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The Mighty Mapogos
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 (12-20-2016, 02:15 AM)Georgel Wrote:(12-19-2016, 07:00 PM)brotherbear Wrote: Georgel, I have never been to Africa. Your post ( #629 ) is the first remark that I have ever heard, including books, movies, documentary, you name it, of it being cold in Africa. This proves to me that my image of the real Africa is far from realistic. Good observation. You're right. 
A saga for the ages
June 12, 2010, Mala Mala Blog This battle between the Mlowathi males and the 5 young male lions from the Kruger National Park took place over a few days (8 – 11 June). It was a fight for dominance based on revenge, and one that ended (predictably) in bloodshed. Although the action took place just north of MalaMala, the implications will have far reaching effects. On the night of the 7th the two Mlowathi brothers moved north. At the same time the five young male lions were making their way south after finishing a buffalo kill in the north.
During the early hours of the 8th, the two Mlowathi boys caught up with the five intruders, and started a battle that would last two days. The brothers attacked the Kruger Park lions, who then very quickly took off. The older, darker maned male was caught by the two dominant lions and severely mauled. His leg was broken and spine snapped, and he died from his injuries a short while later. They then roared their dominance out across the frosty morning before finding some shade to rest in.
That evening the rowdy pair was preparing to move west when the four brothers approached them from behind. They had returned to avenge their brother’s death. Caught unawares, the Mlowathi males hightailed it out of the area. But the four young lions proved too fast for them, and before long they’d caught ‘Kinky Tail’ and mauled him to within an inch of his life. They then left him and went after his brother, ‘Mohawk’. He was also caught, but managed to escape before too much harm could be inflicted. He kept running and crossed into MalaMala in the early hours of the 9th.
The four Kruger National Park brothers then returned to where they had left ‘Kinky Tail’, and finished him off. Not satisfied with just killing one of the legendary Mapogo male lions, they then proceeded to eat him too. Although cannibalism is extremely rare among lions, it does happen. Especially in situations where there is a quest for dominance. Once the Kruger brothers had finished feeding on ’Kinky Tail’, they moved south again and crossed into MalaMala on the 9th. During that same afternoon rangers found the remaining Mlowathi male at Mlowathi Dam. He looked fit enough and didn’t appear to have any serious injuries – at least none that could be seen. Having not yet realized what happened to his brother, ‘Mohawk’ roared through the night as he searched for him.
On the 10th he was still in the exact same spot, and continued roaring throughout the day and night, still hoping his brother would hear him. Late in the evening of the 10th, roaring was heard coming from the east in response to each of the remaining Mlowathi brother’s roars. Rangers rushed to find where the roars were coming from, and found three of the younger brothers lying in Ostrich Koppies Road at the junction of Rhino Walk. The fourth brother was spotted in the bush, a little further away. Tensions rose with each passing roar, giving the distinct impression that an all out war might well be imminent.
On the morning of the 11th, the rangers rushed back out to find the two parties and to see what had happened during the night. ‘Mohawk’ was nowhere to be seen, but tracks indicated he had gone north. The four brothers were still lying in the same spot, but had been joined by the lead female of the Styx pride sometime during the night. She was lying off to one side with the most dominant of the four males, and the pair was mating periodically. Just as evening settled in and the three blonde males started to move off, one of them spotted a pangolin and tried in vain to eat it. The male that was mating then began roaring, and soon his three brothers returned and joined in. When rangers left the area all five lions were roaring, and one very nervous pangolin was still rolled in a tight ball.
With the reign of the Mlowathi males coming to such an abrupt end, the lion dynamics have been thrown wide open. For now however, the most pressing concern is the tiny Eyrefield cubs and the new Styx cubs. Only time will tell, but given what’s happened, it doesn’t look good for them. ________________________________________________ Another inaccurate testimony of the fight between the Mlowathis and Majingilanes. 
@
When I was down in South Africa in the summer of 2013, the lowest temperature reached -6 degrees Celsius, so yes it can get pretty frozen at times. Winter there is summer here, and vice versa.   (12-20-2016, 06:35 AM)Majingilane Wrote:(12-20-2016, 03:22 AM)Georgel Wrote: Another inaccurate testimony of the fight between the Mlowathis and Majingilanes. the report uses very careful language especially for the moments that nobody knows what happened because nobody was there. on the other hand this careful wording make us quite suspicious that the actual events were not so clear as they want to present them. (12-20-2016, 06:35 AM)Majingilane Wrote:(12-20-2016, 03:22 AM)Georgel Wrote: Another inaccurate testimony of the fight between the Mlowathis and Majingilanes. Thanks for the suggestion, but no need to say it. I'm also pretty sure they know more than us, but it seems missed that someone else recorded. 
The Fight Between the Sons of Old Rivals
Mapogos Sons (Othawa Boys) vs Blondie's Sons (Nkhuma males) September turned out to be a great month for lion viewing. The two young Nkuhuma males are having a really tough time. Firstly they got chased around by the Majingilane males and then they had a fight with the two Ottawa brothers. The Nkuhuma males decided not to accept the young male (that was seen with them last month) into their coalition and they are yet again moving around alone. The Ottawa brothers are exploring more and more, going further east every time. They are also now looking for females and an own territory, as they are still maturing. BB and the 4 youngsters of the Tsalala pride are still avoiding the Majingilane males. They are all still very healthy and fit and are now strong enough to take down a buffalo every now and again. But with all this happiness comes a sad end. The two other Tsalala females brought their 8 cubs into our area a few days before the end of September. The four smallest cubs are believed to be 3 months old. Tragedy struck when the two females went after a breeding herd of an estimated 1000 buffaloes. Two cubs got trampled by the herd but the other six were luckily not harmed. It was heart breaking to see the lionesses return from their successful hunt, only to find two of their cubs killed. These two members of the Big 5 will always remain one another’s biggest enemies. Wednesday, 21 September 2011 (30 °C) Two Kuhuma pride loins walking north along Bushcamp East after fighting with the two Ottawa pride lions A breeding herd of elephants feeding on Saseka A breeding herd of buffaloes sleeping on Leopard Drift Wild dogs moving north east along Tsololo Road Two Nkuhuma pride male lions sleeping on Bushcamp East http://www.elephantplains.co.za/big-5-blog/2011/10/rangers-report-september-2011/ West Mapogo male lions were great dads.
March Rangers Report April 5, 2010 Leopard Hills Lions, lions and more lions!! March has been one of the best lion viewing months in years. Both the Ottawa and Ximungwe pride spend most of the month in our traversing area ; seeing all the new cubs already completely at ease with our presence was without a doubt the jewel in the crown. The Ottawa Pride unfortunately lost one of their cubs when it was killed by a hyena one evening East of our area.We had a great sighting towards the end of the month of the pride lying in a big open area, all completely full from the previous nights hunting. The Ximungwe pride was seen almost daily and their 3 cubs (1 cub approximately four months old and 2 cubs approximately 8 weeks old) are extremely used to our presence. Seeing such small lion cubs is definitely one of the highlights of the month and for many of our return guests this was by far the smallest lion cubs that they have ever seen in all their combined visits. The Mapogo male lions also spend most of the month in our traversing area and these formidable males really make great dads playing with their cubs. We viewed 2 of the males accompanied by the Ximungwe females feeding of a buffalo in the North of our area. The same morning another 2 males of the coalition was also seen feeding of 2 buffaloes that they killed during the night. Mapogos are still the bosses of the west.
Mapogo Coalition.Rangers Report November 2010 November 30, 2010 Leopard Hills The coalition has again been in our traversing area for most of the month, there seems to be some stability among the 4 remaining Mapogos and they are spending most of their time together again. They have been roaring a lot together letting the 4 young Majingilane males in the east know that they are still the bosses of the west. Currently the Mapogos are not too far from the Lodge as they killed a hippo during the night, they have given some amazing viewing for the guests of Leopard Hills and everyone visiting the Sabi Sand.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Mapogos vocalising is louder and more ear-splitting than ever.
Rangers Report May 2011 May 30, 2011 Leopard Hills Mapogo Coalition The 3 ageing males have been spending much of May contesting for mating opportunities with the 2 Ximungwe lionesses that don‘t have cubs as yet. Lion mating behaviour is always fascinating to watch and our guests have been spoilt this last month. Even though they are getting on in years their vocalising is louder and more ear-splitting than ever, the Majingilane coalition in the east will be listening intently and under no illusion who still rules the west. Mapogos had a confrontation with the Majingilanes.
Rangers Report June 2011 June 22, 2011 Leopard Hills Mapogo Coalition The 3 males spent the beginning of June contesting for mating opportunities with the 1 Ximungwe lioness who is still possibly in oestrus. They managed to kill a young hippo during the middle of the month which kept them busy for a few days. They have been vocalising intensely now towards the end of the month and there was a confrontation with the Majingilane coalition on Ottawa in the east (which seems to be neutral territory) on 19 June! The Mapogo came straight back west the next day with a few minor injuries, importantly they are still holding their own against the 4 younger males. _____________________________________ In the post #319 on can see how much differ the information from one poster to another. I'd be glad to see a report (not a facebook article which is what I've found by googling) confirming the Mapogos vs Matimbas confrontation. Rangers Report July 2011
July 27, 2011 Leopard Hills Mapogo Coalition There has been some fervent interaction between the three males as they contest for mating opportunities with the Ximungwe lioness who is still possibly in oestrus. We hypothesise that this female is battling to conceive as she has been seen mating with them for a while without falling pregnant. The younger two Mapogo managed to kill a female buffalo near the Sand River one night with the assistance of one of the lionesses. The arrival of the oldest Mapogo a day later when he picked up the scent of the kill resulted in quite a scuffle, the younger two were reluctant to share their hard earned meal but the older male held his own! During the month the seasoned old males also had a scuffle with their sons, the two young Ottawa males, attempting to force the three year old out of their territory! One of the Ottawa males has quite deep scarring on his back around the spine and his rear legs from the scuffle! They are resisting moving out of the Mapogo’s territory even after being injured and are still up in the north across the Sand River. It will be fascinating to see if they move off and begin a nomadic life looking for a territory or if they fancy their chances of challenging their fathers when they are a little more confident and stronger. Mapogos start feeling a little pressure.
Rangers Report September 2011 September 28, 2011 Leopard Hills Mapogo Coalition The more time the 3 rulers of the west spend together the more chance we have of experiencing one of their earth shattering roaring displays! We were treated to a few such performances this month. They have been venturing east more this month and are obviously feeling a little pressure but are more than holding their own! They currently face the significant threats of the 4 Majingilane males to the east mostly on Londolozi, the 6 young Matimba males further north and the 4 Southern pride males in the south. Some sad news is that the Southern pride males killed the remaining young 3 year old Ottawa male mid month! It sure is a tough task as a male lion seeking out an existence in the prime but hazardous territory of the Sabi Sands right now! Have a look at the Sabi Sands map below and how the male lion coalitions are currently positioned remembering that the 6 mighty Mapogo ruled this whole area for so long!  *This image is copyright of its original author
Makhulu and Mr. T spending time east.
Rangers Report December 2011 December 29, 2011
Leopard Hills
Mapogo Coalition The elder of the Mapogo and the short maned male have been prowling together for most of the month, spending a lot of time east, looking after the threat from the Majingilane’s that side. The other male has been living an easier life further west with the Ximungwe pride for much of the month, taking advantage of the hunting expertise of the lionesses. |
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