For the last year the Sparta Pride have been on the back foot continually running away and avoiding any conflict with the four Majingilane Males. Seldomly seen venturing near their traditional hunting fields of the past in fear that they will be met by a show of force! That has all now changed…
The Sparta Lionesses have finally accepted these ‘new’ males and have decided that they are worthy of fathering their next litter and continuing the precious Sparta Pride lineage. We have been very privileged over the last few days to watch various members of the depleted Sparta Pride mating with all the members of the notorious Majingilanes. This is the best possible news that could come out of Londolozi at the moment as it means that not only will tension levels drop; but we potentially have new cubs in the pipeline. It also means that the Sparta Pride will be freed up to move back into the heart of Londolozi and so sightings of this wonderful pride will become more regular.
Dark manned Majingilane Male by Adam Bannister
It is however sadly not the best news for the surviving Sparta Young Males and the much loved Tsalala Young Male. These males now have no option but to unite and run! There is no longer any space for these males at Londolozi and I fear that their days are numbered…
Majingilane with the scarred nose mating with the light coloured Sparta Lioness by Adam Bannister
Could this be the satisfied look of an expecting mother?
Written and photographed by: Adam Bannister
Filmed by: Daniel Buys
Hi all,
I have only just recently been reading these articles but i’m a great fan of the big cats. The story seems facinating with all these large coalitions around. But you do have to feel sorry about the small guy. Can somebody give me a quick update as to the state of all the Male lion colalitions.
Mopogo’s – are there still 3 aged lions left?
Manjigilanes – Would these be classed as the dominant ones at present?
Who else is joining up with who?
Why are these coalitions all so large? In BCD there always 2 males.
This has been a great read so far. Keep up the great work.
I know where i will be going on holiday to now.
Jamie
Would it be safe to say that the majings have conceded the djuma area to the matimbas?
Hi Jamie and Francis….okay where to start…
Mapogos…yes there are only 3 left. We had them on Londolozi a couple of nights ago however tracks showed us that by the following morning they had returned back west thus a true indicator that indeed Majingilane are in control. Add to that the fact that majingilane have mated and sired cubs with Tsalala, Styux and Sparta means the females reckon they are here to stay. As far as why the coalitions are so large I am not sure I can truely answer that. If you look back on the origins of the Mapogo there were 6 males. Since then all the coalitions have had to be large to keep up. Its almost like an evolutionary arms race in that nowadays a coalition of 2 males in the Sabi Sands will have little chance! As far as Matimba Males; i am yet to see these males and as far as we know they have not been as far south as londolozi. The Majingis seem to be spending more time further south so I reckon the Matimbas may be doing well north of us…but time will tell! Exciting for all of us… enjoy reading and keep checking for updates!
Thanks for the information Adam. I will be following your blogs now with great interest.
which Majingilane Male Lion
big in size ? and which one is dominated?
The black maned male and the scar faced male are the two most dominant Majingilane males.