Six different groups of male lions have been seen on the property in the last couple of months. And these are non-Majingilane males I’m talking about. With the dominant coalition spending the majority of their time in the park’s western reaches, their tenuous hold on their territory’s eastern limits grows ever weaker, and there are some rangers and trackers who believe they may have abandoned the Sparta pride entirely.
The Sparta pride was one of the first prides the Majingilane took over when they arrived in 2010, although it took them a number of months – almost a year in fact – to kill off their cubs and begin mating with the lionesses. In doing so, they eliminated every last link between the Mapogo and the pride. A male lion’s success can be measured by the number of his offspring that survive to reproduce, and in the current Sparta pride, there are four young lions that have a more-than-even chance of making it to adulthood and passing on their genes; one young lioness and three males. With the increasing encroachment of new coalitions into the area, and the Majingilane being conspicuous by their absence in Sparta territory, it seems likely that in the next while the young Sparta males will be driven off into the wilderness to fend for themselves.
Let’s look at who has been pushing into Majingilane territory:
Birmingham Males: 5 lions
A relatively new coalition to the area. Still probably too young to challenge the Majingilane, they have ventured on to Londolozi soil at least once, but were chased off ignominiously by the Majingilane on that occasion. They have been killing buffalo regularly in the north of the Sabi Sands, and over the next year are definitely a coalition to watch out for.
Matimba Males: 6 lions
These males rule the North-east of the Sabi Sands and even further north than that, right up through the Manyelethi Reserve. Although a large coalition, they are not often together. Three of them spend their time further north, two further south, and the sixth is reported to be spending time with a pride in the Kruger Park. Two of these males were seen crossing west into Londolozi along the Sand River about a month ago, scent marking as they went. The next morning their tracks cut back north and east towards their own territory. As there has been no really concerted effort to enter Londolozi, it is unlikely these males are looking to expand properly onto Majingilane territory
Fourways Males: 2 lions
A young coalition that has been seen once or twice around Londolozi’s southern areas. Around 4 or 5 years old. With only two lions to potentially face four Majingilane, it is unlikely that this coalition will represent any kind of a threat for now.
Styx Males: 2 lions
These young males, around 4 years old, who were in fact fathered by the Majingilane, have only been seen once or twice on Londolozi in the past couple of years. A run in between them and the Sparta pride resulted in the deaths of one of the young Sparta males earlier this year, but apart from that incident, their impact on the lion dynamics of Londolozi has been negligible.
Unknown Coalition: 6 lions
A coalition of six young males was seen crossing the Sand River to the east of the Londolozi camps around 10 days ago, heading north. The sighting was called in by one of the Londolozi bush banqueting team, and he reported that they had relatively straggly manes, which suggests young males. No rangers or trackers saw these lions, and in the morning their tracks had crossed east out of Londolozi towards Sithlawayise koppie. Threat level: Unknown
Unknown Coalition: 2 lions
These males were seen briefly this morning in the far south-east reaches of Londolozi. Life Sibuyi and Mike Sithole tracked them on foot and disturbed them where they were resting on the west bank of the Sand River. The lions ran east and swam across the river, looking back towards where we had arrived on the west bank. We were unable to get a good look at them or establish exactly who they were, but their nervous demeanour suggests they originated somewhere in the Kruger Park and are not used to people. Their tracks indicated that they came up from the south. It is of course possible that these were in fact the Fourways males mentioned above, but from the brief glimpse we had it didn’t look like it. One looked like he had a relatively dark mane.
Below are two maps which should help you get a better idea of the area we’re dealing with:
As one can see, the threats are all in the east by default, although if one reads the outlines of the various coalitions above, you will also notice that there does not appear to be a seriously imminent threat to the Majingilane’s rule. It seems that any time an incursion by a rival coalition occurs, the Majingilane are quick to band together and move east to repulse it, and so far no coalition that poses as a serious threat has made any kind of inroads into the area.
We have been discussing the downfall of the Majingilane for awhile now, but it seems unlikely to happen in the next six months at least. The first change I think we are likely to see is the composition of the Sparta pride. I think it’s probable that the young males will be driven off sooner rather than later by a new coalition, and the inevitable chipping away at the edges of the Majingilane territory will start from there.
Any comments or updates on the lion dynamics would be welcome.
Written and Photographed by James Tyrrell
Thanks James, the maps were very helpful and your blog very interesting. I hope the Majingilane will continue on for some time to come. I saw them in Sept. 2013 while at Londolozi and was in awe of their beauty and strength. All this lion activity will definitely be interesting, to watch to see what happens next.
James,
An excellent report. Than you. We wondered about the Sparta Pride, as we saw them on our visit in 2008. The male was getting quite old and there was concern about just how long he could hold onto the pride.
We also appreciate the map and location of neighboring reserves. Seeing the immense territory as a group gives great insight on where the prides and unknowns are located. Thanks. Keep us informed as this scenario plays out.
GREAT stuff JT – tracking lion coalitions and maps? WIN WIN! This is very exciting stuff and although the manjingys remain my sentimental favorite, I do understand the dynamics involved / forces at play here and realize at their age what inevitably lies ahead. 🙁 I like to think they are enjoying their retirement out west with the ladies – every time I see a picture of them they look fat (full) and happy 😉 The Sparta males are also a sentimental favorite, I had opportunity to see them back in August (4) and they left a big impression on me. I am hoping they steer clear of the incoming coalitions and are able to return as adults to take over for their dads. Regarding other Male lions in the area: Are the two remaining Seltai brothers also in the west? I’ve been following the Birmingham males (from afar) and as you say they seem to be a force to reckon with, my money is on them right now. Lastly, the Styx males and the Fourways males are good looking dudes! Thanks again!
This is the sort of article that shows just why Londolozi is so very special. In other words it’s not about a noisy Land Cruiser getting up close and too personal while the driver says “here is a lion”, the scholarship and empathy with the land and it’s wildlife goes right to the heart of the DNA of Londolozi
Thanks for this assessment James T. If the 5 Birmingham males stay together, the next year will be very interesting. I hear they are scent marking and roaring to the north of Majingilane territory. Months ago I did not believe the power of the Majingilane could be realistically threatened any time soon (or that Camp Pan male would be gone before the end of the year). I am thinking a bit differently now.
Camp pan isn’t dead
Thx. Good to know. Sorry I am off topic about the male lion dynamics- but I thought Piva Young Male had displaced Camp Pan. Is he still around his old territory or avoiding it? Has he crossed the Sand River and been hanging out on MM more (he has been sighted some on MM in past)? Anyways I am looking forward to hearing more about these male lion coalitions in 2015 [and maybe a Camp Pan male update at some point]. This is a great blog.
Brian, it does look as though Camp Pan may have finally been displaced, as he was seen near the Londolozi camps the other day for the first time in years. Update coming soon…
Thanks for naming “the boys” in the photo…..I have a huge folder I’ve saved from your site and hopefully will some day will finish an attempt to paint them. Was in Tanzania in Oct.: saw 2 prides with 9 small cubs each, a couple of lone males, and 5 mating pairs. Wish I could make it to Londolozi…….I am grateful for your blog cause I discovered I’m to old for another big trip!
The Birmingham Boys need to mature a bit more, but I predict they will be the ones to dethrone the Majingilanes or take on the Matimbas and win.
I think the majings prime has recently peaked. If the 5 Birminghams can all stay together and alive for another year(give or take), they will become a real presence in the area. I also think they(Birminghams) would have better odds pushing west rather than east. As of now,as an intact fighting unit majings still have the upper hand in any conflicts. The only way I see majings running into any trouble right now is getting cornered while separated,which has been their success story as a coalition. The majings have displayed a superior lion intelligence realizing if they always are together they will live and rule. Any comments or replies welcomed.
Thanks for the comments everyone. It turns out the unidentified coalition seen crossing the Sand River yesterday morning was in fact the Fourways males. Possibly looking to cause trouble in the area…
The Charleston pride has two males that venture off on their own sometimes. Could it be them?
The map with boundaries was really helpful. Maybe in the next article like this you can also include an overlay for the different prides to go along with the male coalitions and game reserves. This is great! Thanks!
James, the two males in the first photo is infact the 2 Charleston males and not the fourways, one of the fourways males have a bit darker mane(majingilane son) .
But i have to say an exellent work on the blog and the map so we can have a god idea of where the sightings wore.
Great enjoy it every time thanks 🙂
Thanks for the update Robin. What are the movements of these two males? Do they still spend time with the female?
James
Thanks for the post James! I read this blog religiously leading up to our trip in July and still read it weekly. Always look forward to the lion warfare pieces as their dynamics and social interactions really intrigue me. Really hope the sparta young males can make it through. They were a favorite while visiting. Also rooting for the majingis to hold on, their story and dominance is impressive.
Thanks James for the information.Now my question is when Life Sibuyi and Mike Sithole tracked them on foot and disturbed the two unknown male lion’s where they were resting on the west bank of the Sand River and the lions ran east and swam across the river, looking back towards where they had arrived on the west bank.These lion’s cannot attack them or the lion’s know that these men are armed?!The Matimba’s used to be 6 and i read somewhere that one of them disappeared.Now i am reading here that the sixth is reported to be spending time with a pride in the Kruger Park.How true is it that the sixth one is still there and i wonder how safe it is for this 6th Matimba on his own.If all the Matimba’s were to reunite i do not think the Birmingham male’s can be a match because Birmingham lack the experience and need another year to reestablish themselves!
Very fascinating account of the different lion dynamics there. I always enjoy the blogs and the responses from followers. It al started being interesting when the Mapogos muscled into the Sabi sands, killed the cubs, sub-adult males and everything else they perceived as a threat to their authority including some females. The Mapogos ruled by tooth and claw as only male lions know how and that is how they died.., by tooth and claw. Then came the 4 Selati Males and now the very dominant Majingilanes and Matimba coalitions. I personally did not like the Majingilanes in the beginning but warmed ip o them as they have always remained united and repulsed all threats to their authority from within and without, thus protecting their hard earned prides, prime hunting grounds and raised many cubs. I however wonder, for how much longer? The ecosystem needs new genes soon or later. I see the Birmingham boys positioning themselves for a shot at both Matimba territory and possibly Majingilanes land. They have the best chance in my opinion but were recently split Up after an apparent scram with the Matimbas. Well, you can not write a script on what male lions are going to do tomorrow and that is what makes them and what they do and not do very interesting. The suspence is more that any movie I have ever watched. Thanks to you, rangers and trackers for the awesome updates.
Any idea on the status of the 2 remaining Selati males? How did the other 2 Selatis die? Where are they now, holding a territory of their own or back to being nomads and not so much eligeable bachelors? Anyone has video of the encouter of Selati and Birmingham boys; Birmingham and Matimba sram?
Great article.I was reading through and thinking these stories would make so much more sense with maps and territories marked on them and then the maps came up. Very handy and makes it all much clearer. It would be very interesting to see a version showing the entire Kruger area (though that would be no doubt very time intensive and I doubt anyone is going to put their hands up for that in a hurry). Looking forward to more posts and getting to Londolozi eventually as well!
The lion dynamics in this region are simply amazing. The large coalitions of males seems uncommon but it required in this land of lion warfare. It is great to see so many surviving to adulthood in spite of the odds being stacked against them. These are the only such detailed accounts of lion family lineage that I am aware of. It is a real life drama of true lion life being told. Please keep us updated. This us amazing stuff !
It is interesting to look back less than six months ago and see that Fourways were just stepping in. From what I have been reading lately they are seen pretty regularly now. I am hoping that is the case and I get to see them when i am there in September.
I think the coalition of two unknown and nervous males mentioned here was the Matshapiri coalition
Quite possibly!