On the 8th June 2010, one of the Sabi Sand’s most notorious male lions, Kinky-Tail was killed. Since then, the dynamics of lions in the Sabi Sands has changed dramatically. At this stage we are not completely sure of what is happening but the best thing we can provide all you keen followers of these lions is with a blow-by-blow update on the way things have panned out over the last few days. By tying all the sightings and interactions together we are watching the story unfold. Whatever that story may be, it is evident that we are witnessing one of the most fascinating times at Londolozi, and the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, in terms of lion pride dynamics as the future is uncertain.
8 June-The Mapogo Coalition find and kill a member of the new coalition. The member had been separated from the rest of the coalition.
8 June- Kinky Tail is killed and eaten by the new coalition of males that have moved in from the Kruger National Park. This leaves just the Mohawk Male (Satan)
Mohawk male (Satan) has been spending a lot of time with Styx Pride, Tsalala Pride and 3 members of the Sparta Pride who now have 3 very young cubs fathered by the Mapogo Coalition.
27 June- The entire Tsalala Pride (11) plus Mohawk were seen heading east following a large herd of Buffalo. It is thought that they killed a buffalo that night although this occurred east of our boundary.
29 June– The Tail-less female (the grandmother of the Tsalala Pride) was seen with one young female (born March 2009) and one young male (born March 2009). The young male was reported to be badly injured.
29 June – 3 Young females were seen in the Manyelethi Drainage line
29 June – 1 Young male was seen from the Varty Camp Deck. Tracks were found from his spot moving in all directions.
29 June- 2 Adult female members of the Tsalala pride were found near the Sand River. From there they were followed up to Ximpalapala Koppies were they lay up for the day.
29 June – Mohawk Male (Satan) was seen with slight injuries in the river. He appeared to be heading north possibly to link up with the females.
29 June – The 4 new males from the Kruger were seen for the first time at Londolozi moving west across Marthly. That night Mohawk Male was seen and heard roaring at Ximpalapala. Not even 2km away the 4 males heard him and started roaring back. Rangers stuck with them and the 4 headed west but so did Mohawk Male head west avoiding conflict.
30 June – In the morning there were tracks of at least 2 males seemingly chasing Mohawk Male west across our boundary. The report from our western neighbor was that Mohawk Male (Satan) joined up with 3 other Mapogo on a Buffalo kill.
30 June- The Tail-less female was seen on our northern break with a young male eating an impala. The kill was thought to have been robbed, possibly from a leopard. The young male seen with them the day before was no longer present and presumed dead.
30 June- 1 very scared young female was seen alone in the open
Later that day we had tracks of the Tail-less female and one young female heading south on Mahlahle Road.
1 July – Tracks of the 4 new males cross east back into MM. They were found far into MM.
Reports of 2 young lions found dead north of our break (still to be confirmed).
Evidence of a fight at Sunrise crossing in the Manyelethi. Vultures circled, the reason being that a dead lioness was reported. Our neighbors tell us that it is the body of a sub-adult lioness. A sad fate but we are encouraged by the fact that the Tail-less Female may still be alive. If this is the case we are confident this pride can pull through.
With every drive out in the bush we are learning more yet at the same time still very uncertain about what is happening. We will keep you posted as the story continues to unfold…
Written by: Adam Bannister
With thanks to bjanderson for their video of the 2 Mapogo Males fighting with the separated coalition member
Thank you so much for this.i I have started keepin track of the lions and am very glad for these updates.
Thank you so much for the updates, I think everyone that knows of these lions are on the edge of our seats waiting for the outcome that may or may not happen. Thank you!!
Many thanks for this information. I watch on Africam every night and following this extrodinary chain of events with huge interest.
I am sure many people will appreciate your time and trouble putting these events in sequence.
Hey guys
That video was taken by a guest on my vehicle. We are also watching and waiting to see what happens next. I’ll watch your blog and try keep up from your side, but if you have anything you need from the North, please feel free. So far we have seen these 4 males a lot more than you guys as they go as far North as the Manyaleti Reserve as well. There has been atleast one Tsalala cub running around up here by herself, so hopefully the adults find her soon.
Ryan Johnston
Arathusa Safari Lodge
Thanks Ryan, appreciate the help. I will relay this info back to the rangers and hopefully you can all keep the channels of communication open as these events unfold.
Take care and enjoy it.
Rich
This is very informative with the dates, names, locations and actions of all the lions and prides involved. This has made it easier follow and understand. And yes, this is a story that is continually unfolding while leaving us to wonder what the finale story will be. Thank you.
Lovely informative blog. Thanks
Adam, thanks for the update, much appreciated
Many thanks for the updates. I would like to know wether it is possible that this carnage between lions is stopped by the park rangers. These beautifull animals are being wasted.
Regards,
John Mizzi
Hi John,
Thanks for you thoughts. This conflict between the lions is completely natural and as such is not stopped by anybody. It is not considered a waste of to see these animals die, it is a natural procession of nature that has been taking place for many thousands, if not millions of years. I know this might seem strange in a world where we have decreasing lion populations, however these animals are naturally hardwired to be dominant and will do what they must to fight for territory. There would still be conflict between then regardless of if we were there or not. At Londolozi we are trying to have as gentle an impact on the environment as possible and this goes for being casual observers of what is unfolding in nature around us. I hope this answers your question as it is one I understand very well, being passionate about lions myself. Please let me know if you would like anymore resources on this topic or have any other questions.
Regards,
Rich Laburn
As always you guys let us guests learn about the wild life in Sabi Sand. My visit to Londolozi 2 years ago is the most impressive experience I have had in my life and this make it even more unbelievable. When you personally have followed this lion morning and evening and now follows there last struggle is like being there withe you, thanks. I tel people around me every day abut the fantastic Londolozi. Tanks again
Thanks Garman, great to hear you had such an unbelievable experience at Londolozi. It makes the unfolding situation even more relevant and dramatic when you have personally seen the animals and spent time with them. Keep posted!!!
Very interesting indeed to hear this story unfold. Thank you so much for the updates. Look forward to hearing more and hopefully seeing some amazing sightings when I visit Londolozi in October!!
It’s a pleasure, I am sure that when you arrive in October there will still be much drama and change. Will keep you updated on what is happening so that you are up to speed when you arrive.
after watching the Mopogo’s kill so many lions themselves, it seems like they are getting payback. But it’s sad to see such grand lions being killed. I will miss following Kinky Tail and Mr. T (Satan)
Many people call it karma, but who knows if it is also true for the lion kingdom. I suppose we just call it the natural order to make it seem less dramatic and violent to our own nature. Yes it is sad to see such grand lions being killed, however as with much of nature everything that dies provides an outlet for something new to grow out of it. Hopefully the remaining lions will still be able to write a few more chapters in this period of the Sabi Sands. Thanks for your thoughts.
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