Cubs. The bottom line when it comes to male lions. Without surviving offspring to pass on their genes, male lions cannot be considered successful. No matter how big the coalition, no matter how big their territory, no matter how many other lions they kill or buffalo they bring down, if a coalition of males or even a single male fails to reproduce and have those cubs survive to reproduce themselves, nature shall consider them a failure.
The Mapogo were the coalition that preceded the Majingilane. Notoriously violent male lions, their reign of terror lasted around six years as their legend spread, but when viewed objectively, they were rather unsuccessful according to the criterion above. In-fighting and the killing of litters that their coalition-mates fathered meant that when they were finally dethroned in 2012, there weren’t many offspring surviving that could still claim to be part of the Mapogo bloodline.
The four Mhangeni lionesses were sired by the Mapogo, and the combination of these genes as well as those of the Majingilane that fathered the current young lions in the pride could make for a formidable coalition in years to come.
Yet when we look at the current lion population in the Sabi Sands, nowhere else are the genes of the Mapogo prominent. As fathers, and therefore protectors, we have to look elsewhere for shining examples, and we need look no further than the Mapogos’ usurpers, the Majingilane.
The Scar-nosed Majingilane’s breath fogs the chilly winter’s air on yet another patrol through Londolozi.
At first count – and my maths is bad – I can think of at least 21 offspring currently alive and over two years old that this coalition has fathered. And this does not include cubs from the prides in the west that the Majingilane took over in the last year. The Styx males, at least one of the Fourways males (possibly both), four Tsalala offspring and the young lioness, four young lions in the Sparta pride and the nine Mhangeni sub-adults (although I have heard reports that this number may be down to eight now) are all Majingilane offspring that have a more-than-even chance at making it to maturity.
Brothers in arms. The Dark-mane Majingilane, the unspoken leader of the coalition, scent marks in response to the encroachment of the Matshipiri males.
Among the younger lions, most notably Mhangeni and Tsalala, the young males are still most certainly not out of the woods, and the older Sparta young males are about to be kicked out of the territory for good. With about one out of every eight male cubs surviving to maturity, one can appreciate that not all of these males may make it to breeding age, but the Majingilane, in protecting the pride territories for as long as they have, have given them as good a chance as they could have.
Two of the Sparta young males. The Majingilane have protected the territory in which these three-year-olds have been raised, and it is now almost time for them to strike out on their own. They face an uncertain future.
Father and son. The Majingilane with the missing canine exhibits the flehmen grimace, testing the scent of the nearby Tsalala lionesses.
The young lionesses, destined to stay with their prides, have a good chance of surviving to sexual maturity, and with eight of them potentially breeding within the next couple of years, the genes of the Majingilane seem to be on a firm wicket.
So on Father’s Day, even as the Majingilane themselves look to fade into oblivion over the next couple of years, we can still celebrate their legacy, and acknowledge the genetic success they seem destined to achieve.
Written and Photographed by James Tyrrell, Filmmaker and Writer
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Great blog and tribute to a Great Success story. I hope they hold on long enough for the younger cubs to make it to independence.
Nice blog…Thanks!…This month marks 5 years of Majingilane dominance. Hope to see them hold on for a bit longer especially with new threats coming in from the east like the Matshipiri males who seem to be bent on revenge…there are some reports that they might be the long lost Othowa males since whiskers patterns from old pics seem to match. If this is true, this means they are the brothers of the current Othowa females and sons of the Mapogos, which makes it an interesting twist to this saga.
I for one, really hope that the Matshipiri Males have the Mapogo blood in their veins, that would be a nice legacy 🙂
James you forgot about the 3 Othawa girls they are Mapogo daughters. There is some speculation that the Matshapiri males might be the Othawa males from 2007 Mapogo sons that left in 2011 I for one have seen pictures and dont believe too be so. Great blog
Ah, the Majingilane boys. They too, are on my bedroom wall. In fact, Scarface & One Tooth are looking at me right now. Can’t wait to see them again.
Wonderful news on Father’s Day! I too hope they survive until I visit again to see them for myself.
Great blog, images and especially love the video James! The Majingilane are incredible to see — I hope their reign lasts a while longer and their cubs all make it to independence. I wish a very happy Father’s Day to all the Dads at Londolozi!
Interesting blog James. Great video.
Thanks James, very nice blog.
There are also the 2 Young Styx-females sired by Majingilanes, and now breeding with the Southern Matimbas. One lioness already has cubs, the other hopefully soon.
it is not easy to be a male lion . estimated adult male lions make up only one per cent of the whole wild lion population.
Happy Fathers day to all the fathers of Londoolozi, each one is important!
In your offspring count, don’t forget the sisters of the Styx males, one of whom has given the Majingilane their first grandcubs.
Wonderful Father’s Day blog!! My daughter and I didn’t get to see the Majingilane when we visited Londolozi in May, but we did get to see the newcomers (2 males/1 female). We do hope to see the big boys when we return!!
don’t forget the 2 younger females from the styx pride that broke off from the original pride. Also, the sister of one of the fourways male
Wonderful blog, thank you James. I loved the video & wish the youngsters a long healthy life 🙂
Aww, what a fantastic blog and what wonderful pictures. It is amazing to hear how many offspring they have. I only had the opportunity to “meet” Scar Nose but I can’t wait to see him again, and hopefully all of his brothers the next time I come back. I sure hope they are still in power then. Happy Father’s Day to the Majingilane and to all the human Fathers out there as well.
Can’t wait to see the young ones next month. So please that so many have survived. We were there when they were tiny!