As mentioned a short while back the Sparta Pride appears to be on the mend. The one lioness has two cubs that are thought to have been born around September this year…they are incredibly cute. They play around with not a care in the world, oblivious to the chaos that surrounds them.
Two days ago we had a fascinating sighting that really did strike me as unusual. Now, I have watched the Tsalala Pride Female’s and their cubs at length and observed their behaviour around the Majingilane Coalition Males. It seems as though whenever there is just one of the four brothers they are relaxed and happy to let their youngsters play around, biting and climbing on top of dad. As soon as a second male is present the entire feeling changes…the mothers become agitated and tense. When a third male appears the mothers will protect their youngsters as they run away for cover. And when on the very rare occasion it does happen that the four brothers unite with the pride; the Tsalala Pride bolts leaving trails of dust as they flee. They will not tolerate the four brothers near their cubs.
My take on this behaviour is that the mothers are uncertain about how the fathers will react when the other males bring their testosterone levels to the mix. The unpredictability of the males means it is not worth the risk. Just the slightest quarrel could lead to the death of the precious cargo. I thought this was how females, cubs and large coalitions operated.
That was until I watched the Sparta Pride…the new mother appears to be exceptionally relaxed around the big males. So much so that we had the four males, a great sighting in itself, together with the two Sparta Females and their two female cubs. The cubs ran around playing whilst the lioness slept relatively unconcerned about the males, their bushy manes and their testosterone.
Try as I may I cannot figure out for the life of me why the two prides should treat these males so differently when in the presence of the fathers. I would love to hear your opinions on this piece of lion behaviour and whether you have had any experiences…have your’s been Tsalala or Sparta type reactions?
Three of the four Majingilane Males just prior to crossing the Sand River - Adam Bannister
Written, filmed and photographed by Adam Bannister
The only thing I can think of that might help to account for these two very different sets of reactions is this: The Sparta female appeared to be alone; her greatest protection was in a lack of aggression and protectiveness. The Tsalala females were larger in numbers and could protect the young. Sometimes I think that the lionesses “provoke” the testosterone laden males by their behaviors. Perhaps the males think, “Ah, they are protecting the young; perhaps there should be a reason.” Sorta like when my cats have their paws on a toy… if I move to take it away, their claws come out to hold what is “theirs”.. If I just let them be, they could care less that the toy is beneath their paws. I hope this makes sense.
I understand what you are saying Jody and thanks for your comment…what you cant see in the video though is that there are two sparta females there! I have seen it many times when there are two Tsalala females and yet still they run away. There is something interesting going on. Different approaches to raising cubs…
Perhaps the tsalala pride rembers the coalition decimating their almost adult cubs and killing off numerous sub-adults? Maybe it just makes them a bit nervous-two lionesses can take one adult male, two they are at a terrible disadvantage and more than that, they have no chance? But for the Sparta, it was the Mapogos that went after their sub-adults?
I guess it is routine for males to kill any cubs they have not sired, but maybe the females are not too happy about it and remember it well for a long time. I have horses and my horse was very close to another one for years. They moved out of state and came back three years later. They immediately took up where they had left off. No new horse introductions-she certainly did remember.
Could it be that scent off the other pride is in the air, posibly due to the other male(s) spending more time with the other pride.
Another thought was that maybe the more dominant off the 4 males is father to the sparta cubs and the lioness realise this and feel more secure around them.
Could it be that the Sparta cubs are female, while there are male cubs in the Tsalala offspring? Also, since the Tsalala have been subject to so many devastating attacks, and the one female has lost another litter and two of this group, they are just a tad defensive? AND, perhaps these babes aren’t all Majingilane…only the moms know for sure, right?
These are all very good comments. the truth is I don’t now the answer. Both prides have had torrid times of late and both have had family members killed by the Majingilanes. The only difference I can see is that the Sparta cubs are female and the Tsalala cubs are female AND male? Who knows if that is enough of a reason to warrant this behaviour difference.
which Majingilane is the dominant off the 4 males ?
A great question which I still don’t think we can solidly answer. I have spent much time with them and it appears, at least in my opinion to change, usually between the male with the dark mane and the hip scar male.
Hi Adam, is the female from the Sparta pride having the 2 cubs one of the 3 young females, or one of the 2 older females? Young females tend to be rather unconcerned about their cubs, sometimes even “mindless”. Older females do know much better what may or may not happen and consequentely take care much more. The other point is about bonding. How much time have the Tsalala females spent with the 4 males prior to giving birth? Or was it rather just a sexual affair, quick and productive? From the reports it seems the Majingilane Males have spent quite some time with the Sparta lionesses over the last months. May be bonding level is highter? Overall lions are individual characters, acting differently in similar situations.
Dear Adam,
I love you stories, photos and comments about the Majingilanes and am always eagerly waiting news.
I am also wondering and searching for any news as regards their family bonds and relations. One very controversial thing is the issue about dominance. I have read, over the months, many different comments, e.g. I have read about 3 different Majingilanes being the least dominant ones. The one never stated was DarkMane. Even in the recent report about feeding on a wildebeest, it was said that HipScar had to wait his feeding turn after the BlackNose Majingilane and the one with scattered scars had fed. I am not there nor am I an expert, I just have a feeling that dominance may sometimes depend on the situation, mood or actual confidence of the lion, and especially of the family bonds with a pride in question. For example, it seems that the DarkMane is spending much time with the Styx females, that the DarkMane and HipScar spend quite some time in Simbambili or EP, while I have not read such reports or seen photos of the others there. But maybe these 2 spend more time with other females/prides. That is why your informations are always precious to learn about these individuals. I am particularly interested to know more about the one with scattered scars. I have read and seen photos of all others mating except him.
Peter and Patrik you both make excellent points. Fascinating was that last night the 2 Tsalala females again had quite a serious run in with two of the Majingilane. Completely different behaviour from the two Sparta Females… im not sure this has to do with the age of the mothers but the point about the time spent bonding may be valid. The more I think about it the more I reckon the Majingilane Sparta Bond is stronger…the males spend a lot of time with this pride. The Majingilane Tsalala relationship has been more fleeting and more physical, if that makes sense. Maybe the Tsalala females are only tolerant enough to let them be the fathers but that is where the tolerance ends! Patrik in terms of dominance I have always been very hesitant to state any order or hierarchy between the males. I completely agree that it is situation dependent and think that it changes often. Initially at Londolozi we used to see Dark Mane the most often, that has now changed as he is the one that is often missing from the scene. Im not sure whether we can claim who is the man in charge of this group!
Dear Adam, thanks for your comments. It is a good thing that you don’t state things that are not 100% clear, and I think maybe it’s a good thing that there is no clear order of dominance. Thus each individual gets his share and is happy.
I think ‘Dark Mane’ was the one I sent you video of that we took back in June. He had separated form them then and was on his way back…and they called all night! 🙂 Do love that sound…
On anothe note, their was a ‘pride of 5’ when we were there and I am having difficulty figuring out who they are…4 males/1 female all siblings (I believe), and certainly had not a care in the world while they lounged….They were young, but not babes….can you shed some light on who they are/were, where they are now?
Hi
Are the Majingilane Males as big as the mapogo males?
Hi, Paul
Body wise, the mapogos are bigger.
So a match between Majingilane Males vs Mapogo males would be advantage for the old guys Mapogoas?
Are the Matimba males as big as Majingilane Males?
Body wise, I think the Matimbas are bigger than the Majingilanes. I believe Adam made a comment before that individually, theres nothing special with the Majingilanes, but they well extremely well as a coalition. Probably the smartest coalition out there.
I only count 3 of them? Am I missing one?
Paul, I think the Majingilanes are bigger than the Mapogos, may be with the exception of the oldest of the Mapogo coalition, the unrelated male called Makulu in the Western Sector of the Sabi Sands (where the 3 remaining Mapogos are still holding their turf).
Well, I have seen all 6 of the Mapogos in their earlier years, not the biggest males in the Sabi Sands (…), while I have not seen the Majingilanes. But there was an interesting comparison of 2 lion skulls. One belongs to the 5th Majingilane Male killed by 2 Mapogos, and the 2nd one belongs to one of the Mapogos (Kinky Tail). The skull of the Majingilane Male (only 4 years old by the time he was killed) is significantly larger than the Mapogo skull.
The Majingilanes and the Mapogos had their battle in summer 2010, 4 Majingilanes met with 5 Mapogos. The Majingilanes killed one of the Mapogos and badly injured a second one … the other 3 Mapogos turned tail.
The Majinigilane Males are obviously formidable males just entering their prime. Not too long ago 3 of them chased off 4 of the Matimbas and it seems that both coaltions are happy campers in their respective large territories.
Ty for your answer Peter.
What i have heard Makulu was never in the fight with the Majingilanes male when kinky tail was killed is that true? I wonder what the outcome would have been if he was with his brothers.
2011 have been a year without big fights between the diffrent males “prides” and that is great i think.
Paul, when Kinky Tail was killed only 2 Mapogos were around, Kinky Tail and his brother called Mr. T/Mohawk. Apparently Kinky Tail took on all 4 Majingilanes all by himself when these young males decided that “silly season is over” and mauled him to death (Mr. T came for his rescue, but too late and was chased off his territory finally).
During the mentioned battle between the 5 Mapogos (Kinky Tail was killed a few weeks earlier) and the 4 Majingilanes the oldest male, Makulu, was present. During that confrontation the Mapogo called “Rasta” was killed by the Majiniglanes and his brother “Pretty Boy” (the 2 were also called “The Twins”) was badly injured (some nasty spine bites, he was presumed dead also but returned a few weeks later). The only other male of the Mapogos showing fresh battle scars at that point was Mr.T/Mohawk. The other 2, Makulu and Dreadlock, seemed to have avoided physical contact (…).
And yes, no battles between the dominant males means more stability within the lion population. Everybody should be pleased with the Majingilane Males, they are strong and productive. I think there are currently 16 cubs sired by these males alive & kicking, and many more are “in the pipeline” (the youngest Styx female may give birth in the nearer future as well as the other 4 Sparta females).
Hi Paul,
There was’nt a confrontation between the mapogos and majingilane after Kinky Tails death, no one can confirm rasta being killed by them either, it’s largely underdtood the majingilane ran off into the kruger area.
Everybody really interested in Lion Warfare needs to go to FB on the Mapogo Coalition of Lions page and see the video footage of Kinky Tail being actually killed while trying to be saved by Mr.T. Unbelievable. Video posted by Karin.
The killing of kinky tail have never been filmed?
There is actually a video of it, Paul. Mr. T did try but ran away as soon as he noticed that it was a lost cause. What I actually want to see is if there a video of the Rasta and Pretty boy against the majingilanes.
https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment?view=att&th=1348335fea072dea&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P8BY6w_E3CqL3Ro2PFq3bOr&sadet=1325051314810&sads=RxVujrODoPnuJBS3wVSbH3lkovs&sadssc=1
picture of 4 majingis mauling kinky tail
i can’t seen the picture or the video ….hey Francis what can i do to watch the pic. or the video?
Could it be as simple as the Tsalala know something the Majingilane don’t like possible none of them are the fathers?? And the Tsalala knowing this gets more and more nervous when more then one is there? Weren’t the Tsalala girls chased around by the Matimba males at one point?? Just saying female lions are very smart, do what they have to do to get there cubs grown. it is not unheard of passing a cub off as another males offspring esp if they were mating with different coalitions in the area……..something to think about…lol