The Mohawk male has not been seen at Londolozi for over a month. In mid-june he moved through the property, limping along the paths and keeping a low profile. He went west and reformed a coalition with the other Mapogos in the Western Sector. The last time the Mapogos were seen together on Londolozi was on July 5. The 5 males killed and ate a buffalo by Ximpalapala Koppies.
As it stands, it looks as though the remaining Mapogos seem content to hold territory in the western sector. Could it be possible that they have temporarily ceded control of the eastern Sabi Sands to the new Majingilane coalition? I would love to hear your thoughts on this angle of the story.
The Mohawk male has deserted the two independent lionesses of the Sparta pride with their 2 small cubs. These Sparta females and cubs are presently moving around the central to eastern sector of Londolozi searching for some form of stability.
The Sparta pride remains in the central and southern areas of the Londolozi. This pride does occasionally move west, however this is not where they spend the majority of their time. The members comprise of 1 large male (Tsalala Young Male male 5-6 years), 1 lionesses and 7 sub-adults.
The recent arrival of 3 males from Toulon in the south has also stirred up the pride dynamics. It has shifted the Sparta and Southern prides closer together in the central area of Londolozi. These 3 males have not met with the new Majingilane coalition but they have put pressure on the Southern pride.
The Southern pride have partially split owing to pressure from the 3 males from the south. The pride is occasionally seen together but more often than not they are split up into small fragments. The overall pride still maintains 14 members. 1 dominant male, 3 sub-adult males, 9 lionesses with sub-adult cubs.
The Tsalala pride has moved into Ottowa/Ravenscourt territory. The pride only lost 2 cubs during the mayhem in June/July. There still remains 3 lionesses (including the tailless female) and 6 cubs. A young male from the Tsalala pride was seen this last week moving through Marthly just north of the Sand River. He was looking very thin and trying to hunt baby chicks. He was last seen moving east towards the Manyelethi. This is video footage of him filmed during that sighting.
This footage of two of the Majingilane males was filmed over the weekend. They had killed a buffalo and calf by the Ximpalapala koppies. This is as far west as they have let their territory expand. Their territory is consistently from this western point down to the Sand river, all the way along into our eastern neighbours and more than likely into the Kruger National Park. The territory presumably extends northwards towards the northern Sabi Sands border and through the Gowrie section.
These two males are not shy to move large distances as they were seen in the central area of Londolozi last week. The Sparta pride had killed a buffalo near Dudley Camp, only to be robbed by the Southern pride. Later on that day, the three Majingilane males arrived and cleaned up the rest of the carcass.
The third Majingilane male was last heard to be mating with one of the Styx females, north east of our Gowrie boundary. The final Majingilane male is presumed to be roaming around searching for his three brothers.
In July, there were two different sightings of independent males, both called in as the Golf Course Male. These sightings cannot be confirmed as being of this male. As far as our rangers and trackers are aware the Golf Course Male has not been seen on Londolozi in over a month. A lower jaw bone with teeth was found by one of the rangers on the Northern break. It is unconfirmed which lion this is, although we think it could be one of the Styx pride young lions that was killed. There was a large amount of male lion hair found by with the lower jaw bone.
The last month has seen a temporary calm settle over the lion dynamics in the Sabi Sands. With the ever changing nature of the wilderness, things could shift once again shift overnight. We would love to hear your thoughts, comments, feedback and any additions you might have to this information. Your contribution is much appreciated.
Thanks to the Londolozi Ranging Team for their input.
We can’t be sure of the developments as Idube has just Reported that Two Mapogos(probably Dreadlocks and the Mapogo with bent Spine) spent the night roaring and then crossed the Eastern Boundary in the morning ,Remember on the 8th July it was this previously injured Mapogo with bent spine and his Twin brother(Rasta) who had gone East when Fighting was heard on Elephant plains and the Twin Rasta Mapogo is still missing and presumed dead, so it seems that though Mapogos are now down to only 4 males but still they are Reluctant to give up Eastern Sabisands to Majingilanes ,It may also have been that these two Twin Mapogos had been attacked by Majingilanes on 8th July in the East and now after recovering the Twin Mapogo and Dreadlocks Mapogo have gone East to take Revenge of their Two Brothers (Rasta Mapogo & Kinky Tails) Death from Majingilanes,Please keep us updated on any new developments between Majingilanes and Mapogos in the East.
Thanks for sharing!!
Sheila
We were there that week…and watched these two brothers relax after their meal. It was amazing to follow the brother through the brush to his “hidden” kill. Our trip to Londolozi was spactacular… I am happy to continually relive its highlights
Thanks for your comments Sue, I’m glad that you were able to see the sighting in person and experience a small part of the unfolding story taking place. There will be more highlights to follow.
Rich
Hello,
I need to ask..with the Majins in the East and the Mapogos in the West, was hoping somebody could tell me the distance that separates the two coalitions. I’ve always wondered how they patrol and how close they get to each others territories over distance covered. Also, whats the status and health of Makulu Mapogo and the rest of the coalition? Would surely appreciate some info.
Thanks
Al
Hi al,
Lion territories aren’t always defined by a single boundary. More often than not, different males will have territories that overlap one another in certain places. This overlapping is the loose boundary which begins to define the territories. This boundary can be shared and occupied by neighboring males at different times or at the same time, which often results in territorial battles (as we saw in mid-June when the new males rolled in). As far as we know at Londolozi, this boundary area between the Mapogos and the Majingilanes is around Ximpalapala Koppies on western Marthly. East is Majingilane and West is Mapogo. It has been a while since the Mapogos were seen there so the distance separating the coalitions is a good few kilometers at present.
Lions, males in particular, are able to roam vast distances, particularly around their own territories. Depending on the size of territory determines the distances roamed. As such I cannot give you an accurate answer about the distances currently being covered.
I am also not sure what the status is on the Makulu male as he is in the West. The rest of the Mapogo coalition seems to be staying in the west and occupying unchallenged territory there. As a dominant coalition they are starting to reach the end of their prime and as such I believe they may not come out of the west other than to defend it.
How does all the above information sit with you? Any new thoughts or questions?
Rich
Richard,
Hey thanks a ton for the info. Didn’t expect it so soon. I unexpectedly came across this whole story of the Mapogos of Londolozi watching a YouTube video of John Varty sneaking up on a resting male lion. He gave a bit of introduction about the cat, I typed it in Google and was instantly introduced to a world of awe and violence as I have never researched lions like this before.
The Makulu Mapogo intrigues me like nothing else. He seems larger than most lions. Any specifics about his size and weight – estimate? Also, what about the other three lions, with the exception of Mr_t/SATAN? How are they holding on especially their physical conditions? I’d be overjoyed to see recent pics if any.
Once again, much appreciation for such a swift and well put response.
Regards
Al
Al, glad you found the information interesting. I know the video that you are talking about with JV sneaking up on the resting male. 😉
As mentioned in the previous comment, I know nothing about the wellbeing of the Makulu male, however the following links will be helpful to you in furthering your research. You can try Rob the Ranger here: http://www.facebook.com/robtheranger or try Idube blog here http://idubelodge.blogspot.com/. There is also the Wildearth community to discuss Mapogo information, find them here: http://idubelodge.blogspot.com/. There should be people there who will be able to give you estimations of his size, weight, etc. BUt off the top of my head, you’re looking at 200 – 240 kg. Anything over 250kg is a very big male lion.
You will also be able to find recent pics of them on these resources. If they venture onto Londolozi anytime soon, I will definitely put some pics and video up.
At present we have the Majingilanes moving throughout much of our central and northern areas. It will be worth understanding a following this coalition of males as well. They will certainly play their part in Sabi Sands history. You can find more resources on them here: http://blog.londolozi.com/2010/08/lion-warfare-an-update-part-4/
Please let me know how it goes and continue to contribute to the blog with your questions, thoughts and discussion. It is great to be able to provide answers to you and everybody else who is reading this.
Rich
Good man
Excellent. I had messaged Rob earlier, was able to acquire some specific information from him about the status of the Mapogos. I’ve checked out Mala Mala Cyber D along with the above mentioned blogs. FANTASTIC. I most certainly am following the Majins story as it plays out and will continue to follow through with thoughts and questions accordingly.
Do look forward to image and video updates. I have to thank you much for such continuous efforts and contributions.
Al