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The Mighty Mapogos

Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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Mapogos -vs- Matimbas
June 19th 2011

3 Mapogos versus 3 Matimbas - The mystery night June 19th 2011 In June 2011 another epic battle took place. The 3 remaining Mapogos fought the young and huge Matimbas (probably the oldest, Hairy Belly and Ginger Matimba). Even in old days the 3 old warriors pushed the Matimbas out of their area.
The Mapogos succesfully defended their pride and held their ground.the Mapogos Supremacy proved one more time as we all know the Mapogos won that battle, with heavy injuries though, but won against 3 younger Matimbas. Makhuu was 13+ yo, PB 11+ and MrT almost 10.
after their defeat the 4 Matimbas gave up their plans to expand west into the Mapogo Kingdom and turned their interest towards the East and SE. This brought them in direct confrontation with the Majingilane in August 2011.




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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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(10-26-2016, 08:33 PM)Georgel Wrote: Looking for more details about the Matimbas encounter with the Majingilanes (august 2011) I found this article: http://blog.londolozi.com/2011/08/lion-w...bloodshed/

I knew that some years ago they met each other in a supposed 4 vs 3 encounter, but I've though that this could be about a different occasion the two coalitions encountered. Anyway, I've read the comments under the article and I think the one posted by James Tyrrell needs a small correction. He says:

"With social media these days bringing far more of the lion population dynamics into the spotlight than in previous years, I imagine that it’s also only recently that the general public has started paying close attention to what is happening in the lion world, and this has just happened to coincide with the rise of big coalitions like the Mapogo, the Majingilanes and the Matimbas."

I have the opinion that many people started to pay attention to the lions’ world after watching the documentary “Brothers in Blood”. That's why I consider the Mapogos had the main contribution to this, while the other coalitions became known only for playing a role in the Mapogos' show. (N.B. This is my opinion, and I don't want to start an argue with other members of the forum about this.)
i totally agree with you
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Romania bdg79 Offline
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Agreed, and I think that the name of this thread dosent do them justice, the Mapogos were much more than "mighty".
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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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(10-26-2016, 11:29 PM)bdg79 Wrote: Agreed, and I think that the name of this thread dosent do them justice, the Mapogos were much more than "mighty".

I agree. Its looking very ordinary name. I prefere the name of this thread should be the greatest coalition of all time or the most brutal coalition of all time or the most famous coalation of all time.
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Argentina Tshokwane Offline
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The name will stay as it is, I don't see anything wrong with it.
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United States Pckts Offline
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(10-27-2016, 02:18 AM)Georgel Wrote: Some thread titles are definitely not well chosen. This one is far from worst if compare with "History most brutal killers, the Majingilane Male Lions". Lions aren't "brutal killers", they are simply predators, and every predator has to kill.

For the title of this thread I'd propose to change "mighty" by "legendary".

I do agree that trying to put an adjective in front of a certain coalition is probably not in the best interest of the animal we are discussing.
Every big cat does thing that we may think of as "brutal or mighty or legendary" etc.

I'd think it'd be better to put their location next to their names and even add them inside a specific locations sub category.
For instance
Lions Of Tanzania -
Ngorongoro Crater Lions
Serengeti Lions
Ngorongoro Reserve lions
and so on


Just my two cents
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Argentina Tshokwane Offline
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(10-27-2016, 03:12 AM)Pckts Wrote: I do agree that trying to put an adjective in front of a certain coalition is probably not in the best interest of the animal we are discussing.
Every big cat does thing that we may think of as "brutal or mighty or legendary" etc.

Exactly. Any adjective at all ends up being at least very subjective. 

This is why, in the threads I've created, I have put simply the name of the coalition, not more. The thread itself will tell their story.

As for the names of some of the existing threads, they were created by people that keep posting here, so I'm not going just to overwrite them and change the name just because it isn't liked universally.

Like I said, I don't see anything inherently wrong with the names of the threads as they are.
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United States Pckts Offline
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(10-27-2016, 03:26 AM)Majingilane Wrote:
(10-27-2016, 03:12 AM)Pckts Wrote: I do agree that trying to put an adjective in front of a certain coalition is probably not in the best interest of the animal we are discussing.
Every big cat does thing that we may think of as "brutal or mighty or legendary" etc.

Exactly. Any adjective at all ends up being at least very subjective. 

This is why, in the threads I've created, I have put simply the name of the coalition, not more. The thread itself will tell their story.

As for the names of some of the existing threads, they were created by people that keep posting here, so I'm not going just to overwrite them and change the name just because it isn't liked universally.

Like I said, I don't see anything inherently wrong with the names of the threads as they are.

That's reasonable, it's your prerogative.
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India sanjay Offline
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Changing the title of thread after so long time is not recommended, reason, These thread are ranked well in google search and when you change them the url also changes. This means the new people coming to thread will land on wrong pages.
You should change it at beginning only.


The worst title of majingilane thread was made by me, Wink . At that time when i read about them I had never heard and seen such brutal kills, I was amazed by their power, cleverness, and strategies. They ate the lions they killed. So you can think of a newbie like me, reading all these get so amazed.

Do not flow in emotion, I know people (specially in young age) tend to exaggerates things when they are influenced by their favorites (animal or other thing). Mapogos are defiantly one of the greatest coalitions of all time but do not compare it with other.

Lions were before we born and they will live (hopefully) after we die, Who knows which coalition are the best ???

Just enjoy about them and share about them
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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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Mapogos are the reason behind the fame of sabi sand, majingilanes, matimbas, selatis etc. Even in 2008 they were quite famous.
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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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(10-27-2016, 09:44 AM)sanjay Wrote: Changing the title of thread after so long time is not recommended, reason, These thread are ranked well in google search and when you change them the url also changes. This means the new people coming to thread will land on wrong pages.
You should change it at beginning only.


The worst title of majingilane thread was made by me, Wink . At that time when i read about them I had never heard and seen such brutal kills, I was amazed by their power, cleverness, and strategies. They ate the lions they killed. So you can think of a newbie like me, reading all these get so amazed.

Do not flow in emotion, I know people (specially in young age) tend to exaggerates things when they are influenced by their favorites (animal or other thing). Mapogos are defiantly one of the greatest coalitions of all time but do not compare it with other.

Lions were before we born and they will live (hopefully) after we die, Who knows which coalition are the best ???

Just enjoy about them and share about them
Bro the most brutal killers title suites mapogos more. According to willem botha they killed more than 100 lions. Its more than the lion numbers killed by all current coalations in sabi sand. And they often eat other lion mapogos also called canibals.
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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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"Makhulu and Pretty Boy vs KNP Males

In mid 2012 not long after Mr. T's death at the hands of the Selatis, the now established and dominant KNP coalition in Southern Sabi Sands were unstoppable. The old Makhulu and Pretty Boy who had been recently ousted by the same Selatis were surrounded by 3 different coalitions around them. They ended up in the South and the last 2 remaining old Mapogos had one last hurrah in them. Makhulu would lead the last of his brothers into ONE LAST STAND.
The old Mapogos ended up in KNP territory to try one last stand and the huge KNP Males more than obliged. A clash of epic proportions came next as the 2 Mapogos fought the 2 prime KNP Males for perhaps new territory. A bloody fight took place as the old Mapogos gave it all they had but ultimately lost as the KNP Males triumphed and kept their land. In a glorious defeat the old Mapogos showed they could still bang with the best. Despite the win the KNP Males suffered a big blow. The Mapogos inflicted an injury to Limper who was suspected to have died 2 weeks later from the same injury.
Result and aftermath
The 2 Mapogos lost but they gave the younger and stronger KNP Males all they could handle and inflicted a mortal wound to one of the KNP Males, Limper. The Mapogos would then wonder off into the sunset.
The remaining KNP Male Freddy continued to reign supreme in the South but not long after their triumph his brother Limper died of his injuries sustained in the fight with the Mapogos."
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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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( This post was last modified: 10-27-2016, 06:38 PM by fursan syed )

“Legend” – A person whose fame or notoriety makes him a source of exaggerated or romanticised 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 11 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 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.
http://africageographic.com/blog/the-legend-of-the-mapogo-lions/

pc Ben Coley

*This image is copyright of its original author
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United States Pckts Offline
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(10-27-2016, 09:49 AM)fursan syed Wrote: Mapogos are the reason behind the fame of sabi sand, majingilanes, matimbas, selatis etc. Even in 2008 they were quite famous.

Safaris in the Sabi sand and all over africa have been going on far longer then just 2008 and while they seem to be gaining popularity, its more to do with the addition of technology. We can now fly anywhere far easier, cheaper and with more options. We can contact any part of the world, compare prices and learn about which adventures we prefer all via computer. We now have digital camera that can upload to social media pages that are updated constantly which allows us to learn about individuals over just "species."

The Mapogos or Majingilanes or any Coalition of lions is no more special than any other. They are simply lions, they aren't doing anything that lions haven't been doing for 1000s of years. When traveling with our guide, he took us through the crater, he had been working there previously for 5 years, he didn't even know individual pride members just prides. The sightings of big cats is never guaranteed and they aren't caged in, which means they travel. So there is no guarantee that you will see the same individual again and if you did, it wasn't like you're running into them all the time. Only with the addition of digital cameras are we able to ID these cats now and we are able to share stories and images that help put the pieces together. This just wasn't the case years ago, you went to africa, saw some animals and you left. Guides now a days may have a more intimate knowledge of individual cats but if that is the case, that means that they have been working at one location for a long time and probably haven't been able to go to other countries to compare.

So what I'm saying is this, No individual big cat is the "savior" of the species, some become more famous than others and maybe create a fan fare for that location for a bit but they will soon be gone and another will take their place, they will be forgotten eventually outside of the few who continue their legacy. But now we can pass their legacy through the web which will allow us to remember them, but all that came before them are just as "brutal, savage, smart, fierce etc." Better to just give the species the credit.
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Pakistan fursan syed Offline
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really
so why this thread is created. why to remember mapogos or notches or any others. just better to give the species credit according to you. and what about all the people comments and opinions who are working in the bush. my english is not very good thats why i cant write many things in my mind.
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