There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
Mapogo males
"Incredible. Mapogo males are now in the very SW of Londoz. Very close to where they killed the buffalo some days ago. This is the 'vacuum' area that i think exists between majingi, selati and KNP. Its a tiny area..a small clearing with no lionesses and very few animals. may try head there this afternoon."
Image by:Adam Bannister:
(4/13/2012)
July 2012
I AM LEGEND
“Legend” – A person whose fame or notoriety makes him a source of exaggerated or romanticized tales or exploits.
‘Legend’ is a word that is thrown around all too often in this day and age but the term surmises the reign of the Mapogo lions in the Sabi Sands to perfection. For the last 6 years or so, this notorious band of brothers has ruled the area with an iron paw. They are true warriors and have proved themselves time after time on the field of battle. During their prime, 6 of these magnificent specimens patrolled their territory, dispatching all competitors and striking fear into the hearts of all that found themselves in their way. Legend has it that the Mapogo have been responsible for killing in excess of 40 males, females and cubs as they stamped their authority on their domain. Whole prides have been wiped out in their relentless march for dominance and challengers have been eaten in an act of defiance: a fate almost unheard of in the species of Panthera leo. The former warden of the Sabi Sands has been cited saying that he believes them accountable for over 100 lion fatalities although the true number will probably never be known. Never before has the lion population known such a force and it is stories like this that have elevated their exploits to legendary status.
These brothers may have a fearsome reputation but in the world of the lion, they should be seen as the epitomes of what a successful coalition should be. They have been labeled as sadistic and remorseless to mention only a few adjectives assigned to them, but their exploits have ensured safe breeding grounds and stability in an area of unusually high competition. Their success has changed the dynamic of the lion population in this area forever and it is no surprise to me that litters are becoming more and more skewed in favour of male offspring. This is an inevitable outcome as nature attempts to balance the scales and provide a more level playing field.
In recent years, new and equally formidable coalitions have been responsible for whittling down the Mapogo’s numbers as territorial lines were drawn in the sand and crossed and repeated battles were waged. The Majingilanes in the north and the Southern Pride males in the south have both had their say in the shaping of the new regime and now all that remains of the mighty Mapogo are two aging specimens known as Makhulu and Pretty Boy. Since being overthrown by the Southern Pride males, the last of these legends have been sighted regularly on Sabi Sabi as they search for new territory or maybe just sanctuary as they live out the remainder of their days. At 14 and 12 years of age, they have surpassed the life expectancy of most male lions and carry the scars of years of conflict on the front line.
During my 6 years of working in the bush, I have been privileged to view and come into close contact with many different lions from different areas of South Africa and Tanzania but I can honestly say that I have never witnessed such magnificent specimens as these two remaining legends. Perhaps it is the stigma attached to them that accentuates their aura, but they are the most intimidating lions that I have laid eyes upon. It is not merely their freakish size and musculature that raises the adrenaline levels and starts the heart pounding, but the look contained deep within their eyes.
Peering into those yellow abysses one can truly feel the history and experience of many a hard fought battle in which the deciding factor was not just power, but a will to survive. Their eyes bore through you like no other lions I have even seen and I refuse to believe anyone who claims to not feel a slight pang of uncertainty when they stare back at you. The uneasiness of their presence is something that I have never felt before when watching the Kruger males. For fear of downplaying the current kings of Sabi Sabi, the last of the Mapogo make them look like kittens.
It is hard not to paint the Mapogos as terrifying, evil beasts due to the wrath they have rained down on the area but I hope that they are remembered as great rulers and protectors. They have raised the bar as to the expectations of male coalitions in so far as protecting a territory and ensuring their genetic success. They should be seen as role models, not killers.
In conclusion then, legendary status is hard to achieve but ask anyone who has worked in the Sabi Sands for the last 7 years and they will tell you tales of the Mapogo. Sadistic tyrants or protective fathers? Both could be claimed true but the fact is that their arrival heralded a new age of the lion population in the Sabi Sands. Love them or hate them, their exploits will never be forgotten. These tales will no doubt be embellished and exaggerated but this is how great icons are born. Over time, these stories will become myths and myths will become legends: a fitting legacy for the most famous lions of the modern era.
Mapogo males - Pretty boy/Skorro and Makhulu/Ngalalalekha a few days after to defeated the Matimba males on a territorial fight Image by:JoAAn Gould Image date back from: July 2011
(10-22-2020, 02:29 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: Hey my friend @BA0701 have you read this before?
@"TinoArmando" , my friend, no I had not seen this particular article. I it is very interesting in how he compares the Mapogos to other lions he has been in the presence of. I do have to say, however, his comment, "ensuring their genetic success" hasn't aged well. So many years of ruling such a massive area, and so little to show for it, and that is so disappointing to me. But, I concur with nearly everything else he wrote.
The following 1 user Likes BA0701's post:1 user Likes BA0701's post • T I N O
10-22-2020, 03:20 AM( This post was last modified: 10-22-2020, 03:20 AM by T I N O )
(10-22-2020, 03:03 AM)BA0701 Wrote:
(10-22-2020, 02:29 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: Hey my friend @BA0701 have you read this before?
@"TinoArmando" , my friend, no I had not seen this particular article. I it is very interesting in how he compares the Mapogos to other lions he has been in the presence of. I do have to say, however, his comment, "ensuring their genetic success" hasn't aged well. So many years of ruling such a massive area, and so little to show for it, and that is so disappointing to me. But, I concur with nearly everything else he wrote.
Yeah. If we talk about a weak point of the Mapogo males could be the lack of offspring that they left through the Sabi Sands.
This was also because the Six males were really very aggressive. They killed a lot of their cubs. Especially Mr T when he back with their brothers.
Very sad, However nothing to reproach them!
They became legends and world famous for themselves
(10-22-2020, 02:29 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: Hey my friend @BA0701 have you read this before?
@"TinoArmando" , my friend, no I had not seen this particular article. I it is very interesting in how he compares the Mapogos to other lions he has been in the presence of. I do have to say, however, his comment, "ensuring their genetic success" hasn't aged well. So many years of ruling such a massive area, and so little to show for it, and that is so disappointing to me. But, I concur with nearly everything else he wrote.
Yeah. If we talk about a weak point of the Mapogo males could be the lack of offspring that they left through the Sabi Sands.
This was also because the Six males were really very aggressive. They killed a lot of their cubs. Especially Mr T when he back with their brothers.
Very sad, However nothing to reproach them!
They became legends and world famous for themselves
To be honest, and perhaps I am uninformed on the matter, I don't recall any of the other Mapogos killing their own cubs, or even their brothers cubs, outside of Mr. T. We'll never know why that happened, he's not the first to do it though.
Patience with the cubs is one of the main reasons Mak is my all time favorite lion, along with many other factors, but he was great with them. He, and Othawa Male, and a few others as well, that I can think of right off the top of my head.
(10-22-2020, 02:29 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: Hey my friend @BA0701 have you read this before?
@"TinoArmando" , my friend, no I had not seen this particular article. I it is very interesting in how he compares the Mapogos to other lions he has been in the presence of. I do have to say, however, his comment, "ensuring their genetic success" hasn't aged well. So many years of ruling such a massive area, and so little to show for it, and that is so disappointing to me. But, I concur with nearly everything else he wrote.
Yeah. If we talk about a weak point of the Mapogo males could be the lack of offspring that they left through the Sabi Sands.
This was also because the Six males were really very aggressive. They killed a lot of their cubs. Especially Mr T when he back with their brothers.
Very sad, However nothing to reproach them!
They became legends and world famous for themselves
To be honest, and perhaps I am uninformed on the matter, I don't recall any of the other Mapogos killing their own cubs, or even their brothers cubs, outside of Mr. T. We'll never know why that happened, he's not the first to do it though.
Patience with the cubs is one of the main reasons Mak is my all time favorite lion, along with many other factors, but he was great with them. He, and Othawa Male, and a few others as well, that I can think of right off the top of my head.
Rasta, Dreadlocks and Mr T were the Mapogo brothers who were being trying to kill chasing them out of the reserve the Sand River males (their own sons).
The Mapogo as the Matimba males killed their own cubs due the number of the coalition. Actually is very rare and strange seen a coalition of six or even more brothers spend time with a same pride. This mean that when the were cubs born they didn't recognize them as their own sons then they kill them
I'll post a few post about this.
(10-22-2020, 02:29 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: Hey my friend @BA0701 have you read this before?
@"TinoArmando" , my friend, no I had not seen this particular article. I it is very interesting in how he compares the Mapogos to other lions he has been in the presence of. I do have to say, however, his comment, "ensuring their genetic success" hasn't aged well. So many years of ruling such a massive area, and so little to show for it, and that is so disappointing to me. But, I concur with nearly everything else he wrote.
Yeah. If we talk about a weak point of the Mapogo males could be the lack of offspring that they left through the Sabi Sands.
This was also because the Six males were really very aggressive. They killed a lot of their cubs. Especially Mr T when he back with their brothers.
Very sad, However nothing to reproach them!
They became legends and world famous for themselves
To be honest, and perhaps I am uninformed on the matter, I don't recall any of the other Mapogos killing their own cubs, or even their brothers cubs, outside of Mr. T. We'll never know why that happened, he's not the first to do it though.
Patience with the cubs is one of the main reasons Mak is my all time favorite lion, along with many other factors, but he was great with them. He, and Othawa Male, and a few others as well, that I can think of right off the top of my head.
Rasta, Dreadlocks and Mr T were the Mapogo brothers who were being trying to kill chasing them out of the reserve the Sand River males (their own sons).
The Mapogo as the Matimba males killed their own cubs due the number of the coalition. Actually is very rare and strange seen a coalition of six or even more brothers spend time with a same pride. This mean that when the were cubs born they didn't recognize them as their own sons then they kill them
I'll post a few post about this.
I did not know Rasta and Dreadlocks also killed their own, and their brothers, cubs, or the Matimas for that matter. That is very interesting you never read about that, and people only ever seem to discuss Mr. T doing it. I know other lions have done it as well, there was a cub on Savage Kingdom whose own father paralyzed him by biting him, so T was clearly not the only one, which is precisely why I refuse to buy into the whole Satan nomenclature, I believe it demonizes an animal that is simply living off of instinct.
The following 1 user Likes BA0701's post:1 user Likes BA0701's post • T I N O
10-22-2020, 04:07 AM( This post was last modified: 10-22-2020, 06:32 PM by T I N O )
(10-22-2020, 03:44 AM)BA0701 Wrote:
(10-22-2020, 03:37 AM)TinoArmando Wrote:
(10-22-2020, 03:29 AM)BA0701 Wrote:
(10-22-2020, 03:20 AM)TinoArmando Wrote:
(10-22-2020, 03:03 AM)BA0701 Wrote:
(10-22-2020, 02:29 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: Hey my friend @BA0701 have you read this before?
@"TinoArmando" , my friend, no I had not seen this particular article. I it is very interesting in how he compares the Mapogos to other lions he has been in the presence of. I do have to say, however, his comment, "ensuring their genetic success" hasn't aged well. So many years of ruling such a massive area, and so little to show for it, and that is so disappointing to me. But, I concur with nearly everything else he wrote.
Yeah. If we talk about a weak point of the Mapogo males could be the lack of offspring that they left through the Sabi Sands.
This was also because the Six males were really very aggressive. They killed a lot of their cubs. Especially Mr T when he back with their brothers.
Very sad, However nothing to reproach them!
They became legends and world famous for themselves
To be honest, and perhaps I am uninformed on the matter, I don't recall any of the other Mapogos killing their own cubs, or even their brothers cubs, outside of Mr. T. We'll never know why that happened, he's not the first to do it though.
Patience with the cubs is one of the main reasons Mak is my all time favorite lion, along with many other factors, but he was great with them. He, and Othawa Male, and a few others as well, that I can think of right off the top of my head.
Rasta, Dreadlocks and Mr T were the Mapogo brothers who were being trying to kill chasing them out of the reserve the Sand River males (their own sons).
The Mapogo as the Matimba males killed their own cubs due the number of the coalition. Actually is very rare and strange seen a coalition of six or even more brothers spend time with a same pride. This mean that when the were cubs born they didn't recognize them as their own sons then they kill them
I'll post a few post about this.
I did not know Rasta and Dreadlocks also killed their own, and their brothers, cubs, or the Matimas for that matter. That is very interesting you never read about that, and people only ever seem to discuss Mr. T doing it. I know other lions have done it as well, there was a cub on Savage Kingdom whose own father paralyzed him by biting him, so T was clearly not the only one, which is precisely why I refuse to buy into the whole Satan nomenclature, I believe it demonizes an animal that is simply living off of instinct.
Edit post: The correction is on the post of @BA0701
(10-22-2020, 02:29 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: Hey my friend @BA0701 have you read this before?
@"TinoArmando" , my friend, no I had not seen this particular article. I it is very interesting in how he compares the Mapogos to other lions he has been in the presence of. I do have to say, however, his comment, "ensuring their genetic success" hasn't aged well. So many years of ruling such a massive area, and so little to show for it, and that is so disappointing to me. But, I concur with nearly everything else he wrote.
Yeah. If we talk about a weak point of the Mapogo males could be the lack of offspring that they left through the Sabi Sands.
This was also because the Six males were really very aggressive. They killed a lot of their cubs. Especially Mr T when he back with their brothers.
Very sad, However nothing to reproach them!
They became legends and world famous for themselves
To be honest, and perhaps I am uninformed on the matter, I don't recall any of the other Mapogos killing their own cubs, or even their brothers cubs, outside of Mr. T. We'll never know why that happened, he's not the first to do it though.
Patience with the cubs is one of the main reasons Mak is my all time favorite lion, along with many other factors, but he was great with them. He, and Othawa Male, and a few others as well, that I can think of right off the top of my head.
Rasta, Dreadlocks and Mr T were the Mapogo brothers who were being trying to kill chasing them out of the reserve the Sand River males (their own sons).
The Mapogo as the Matimba males killed their own cubs due the number of the coalition. Actually is very rare and strange seen a coalition of six or even more brothers spend time with a same pride. This mean that when the were cubs born they didn't recognize them as their own sons then they kill them
I'll post a few post about this.
I did not know Rasta and Dreadlocks also killed their own, and their brothers, cubs, or the Matimas for that matter. That is very interesting you never read about that, and people only ever seem to discuss Mr. T doing it. I know other lions have done it as well, there was a cub on Savage Kingdom whose own father paralyzed him by biting him, so T was clearly not the only one, which is precisely why I refuse to buy into the whole Satan nomenclature, I believe it demonizes an animal that is simply living off of instinct.
Exactly. Sometimes stay with an comment regarding a lion / coalition isn't good in anything. If oneself research by his count can get much accurate information that any other...
The Matimba males killed a couple of Nkuhuma cubs (in June 2012)
Text and Information below: E.p. RangersElephant Plains Game Lodge
And then there was one...
On June 14th 2012 one of the Nkuhuma male cubs was killed by three of the Matimba male lions. These males are mostly in the Manyeleti Game Reserve but occasionally make their appearance in the northern part of the Sabi Sands.
This is what happened
It started out like any other winter’s morning with a nice refreshing chill in the air as I left the lodge at sunrise to start my morning game drive with my exited guests. We weren’t on the road to long when we heard over the radio that three of the Matimba males had been sighted heading west into our area. I couldn’t believe my luck as it’s been ages since I saw these boys in our area. I immediately turned my vehicle in their direction, hoping they wouldn’t disappear before I got there.
Our luck held and we were soon on the scene and had a great sighting of them walking past our vehicle, but their behaviour was a bit strange. They were all walking with their noses on the ground busy looking for something. We soon noticed tracks of other lions moving in the same direction as them.
They proceeded to cross a deep drainage line were we could not follow so I decided to go around and wait for them on the other side. As I was going around I saw another lion running straight down the road towards me, my tracker then pointed back further down the road and we saw the three Matimba males barrelling towards us chasing the young male Nkuhuma cub, he was running for his life. Unfortunately they caught him just behind my vehicle and shook him like a ragdoll breaking his neck instantly. Once he was dead they began to eat him.
Why did they kill and eat him you might ask?
Well, the cub was not their offspring. He was fathered by another male and male lions do not tolerate the offspring of other males in their territory. By killing cubs, the female lions will come into oestrus, giving the male lions a chance to mate with them and if they are lucky, they will farther new cubs.
Although it is not a nice thing to witness, we know that this is how nature is and we respect it. There is now only 1 Nkuhuma cub left with the rest of the pride and we certainly hope this cub will reach adulthood.
EP Ranger
Richard Davis
The male lion from the documentary [Savage Kingdom] It's Sekekama. He killed one of his sons from the Marsh pride
That is a really good read, thank you @"TinoArmando" my friend. But that cub wasn't the Matimbas cub. Lions kill other's cubs regularly, in fact we are at times left wondering when they don't. What the Mapogos, namely Mr. T, did was very different. The cub I mentioned from Savage Kingdom was from Season 3, and it was an unknown adult male, not the Sekekama incident, when he killed his sub son for getting too close to his mother. The cub I am speaking of was very small, and his father was just passing through. The cub followed his father behind some bushes, and next thing you know the cub is dragging both his back legs, with a puncture wound on his back leg. His mother eventually had to leave him behind, because he couldn't keep up.
The following 1 user Likes BA0701's post:1 user Likes BA0701's post • T I N O
(10-22-2020, 02:29 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: Hey my friend @BA0701 have you read this before?
@"TinoArmando" , my friend, no I had not seen this particular article. I it is very interesting in how he compares the Mapogos to other lions he has been in the presence of. I do have to say, however, his comment, "ensuring their genetic success" hasn't aged well. So many years of ruling such a massive area, and so little to show for it, and that is so disappointing to me. But, I concur with nearly everything else he wrote.
Yeah. If we talk about a weak point of the Mapogo males could be the lack of offspring that they left through the Sabi Sands.
This was also because the Six males were really very aggressive. They killed a lot of their cubs. Especially Mr T when he back with their brothers.
Very sad, However nothing to reproach them!
They became legends and world famous for themselves
To be honest, and perhaps I am uninformed on the matter, I don't recall any of the other Mapogos killing their own cubs, or even their brothers cubs, outside of Mr. T. We'll never know why that happened, he's not the first to do it though.
Patience with the cubs is one of the main reasons Mak is my all time favorite lion, along with many other factors, but he was great with them. He, and Othawa Male, and a few others as well, that I can think of right off the top of my head.
Rasta, Dreadlocks and Mr T were the Mapogo brothers who were being trying to kill chasing them out of the reserve the Sand River males (their own sons).
The Mapogo as the Matimba males killed their own cubs due the number of the coalition. Actually is very rare and strange seen a coalition of six or even more brothers spend time with a same pride. This mean that when the were cubs born they didn't recognize them as their own sons then they kill them
I'll post a few post about this.
I did not know Rasta and Dreadlocks also killed their own, and their brothers, cubs, or the Matimas for that matter. That is very interesting you never read about that, and people only ever seem to discuss Mr. T doing it. I know other lions have done it as well, there was a cub on Savage Kingdom whose own father paralyzed him by biting him, so T was clearly not the only one, which is precisely why I refuse to buy into the whole Satan nomenclature, I believe it demonizes an animal that is simply living off of instinct.
Exactly. Sometimes stay with an comment regarding a lion / coalition isn't good in anything. If oneself research by his count can get much accurate information that any other...
The Matimba males killed a couple of Nkuhuma cubs (in June 2012)
Text and Information below: E.p. RangersElephant Plains Game Lodge
And then there was one...
On June 14th 2012 one of the Nkuhuma male cubs was killed by three of the Matimba male lions. These males are mostly in the Manyeleti Game Reserve but occasionally make their appearance in the northern part of the Sabi Sands.
This is what happened
It started out like any other winter’s morning with a nice refreshing chill in the air as I left the lodge at sunrise to start my morning game drive with my exited guests. We weren’t on the road to long when we heard over the radio that three of the Matimba males had been sighted heading west into our area. I couldn’t believe my luck as it’s been ages since I saw these boys in our area. I immediately turned my vehicle in their direction, hoping they wouldn’t disappear before I got there.
Our luck held and we were soon on the scene and had a great sighting of them walking past our vehicle, but their behaviour was a bit strange. They were all walking with their noses on the ground busy looking for something. We soon noticed tracks of other lions moving in the same direction as them.
They proceeded to cross a deep drainage line were we could not follow so I decided to go around and wait for them on the other side. As I was going around I saw another lion running straight down the road towards me, my tracker then pointed back further down the road and we saw the three Matimba males barrelling towards us chasing the young male Nkuhuma cub, he was running for his life. Unfortunately they caught him just behind my vehicle and shook him like a ragdoll breaking his neck instantly. Once he was dead they began to eat him.
Why did they kill and eat him you might ask?
Well, the cub was not their offspring. He was fathered by another male and male lions do not tolerate the offspring of other males in their territory. By killing cubs, the female lions will come into oestrus, giving the male lions a chance to mate with them and if they are lucky, they will farther new cubs.
Although it is not a nice thing to witness, we know that this is how nature is and we respect it. There is now only 1 Nkuhuma cub left with the rest of the pride and we certainly hope this cub will reach adulthood.
EP Ranger
Richard Davis
The male lion from the documentary [Savage Kingdom] It's Sekekama. He killed one of his sons from the Marsh pride
That is a really good read, thank you @"TinoArmando" my friend. But that cub wasn't the Matimbas cub. Lions kill other's cubs regularly, in fact we are at times left wondering when they don't. What the Mapogos, namely Mr. T, did was very different. The cub I mentioned from Savage Kingdom was from Season 3, and it was an unknown adult male, not the Sekekama incident, when he killed his sub son for getting too close to his mother. The cub I am speaking of was very small, and his father was just passing through. The cub followed his father behind some bushes, and next thing you know the cub is dragging both his back legs, with a puncture wound on his back leg. His mother eventually had to leave him behind, because he couldn't keep up.
(10-22-2020, 02:29 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: Hey my friend @BA0701 have you read this before?
@"TinoArmando" , my friend, no I had not seen this particular article. I it is very interesting in how he compares the Mapogos to other lions he has been in the presence of. I do have to say, however, his comment, "ensuring their genetic success" hasn't aged well. So many years of ruling such a massive area, and so little to show for it, and that is so disappointing to me. But, I concur with nearly everything else he wrote.
Yeah. If we talk about a weak point of the Mapogo males could be the lack of offspring that they left through the Sabi Sands.
This was also because the Six males were really very aggressive. They killed a lot of their cubs. Especially Mr T when he back with their brothers.
Very sad, However nothing to reproach them!
They became legends and world famous for themselves
To be honest, and perhaps I am uninformed on the matter, I don't recall any of the other Mapogos killing their own cubs, or even their brothers cubs, outside of Mr. T. We'll never know why that happened, he's not the first to do it though.
Patience with the cubs is one of the main reasons Mak is my all time favorite lion, along with many other factors, but he was great with them. He, and Othawa Male, and a few others as well, that I can think of right off the top of my head.
Rasta, Dreadlocks and Mr T were the Mapogo brothers who were being trying to kill chasing them out of the reserve the Sand River males (their own sons).
The Mapogo as the Matimba males killed their own cubs due the number of the coalition. Actually is very rare and strange seen a coalition of six or even more brothers spend time with a same pride. This mean that when the were cubs born they didn't recognize them as their own sons then they kill them
I'll post a few post about this.
I did not know Rasta and Dreadlocks also killed their own, and their brothers, cubs, or the Matimas for that matter. That is very interesting you never read about that, and people only ever seem to discuss Mr. T doing it. I know other lions have done it as well, there was a cub on Savage Kingdom whose own father paralyzed him by biting him, so T was clearly not the only one, which is precisely why I refuse to buy into the whole Satan nomenclature, I believe it demonizes an animal that is simply living off of instinct.
Edit post: The correction is on the post of @BA0701
Raport stated that those cubs were not Matimba's, but overall you are correct that sometimes males can kill their own cubs like Mapogos did in Othawa pride in 2007, Matimbas in Mbiri pride in 2012 and Majingilanes in Tsalala pride in 2011.
(10-22-2020, 02:29 AM)TinoArmando Wrote: Hey my friend @BA0701 have you read this before?
@"TinoArmando" , my friend, no I had not seen this particular article. I it is very interesting in how he compares the Mapogos to other lions he has been in the presence of. I do have to say, however, his comment, "ensuring their genetic success" hasn't aged well. So many years of ruling such a massive area, and so little to show for it, and that is so disappointing to me. But, I concur with nearly everything else he wrote.
Yeah. If we talk about a weak point of the Mapogo males could be the lack of offspring that they left through the Sabi Sands.
This was also because the Six males were really very aggressive. They killed a lot of their cubs. Especially Mr T when he back with their brothers.
Very sad, However nothing to reproach them!
They became legends and world famous for themselves
To be honest, and perhaps I am uninformed on the matter, I don't recall any of the other Mapogos killing their own cubs, or even their brothers cubs, outside of Mr. T. We'll never know why that happened, he's not the first to do it though.
Patience with the cubs is one of the main reasons Mak is my all time favorite lion, along with many other factors, but he was great with them. He, and Othawa Male, and a few others as well, that I can think of right off the top of my head.
Rasta, Dreadlocks and Mr T were the Mapogo brothers who were being trying to kill chasing them out of the reserve the Sand River males (their own sons).
The Mapogo as the Matimba males killed their own cubs due the number of the coalition. Actually is very rare and strange seen a coalition of six or even more brothers spend time with a same pride. This mean that when the were cubs born they didn't recognize them as their own sons then they kill them
I'll post a few post about this.
I did not know Rasta and Dreadlocks also killed their own, and their brothers, cubs, or the Matimas for that matter. That is very interesting you never read about that, and people only ever seem to discuss Mr. T doing it. I know other lions have done it as well, there was a cub on Savage Kingdom whose own father paralyzed him by biting him, so T was clearly not the only one, which is precisely why I refuse to buy into the whole Satan nomenclature, I believe it demonizes an animal that is simply living off of instinct.
Edit post: The correction is on the post of @BA0701
Raport stated that those cubs were not Matimba's, but overall you are correct that sometimes males can kill their own cubs like Mapogos did in Othawa pride in 2007, Matimbas in Mbiri pride in 2012 and Majingilanes in Tsalala pride in 2011.
Okay.
The Matimba were with the Nkuhuma pride since 2011.
Junior of the Nkuhuma born in mid 2012. So if the cub wasn't Matimba son,then should be from the Gijima males. Anyway I don't know why they tolerated him for over 1 year. Especially the Matimba males. that were knowing for being aggressive males in Manyeleti (The most aggressive males that Darren Roberts-York saw )
