Things are heating up here in the bush, both temperature wise and in terms of lion dynamics. We recently received news that the four Southern Pride Males killed the last Othawa Young Male just west of our boundary. Although this is sad news it was not all that surprising. To be a male lion in the Sabi Sands at the moment is an extremely tough ask! Coalitions in the central and northern Sabi Sands now include the Mapogo, Majingilane, Matimba, Southern and Nkuhumas.
Here at Londolozi we have been following the movements of the 6 Matimba Males as they look to push their boundaries south into the territory of the Majingilane; as of yet we have not viewed these ‘new’ males but have heard them roaring not far north of us. The worrying thing is that the four Majingilane Males are spending less and less time together as a unit, with members being side-tracked by their new love affair with the Sparta Pride Lionesses.
Potentially all the females in the Sparta pride are now pregnant but the males will just not leave them alone! It is not surprising for us to find the four males spread out over many kilometers, sometimes even alone. This is leaving them exposed on all fronts and one feels now, more than ever, that perhaps they have bittern off more then they can chew!
It has been ages since the Majingilane Males were viewed with the Tsalala Pride in the northern parts of Londolozi. This is cause for concern as the Tsalala sisters have 8 cubs who are not far from the area in which the Matimba Males now patrol.They need the protection of the Majingilanes now more than ever. News from friends north of us suggest that the Matimba Males spend most of their time together and this single trait could be crucial. It is about time that the Majingilane Males start to prove their worth…they need to stick together and face their greatest challenge thus far.
Below I have put some close up pictures of the four Majingilane Males. Their faces tell tales of countless battles, perfect examples of how pictures speak louder than words.
The Dark Maned male - Adam Bannister
The Male with the Blonde/Golden Mane - Adam Bannister
The Male with the Scattered Scars - Adam Bannister
The Scar Nosed Male - James Tyrrell
The four Majingilane Coalition Males - Adam Bannister
Written by Adam Bannister
Photographs by Adam Bannister and James Tyrrell
And to think that just last year we thought the Majingi’s were going to be the force to be reckoned with. How quickly it can change.
Thanks for the updates!
Good shots .
amazing pics
Which males are biggest in size?
Hi Paul, are you referring to the individual males in the Majingilane coalition or the sizes between the different coalitions?
Between the different coalitions?
The old mapogo male (Makhulu) seems to be a very big male lion but is he big compared to the other Coalition of males?
Hi Adam, the killed young Ottawa Male was the 18 month old sub adult, the survivor of the last litter of the 2 older Ottawa females (who both have been killed, one by a buffalo and one by a poacher snare). That leaves the 3 young Ottawa females and the 2 young Ottawa Males (from the first litter sired by the Mapogos). These 5 lions are now close to 4 years old. The young Ottawa Males have also started a nomadic live and form therefore another coalition of male lions while doing well so far. The 2 young Ottawa Males, the 2 Nkuhuma Males, the 4 Southern Males and the young Styx Male are a not the only groups of “Border Boys” between the established territories of Matimbas, Majingilanes, Mapogos and the 2 KNP Males in the South. 2 of the Toulon Males and the Sparta Coalition of 3 males (Solo and the 2 young Eyrefield Males) seem to roam in the central and southern parts of Sabi Sands. Indeed interesting times ahead!
I believe there is one more coalition…the sub-adult Sparta males…I’m not sure but I think they have ventured off along with Solo (Tsalala male). You could correct me on this.
I have another question…what’s the average territory (in square kilometers) of a lion pride? And what is it for a male coalition?
Reading and witnessing all these interactions, hyena, leopard, rhino, elephant, warthog, lion, young/ old, sister/brother, mother/father and orphan…it’s amazing to me there are still poeple who don’t think animals feel emotion! They are amazing to watch and learn from..it’s the best story ever!
I thought the Matimbas only stay at Djuma? Are they venturing further south now? Also, it seems like the Majingis are just ignoring the challenge from the Matimbas?
We were in Londolozi October 2009. Wondered if any of these males would have been the young we saw then.
Hi Julia, the 4 Majingilane Males only arrived in Londolozi in roughly May 2010 so prior to that it would have been other lions. If what you saw were very young lions then they may have been part of the Tsalala Pride, if they were older then that but still quite young it may have been members of the Sparta Pride. Hope that helps 🙂
Great protectors. Hope they could stay on top for another 2-3 years n let all the cubs make it to adulthood. If that does indeed happen, it’d say that they’re the most successful males to leave their genes behind.
Which Majingilane Males are biggest in size and who is dominate ?
the dark mane male