Sands in Djuma, I bring to you the history of six of the most notorious male lions in our area ... the Mapogo Males. Nobody in the area really knows how many there actually are, but I've asked around and have tried to put together the pieces of a vague puzzle. During my quest I've uncovered some rather interesting and exciting facts about our dark pride of six.
The Mapogo Males originated from a game reserve called Ulusaba, to the South of Djuma, bordering the reserves of Inyati and Singita. Little is known of their mother, but they are six brothers, all about 7 years old. A Couple of days ago 4 male lions were spotted on AfriCam's Nkohro Cam. A reliable source confirmed my suspicion that it was them. But what about the other two? This is where it gets interesting. One of the two missing pride members is thought to be somewhere in the west close to Elephant Plains and Simbambili, but I am not exactly certain. However, the whereabouts' of the sixth member I am sure of. Aparantly, two weeks ago the Mapogo Males were drinking from the Sand river in Londolozi Game Reserve when a crocodile attacked and killed one of them at the waters edge. This is a rather rare occurrence, but it does happen and it did happen to one of or Mapogo's. So we are down to 5 males, maybe 4.

The Mapogo's are frequently seen in neighboring farms Londolozi, Mala Mala and of course here in Djuma. On 26 October 2007 the 4 remaining males tried to kill a buffalo on Quarantine ( just a stones throw from here). Unfortunately they were unsuccessful and headed east into Torchwood, which is outside of our traversing area.
Another interesting fact about these magnificent male lions is that they are rather choosy hunters. They are well known for hunting young white (or square lipped) rhino calves, there have been a few recorded sightings where this occurred. How they actually do this I cant say, but what an amazing, sad and horrifying thing to see. Only a couple of weeks ago, they killed a rhino and a giraffe in one day!!!
These Mapogo's are definitely the bunch to look out for, since their first appearance in the Djuma area almost a year ago, they have brought us amazing sightings and have been the source of many conversations and questions, which WE appreciate. I hope I have shed some light on the history and wonderful lives of these mysterious Mapogo's.


WE want to keep you up to date on the murder mystery of the impala carcass, so we have been talking to some of the rangers around Djuma. They have said that it must have been killed by a leopard called Jordaan. WE don't know much about this leopard yet, all that WE know from our not so frequent sightings of him is that he is very skittish and that he likes to remain unseen, and stays hidden in the neighbouring reserve Buffelshoek. Only seldom popping over to our side to hunt or to find a mate or mark his territory.
The reason why the rangers blame it on him is because of scratch and claw marks on the impala's rump area and also puncture marks on its neck. Also, this is not the first time that Jordaan has done this. Charles, a ranger at Djuma, said he has done this several times before. He makes a kill and as soon as he hears a vehicle he dashes off to hide away close by and maybe come back later when its dark.
The rangers who investigated the scene of the crime, couldn't find any tracks because the rain washed everything away. When Pieter and Rob returned they found two black backed jackals scavenging the carcass. Pieter thought that they may have a den close by, and possibly some pups!!! He was right; they do have a den which is close to the Kruger gate and is unfortunately outside of our traversing area. Apparently they have two tiny pups only a couple of weeks old. WE are looking forward to seeing a family of four Blacked Backed Jackals moving around the area.


Written by Jan Harm Robbertse.

http://blog.wildearth.tv/2007/10/story-b...males.html
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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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(01-13-2017, 02:45 AM)Georgel Wrote:


*This image is copyright of its original author
With dark grey clouds hovering above the Sabi Sands in Djuma, I bring to you the history of six of the most notorious male lions in our area ... the Mapogo Males. Nobody in the area really knows how many there actually are, but I've asked around and have tried to put together the pieces of a vague puzzle. During my quest I've uncovered some rather interesting and exciting facts about our dark pride of six.
The Mapogo Males originated from a game reserve called Ulusaba, to the South of Djuma, bordering the reserves of Inyati and Singita. Little is known of their mother, but they are six brothers, all about 7 years old. A Couple of days ago 4 male lions were spotted on AfriCam's Nkohro Cam. A reliable source confirmed my suspicion that it was them. But what about the other two? This is where it gets interesting. One of the two missing pride members is thought to be somewhere in the west close to Elephant Plains and Simbambili, but I am not exactly certain. However, the whereabouts' of the sixth member I am sure of. Aparantly, two weeks ago the Mapogo Males were drinking from the Sand river in Londolozi Game Reserve when a crocodile attacked and killed one of them at the waters edge. This is a rather rare occurrence, but it does happen and it did happen to one of or Mapogo's. So we are down to 5 males, maybe 4.

The Mapogo's are frequently seen in neighboring farms Londolozi, Mala Mala and of course here in Djuma. On 26 October 2007 the 4 remaining males tried to kill a buffalo on Quarantine ( just a stones throw from here). Unfortunately they were unsuccessful and headed east into Torchwood, which is outside of our traversing area.
Another interesting fact about these magnificent male lions is that they are rather choosy hunters. They are well known for hunting young white (or square lipped) rhino calves, there have been a few recorded sightings where this occurred. How they actually do this I cant say, but what an amazing, sad and horrifying thing to see. Only a couple of weeks ago, they killed a rhino and a giraffe in one day!!!
These Mapogo's are definitely the bunch to look out for, since their first appearance in the Djuma area almost a year ago, they have brought us amazing sightings and have been the source of many conversations and questions, which WE appreciate. I hope I have shed some light on the history and wonderful lives of these mysterious Mapogo's.


WE want to keep you up to date on the murder mystery of the impala carcass, so we have been talking to some of the rangers around Djuma. They have said that it must have been killed by a leopard called Jordaan. WE don't know much about this leopard yet, all that WE know from our not so frequent sightings of him is that he is very skittish and that he likes to remain unseen, and stays hidden in the neighbouring reserve Buffelshoek. Only seldom popping over to our side to hunt or to find a mate or mark his territory.
The reason why the rangers blame it on him is because of scratch and claw marks on the impala's rump area and also puncture marks on its neck. Also, this is not the first time that Jordaan has done this. Charles, a ranger at Djuma, said he has done this several times before. He makes a kill and as soon as he hears a vehicle he dashes off to hide away close by and maybe come back later when its dark.
The rangers who investigated the scene of the crime, couldn't find any tracks because the rain washed everything away. When Pieter and Rob returned they found two black backed jackals scavenging the carcass. Pieter thought that they may have a den close by, and possibly some pups!!! He was right; they do have a den which is close to the Kruger gate and is unfortunately outside of our traversing area. Apparently they have two tiny pups only a couple of weeks old. WE are looking forward to seeing a family of four Blacked Backed Jackals moving around the area.


Written by Jan Harm Robbertse.

@"Majingilane"  this is also a repost. I already posted it. Whats the reason of posting same articles again and again. Is this allowed ?
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( This post was last modified: 01-13-2017, 02:55 AM by Georgel )

Nightmare on the 8th
Tuesday, 11 December 2007


*This image is copyright of its original author

The sun has set on yet another day here in the Sabi Sands. Nightfall in the bush awakes a predator. An illusive leopard hunts with caution, planning every step as he silently moves through the darkness towards his prey… but this story is not about a stalking leopard. It is a story of one of our well-known lions, the dominant male of the Kahuma Pride, Blondie, who has tragically fallen to the brutal, destructive and terrifying coalition of five male lions, known as the “Mapogo Males”.
Last night, as darkness settled over the bush, the horrifying sound of fighting lions was heard to the south of Djuma somewhere across one of our borders. The Rangers knew immediately that the Mapogo Males were a part of it because they had been spotted close to Cheetah Cut-line a couple of days ago. True to their name, which means, “bandits”, they were once again on the path of destruction.
During the day, the two Kahuma males were seen with one of the Sticks females. Blondie was mating with her when the Mapogo Males came across them. Sadly, the instinct to eliminate all competition prevailed and Blondie stood little chance against the five “bandits”. The younger male, Dozie, joined the struggle for a while but fled together with the female towards Buffelshoek, when he realized his big brother had fallen. Our hearts grew heavy as we heard the reports coming in over the radio. Blondie was paralyzed. His only chance of survival would have been retreat. His fate was now sealed.
The Sticks female escaped unharmed and is now, surprisingly, with the Mapogo Males, who will mate with her to ensure the survival of their genes. The only remaining Kahuma male, Dozie, was seen in Buffelshoek this morning with one of the Kahuma females. Dozie must now rise and take his place as the new dominant male of the Kahuma Pride. Some of the females have cubs and the Mapogo Males will want to kill them too, so Dozie’s responsibilities are great. He is now the only one that can ensure the survival of the Kahuma Pride.
As far as we know the Kahuma Pride now consists of one male, Dozie, nine females and thirteen cubs. All of us here at Wild Earth are hoping that Dozie will succeed in his task of protecting the Kahuma Pride and that, in time the cubs will grow up to be a part of this very special group that we have come to know and love.
The sun has set on yet another magnificent male lion’s life here in the Sabi Sands but I am sure, that whenever we see a buried lion track on the roads he used to walk on, we will think of him and remember him dearly.

http://blog.wildearth.tv/2007/12/sun-has...re-in.html
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( This post was last modified: 01-13-2017, 02:59 AM by Georgel )

(01-13-2017, 02:48 AM)fursan syed Wrote:
(01-13-2017, 02:45 AM)Georgel Wrote:


*This image is copyright of its original author
With dark grey clouds hovering above the Sabi Sands in Djuma, I bring to you the history of six of the most notorious male lions in our area ... the Mapogo Males. Nobody in the area really knows how many there actually are, but I've asked around and have tried to put together the pieces of a vague puzzle. During my quest I've uncovered some rather interesting and exciting facts about our dark pride of six.
The Mapogo Males originated from a game reserve called Ulusaba, to the South of Djuma, bordering the reserves of Inyati and Singita. Little is known of their mother, but they are six brothers, all about 7 years old. A Couple of days ago 4 male lions were spotted on AfriCam's Nkohro Cam. A reliable source confirmed my suspicion that it was them. But what about the other two? This is where it gets interesting. One of the two missing pride members is thought to be somewhere in the west close to Elephant Plains and Simbambili, but I am not exactly certain. However, the whereabouts' of the sixth member I am sure of. Aparantly, two weeks ago the Mapogo Males were drinking from the Sand river in Londolozi Game Reserve when a crocodile attacked and killed one of them at the waters edge. This is a rather rare occurrence, but it does happen and it did happen to one of or Mapogo's. So we are down to 5 males, maybe 4.

The Mapogo's are frequently seen in neighboring farms Londolozi, Mala Mala and of course here in Djuma. On 26 October 2007 the 4 remaining males tried to kill a buffalo on Quarantine ( just a stones throw from here). Unfortunately they were unsuccessful and headed east into Torchwood, which is outside of our traversing area.
Another interesting fact about these magnificent male lions is that they are rather choosy hunters. They are well known for hunting young white (or square lipped) rhino calves, there have been a few recorded sightings where this occurred. How they actually do this I cant say, but what an amazing, sad and horrifying thing to see. Only a couple of weeks ago, they killed a rhino and a giraffe in one day!!!
These Mapogo's are definitely the bunch to look out for, since their first appearance in the Djuma area almost a year ago, they have brought us amazing sightings and have been the source of many conversations and questions, which WE appreciate. I hope I have shed some light on the history and wonderful lives of these mysterious Mapogo's.


WE want to keep you up to date on the murder mystery of the impala carcass, so we have been talking to some of the rangers around Djuma. They have said that it must have been killed by a leopard called Jordaan. WE don't know much about this leopard yet, all that WE know from our not so frequent sightings of him is that he is very skittish and that he likes to remain unseen, and stays hidden in the neighbouring reserve Buffelshoek. Only seldom popping over to our side to hunt or to find a mate or mark his territory.
The reason why the rangers blame it on him is because of scratch and claw marks on the impala's rump area and also puncture marks on its neck. Also, this is not the first time that Jordaan has done this. Charles, a ranger at Djuma, said he has done this several times before. He makes a kill and as soon as he hears a vehicle he dashes off to hide away close by and maybe come back later when its dark.
The rangers who investigated the scene of the crime, couldn't find any tracks because the rain washed everything away. When Pieter and Rob returned they found two black backed jackals scavenging the carcass. Pieter thought that they may have a den close by, and possibly some pups!!! He was right; they do have a den which is close to the Kruger gate and is unfortunately outside of our traversing area. Apparently they have two tiny pups only a couple of weeks old. WE are looking forward to seeing a family of four Blacked Backed Jackals moving around the area.


Written by Jan Harm Robbertse.

@"Majingilane"  this is also a repost. I already posted it. Whats the reason of posting same articles again and again. Is this allowed ?

Your posts are truncated, and gave no credit to the original sources, leaving the impression that you possessed some hidden documents to whom only the initiated ones could have access.
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Romania Georgel Away
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( This post was last modified: 01-13-2017, 03:02 AM by Georgel )

WE hear them ROAR!
Thursday, 10 April 2008

*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
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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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(01-13-2017, 02:58 AM)Georgel Wrote:
(01-13-2017, 02:48 AM)fursan syed Wrote:
(01-13-2017, 02:45 AM)Georgel Wrote:


*This image is copyright of its original author
With dark grey clouds hovering above the Sabi Sands in Djuma, I bring to you the history of six of the most notorious male lions in our area ... the Mapogo Males. Nobody in the area really knows how many there actually are, but I've asked around and have tried to put together the pieces of a vague puzzle. During my quest I've uncovered some rather interesting and exciting facts about our dark pride of six.
The Mapogo Males originated from a game reserve called Ulusaba, to the South of Djuma, bordering the reserves of Inyati and Singita. Little is known of their mother, but they are six brothers, all about 7 years old. A Couple of days ago 4 male lions were spotted on AfriCam's Nkohro Cam. A reliable source confirmed my suspicion that it was them. But what about the other two? This is where it gets interesting. One of the two missing pride members is thought to be somewhere in the west close to Elephant Plains and Simbambili, but I am not exactly certain. However, the whereabouts' of the sixth member I am sure of. Aparantly, two weeks ago the Mapogo Males were drinking from the Sand river in Londolozi Game Reserve when a crocodile attacked and killed one of them at the waters edge. This is a rather rare occurrence, but it does happen and it did happen to one of or Mapogo's. So we are down to 5 males, maybe 4.

The Mapogo's are frequently seen in neighboring farms Londolozi, Mala Mala and of course here in Djuma. On 26 October 2007 the 4 remaining males tried to kill a buffalo on Quarantine ( just a stones throw from here). Unfortunately they were unsuccessful and headed east into Torchwood, which is outside of our traversing area.
Another interesting fact about these magnificent male lions is that they are rather choosy hunters. They are well known for hunting young white (or square lipped) rhino calves, there have been a few recorded sightings where this occurred. How they actually do this I cant say, but what an amazing, sad and horrifying thing to see. Only a couple of weeks ago, they killed a rhino and a giraffe in one day!!!
These Mapogo's are definitely the bunch to look out for, since their first appearance in the Djuma area almost a year ago, they have brought us amazing sightings and have been the source of many conversations and questions, which WE appreciate. I hope I have shed some light on the history and wonderful lives of these mysterious Mapogo's.


WE want to keep you up to date on the murder mystery of the impala carcass, so we have been talking to some of the rangers around Djuma. They have said that it must have been killed by a leopard called Jordaan. WE don't know much about this leopard yet, all that WE know from our not so frequent sightings of him is that he is very skittish and that he likes to remain unseen, and stays hidden in the neighbouring reserve Buffelshoek. Only seldom popping over to our side to hunt or to find a mate or mark his territory.
The reason why the rangers blame it on him is because of scratch and claw marks on the impala's rump area and also puncture marks on its neck. Also, this is not the first time that Jordaan has done this. Charles, a ranger at Djuma, said he has done this several times before. He makes a kill and as soon as he hears a vehicle he dashes off to hide away close by and maybe come back later when its dark.
The rangers who investigated the scene of the crime, couldn't find any tracks because the rain washed everything away. When Pieter and Rob returned they found two black backed jackals scavenging the carcass. Pieter thought that they may have a den close by, and possibly some pups!!! He was right; they do have a den which is close to the Kruger gate and is unfortunately outside of our traversing area. Apparently they have two tiny pups only a couple of weeks old. WE are looking forward to seeing a family of four Blacked Backed Jackals moving around the area.


Written by Jan Harm Robbertse.

@"Majingilane"  this is also a repost. I already posted it. Whats the reason of posting same articles again and again. Is this allowed ?

Your posts are truncated, and gave no credit to the original sources, leaving the impression that you possessed some hidden documents to whom only the initiated ones could have access.

@Georgel Wild earth is written on all of them .also the name of writer.  Do some new posts. Dont repeat posts which are already posted.
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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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(01-13-2017, 03:01 AM)Georgel Wrote:
WE hear them ROAR!
Thursday, 10 April 2008

*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

Again a repost. Already posted by me.
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Romania Georgel Away
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( This post was last modified: 01-13-2017, 04:26 AM by Georgel )

The Khuma Pride of Lions
Friday, 9 May 2008


*This image is copyright of its original author
I was asked if I would write a post for the WEBlog about what I know of the Khuma Pride of lions from the Djuma Game Reserve. These lions are not well documented and information about them before 2006 - well, I couldn't find any. I only got to see little snippets of the pride... teasers. I was one of the people who truly had a hard time getting a connection. I saw them in little 5 to 10 minute segments, the longest connections I got - and much of my viewing was thanks to videos posted by the generous folk who knew how to do them. I was always left wanting to see more. This was the first time I had a chance to know a lion family ... and they grabbed my heart without me realizing it. I loved seeing the mamas and their little ones. I knew this was not a story, but real-life nature - I knew we were never sure of a "happily ever after". I couldn't help but get attached to them. The cubs -who could resist?


*This image is copyright of its original author

There are a number of variations for the pride's name - Nukuhuma, Kahuma, Humas, Khumas. The name "Kahuma" means, in Shangaan, "come out" and they "came out" from the Manyaleti-Kruger National Park area in the northeast part of Djuma, having been seen on the very northern borders in late 2005, but not yet making their way into the area traversed by Djuma Game Reserve vehicles. They were reported in the Djuma Ranger Diaries in Nov/Dec of 2006 and were 12-13 strong at that time - 2 adult males, 1 young male, the rest females and cubs. They took over territory that had previously been that of the Skatani Pride, who were all dead by this time. There were many different males who attempted to take over the area, but the Khumas were the ones that finally settled in, after a short period of residence by a group known as the 3+1 pride.
The young male mentioned seems to have vanished - Jan speaks of him in the Sep 19, 2007 WEBlog as though he was a son of the pride males. Though Rexon does not know about this young male specifically, he said the usual thing that would happen is that he would have been thrown out of the pride at about 2 1/2 years or he would have just left and ended up making his own coalition.
The Khumas were seen moving about on the Djuma property throughout 2007, usually staying north of the southern boundary. The WildEarth game drives first showed them to us in July 2007.


*This image is copyright of its original author

I loved watching the "old" cubs teaching the "new" cubs how to play, and seeing up to perhaps 7 mamas on a sighting. It was great fun watching the antics of the cubs growing, playing, exploring, and bravely learning just how it was that they should chew up those tough old buffalos. I loved looking at the two powerful males, quiet and strong, magnificent in the last sunlight of the evening, just lying in the grass, noses tilted upwards & sniffing the breezes.

*This image is copyright of its original author

No doubt these were the guys in charge. We watched them mating in the late months of 2007...with other than the ladies of their pride. In December, there was the most wonderful parade of all sizes of young lions.

*This image is copyright of its original author
I couldn't believe there were so many trotting along behind the in-charge Auntie, stopping to have a look back at us, some of them flopping down and practicing their resting techniques. I remember thinking what a lot of babies there were to look after and feed and keep safe.

*This image is copyright of its original author
There were about 15 little lions at this time. At this same time, there were reports of a powerful coalition of 6 male lions in the areas of Sabi Sands south of Djuma -The Mapogo Males. They were a force to be reckoned with, having taken over many areas and establishing themselves as the dominant males for a number of prides. It is thought that they are related, but not necessarily all brothers - probably cousins in the mix.
On Dec. 8 of 2007, the older dominant Khuma male, known to WildEarth viewers as Blondie, was mating with a Styx lioness on a property called Chitwa Chitwa, which borders Djuma to the south. The Mapogos were there too. When they found Blondie, there was a fierce fight. Blondie was killed by the Mapogos. The surviving male, known as Dozi, managed to escape to the north. The females scattered north also, with the many young cubs that had to be immediately relocated away from the Mapogos. I could not imagine how they were going to get all those little ones to safety. Some were very new and would have had a terribly hard time travelling on those little legs. It is not known the exact number of cubs that survived the move or if any of the females were found at that time by the Mapogos. Mating was reported to have taken place, but if they had mated at that time, cubs should be on the ground by now, and so far, I haven't heard of any.
Rexon was the one who reported Blondie's death to us that morning, and it was just the worst thing I could think to hear. I have seen my share of catfights out in my yard, and projecting the fierceness of the little domestic cats into what had happened at Chitwa Dam, I was horrified to think what probably had gone on with 5, or perhaps all 6, of those big strong males going after Blondie. I hoped he died quickly. Tears flowed for a long time that day. I did know about pride takeovers, but I never thought that it would touch me on this personal level - I had read about such things, but I was a witness this time, and I never expected it. And worse, I knew Dozi was out there somewhere as were all those babies....and I knew about infanticide. It was a profoundly sad day. We didn't know what had happened to the survivors. It seemed likely the Mapogos would be after them for sure.
In January, there was dramatic evidence of another encounter with the Mapogos. One of the older Khuma cubs was found dead, and from the evidence at the scene, it looked like the Mapogos had come upon the Khumas feeding on a giraffe kill. A fight ensued, and though the body of that one cub was the only one found near the giraffe carcass, two others were killed close to Buffelshoek Dam. Pieter presented it quietly and in a matter-of-fact manner, and I realized that, as much as I hoped they would be ok, the truth was that the cubs would not survive this. More sadness. What I had hoped would not happen, had happened, and it was likely to happen again with the other cubs. I was just one of many WE viewers who did not like the Mapogos very much in those days. Pieter reinforced that this is what lions do - and though I did understand that, I didn't like it. That was my lion family they were after. The Mapogos were indeed, as Pieter said, strong warriors, beautiful in their wildness and fierceness, but they were in the "bad guys" column on my page.
Later during that game drive, four of the Mapogos were seen, some sporting wounds from the encounter - and they were returning from the north, where we knew the females had gone with the cubs. (The 2 cubs killed near Buffelshoek Dam were probably found and killed at this time, I suppose.) It is written up in the WEBlog on Jan. 12, 2008. It is believed that the male, Dozi, was off mating with a Styx Pride lioness at the time, which quite possibly allowed him to survive this attack. One of the cubs that escaped became separated from the pride, but after several days alone, finally managed to join up with them again on a kill on the Kruger Border. That would have been a reunion to see....
Over the next months, & up to the present, the surviving Khuma pride has spent its time mostly in the north-eastern parts of the Djuma property, moving from time to time into Manyaleti and Kruger National Park - the area they originally came from in 2006. Prior to Blondie's death in December, Graham Cooke, from Djuma, had counted 10 lionesses + 2 males, along with 15 cubs. He took this pic Feb 4, when he found the surviving pride on a buffalo kill near the Kruger National Park border.



*This image is copyright of its original author
In the February 26 WEBlog, Jan reports that tracks of the Khuma male, Dozi, were found on the western boundary of Djuma near Vuyatela. Other members of the pride have also ventured back south into their old familiar territory from time to time, and on March 13, this "coming home" behaviour put them in the wrong place yet again.
Pieter told us more sad news as the afternoon drive began. The Mapogos had found the Khumas in thick bush, feeding on a waterbuck kill. We were shown the body of a Khuma lioness. It was reported initially that 2 cubs had been killed, but that number may have been 4 or perhaps 5. Apparently one of the cubs had been eaten, and that is not a usual behaviour. Nor is it usual for males to kill females when taking over a pride, but the speculation is that this Mama fought very fiercely and died protecting her cubs. She inflicted damage on the Mapogos as she fought them though - we saw 2 of them later during the drive, lying down and nursing some pretty impressive wounds. There could be as few as 8 cubs remaining now. Currently (since the death of Blondie) there have been up to 5 females seen at a time. Other lionesses may be alive though,and may have broken away into smaller groups, as they are known to do when a pride becomes very large.
On Apr 5, Pieter found 2 Khuma lionesses at Guarrie Pan, feeding on a kudu bull they had killed. Again, they are coming south into their old territory. No cubs were seen with them. They stayed at the kill until they managed to eat the whole thing, and then returned north to the rest of the pride.
On Apr 21, Dozi was seen in the north, feeding alone on a kill and looking well.
This drama continues. It is surprising that in the 4 1/2 months since the December attack killed the dominant Khuma male, The Mapogos have not yet found the pride and killed the remainder of the cubs. It seems inevitable that it will happen. The Mapogos are covering more and more of the Djuma property, having settled right in. The Khumas are being pressured by The Mapogos to move east toward Kruger, and who knows what other prides may be operating on the Manyaleti-Kruger National Park side, pressuring them to stay to the west.
We will just have to wait to see what comes next. I really don't want to do the part that almost certainly will happen.....the part where the Mapogos find the pride, and Dozi and the cubs will be killed. Then the cycle will start over, this time with Mapogo cubs and 5 strong males to be their protectors. It seems like so much to have happened in the 10 months since we met this pride....I guess that is what happens out there.


I obtained info from Djuma Ranger's Diary, Djuma Drumbeat (their newsletter), from Elephant Plains Sightings Reports, Ranger's Reports, and Elephant Plains Newsletter, the WEBlog, and from the WE Presenters Pieter and Rexon, and from Jan's WEBlog entries. Thank you Rexon for your help,information, and insights, and to Sue Lloyd who "grilled him" for me. Pics are from Colmaca, EmC, Sagresta of the MyAfrica Forum, and Graham Cooke, Djuma. Thank you also, Graham C, for so much help with the "back story" and for your current updates as the pride shows itself out on Djuma. At MyAfrica Forum...thanks to admins, colmaca and kb7get, and to members EmC and Sagresta. I had a great deal of fun doing this - thanks to Graham W. for inviting me.
Written by Lily - from the MyAfrica forum.



http://blog.wildearth.tv/2008/05/khuma-p...lions.html
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