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The Mighty Mapogos
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The powerful Dreadlocks Mapogo.
Pc unknown  *This image is copyright of its original author
Proud papa Pretty Boy watches his cubs go by.
Photo credits: Khimbini Hlongwane  *This image is copyright of its original author
RASTA MOVInG UNDERCOVER OF THE NIGHT !!!
PC: Mapogo Male Lions.  *This image is copyright of its original author
The twin effect!
Rasta and Pretty Boy Mapogo Pc unknown  *This image is copyright of its original author
Twin brothers in blood.
Pretty Boy and Rasta Photo credits: unknown  *This image is copyright of its original author 
The Legends known as Mapogos
Courteney Blunden, owner of Africa on Foot, used to guide in the Sabi Sand. He reflects on what lions mean to a guide, as well as the Mapogo Lions Heritage and another emerging Mega-Pride in the Kruger Park. “For as long as man has roamed the African plains, forests, mountains and deserts, he has shared this space with a multitude of creatures great and small; from giant elephants to tiny fire ants. But no creature captivates the attention of human beings more than that of the LION. Their appearances are impressive; the males’ crowning mane, the way lionesses stalk through the dark savannah, their muscles visible through their fur, as they move stealthily with a soundless language of co-operation. In fact, they are such powerful beings that their roars alone are enough to bring some folk to tears with primal fear, a feeling that reminds one of yesteryear when we, as humans, competed for and sometimes became the prey! Lions have fascinated me for as long as I can remember and will do so for years to come. I have had the privilege of working in regions with spectacular individuals, coalitions and prides. Lions don’t follow specific guidelines and often do precisely the opposite. Their habits are not set in stone and they are, indeed, very dynamic. In the Southern Sabi Sand Wildtuin early on in the new millennium, there were a number of powerful prides that inhabited the southern and eastern borders of the park adjacent to the Kruger National Park. These prides had many things in common, but what stood out was the sheer size of their coalitions. It is not unusual for two or three male lions to group together in a combined effort to rule a kingdom. They are often brothers or siblings of a close age who, once rejected by the pride’s dominant males, gang together and begin a life of pillage and violence, until ultimately dominating a group of females and their own territory! What was unusual about this area was that the coalitions were made up of at least four or more male lions. What was the reason for this? Possibly, territories were not very big and the prides needed extra security and clout when it came to dominance. As humans, we will never know. The pride that lived on Kingston (Lion Sands) along the Sabi River where I worked was known as the Southern Pride and they were led by three fearsome males which were known in other parts as the Roller-Coaster Males. Starting off as five, one brother was killed during a buffalo hunt, while the other took to a life of solitude living out his days as a nomad following the massive herds of buffalo that moved in and around the Sabi Sand. The Roller-Coasters came from deep within Charleston (MalaMala) and moved through Toulon (MalaMala in the old days and Kirkmans today), eventually winning over their precious riverside territory. From 2002 to late 2004 life was peaceful for them. There were rumours of a new coalition, a coalition of not four or five but six males! We had no name for these males and all the knowledge we had was that they were spawned of a mega coalition from Mala Mala, known as the West Street Males. What made these lions even more interesting was that their coalition consisted of five brothers and an outsider, a lone male, from the Kruger National Park. Rumour has it that he had made the Eyrefield pride his own. The last surviving West Street male was either very wise or was intimidated by this young newcomer because, instead of fending him off, he accepted the impressive outsider into his pride. The West Street male’s five sons now not only had a father, but also a big brother and the king had gained a new body guard! Why didn’t the new male attack the old West Street male and take his crown? Perhaps he was too young, or missed the bonds and safety he experienced as a cub within a big pride? We will never know; however, what we can say is that this strange coalition was destined for a life of violence, stardom, cannibalism and mayhem. People from around the globe would follow them religiously and many an article would be written about their escapades. We had no name for them on Kingston, but after they moved north into the Sands they were dubbed The Mighty Mapogos! It is stories of lions like the Mapogos that get my heart pounding and these stories are what make any guide salivate in anticipation of the next game drive or walk. A.C go to Brett Thompson  *This image is copyright of its original author
Scary Dreadlocks Mapogo in bad mood
 *This image is copyright of its original author
Lone buffalo killer dreadlocks mapogo
 *This image is copyright of its original author
The king of all beasts is here!!!
Dreadlocks Mapogo just touched down. Photo credits: Morkel Erasmus  *This image is copyright of its original author
Massive Mapogo Dreadlocks
 *This image is copyright of its original author
Reports from MalaMala: 19 May 2009
The more dominant and fuller-maned of the two brothers was found at dusk limping slowly towards Mlowathi Koppies. Favoring his right front leg, herested several times - each time he groomed himself and looked around for hisbrother. Not long after his first rest, roaring was heard coming from the topof the Koppies close by. Motivated by his brother, he got up and hobbled up the side of the koppie and disappeared. Obviously having found his brother, he must have flopped down to sleep. Kinky Tail by Ant Mulligan  *This image is copyright of its original author
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