It’s quite a sight. Any lion in the wild is a sight enough to immediately get the adrenaline flowing and therefore a pride of lions is a sight which can even be overwhelming. To see a tightly woven family structure consisting of confident lionesses and their offspring, as one unit, brings a sudden realisation of their predatory ability and potential power in numbers. This is present even more so in the Mhangeni pride made up of an impressive thirteen individuals.
Before anything else is said about this pride I feel obliged to praise their success, as has been done many times before, by updating that all nine of their early-2013 youngsters are still alive and present with the lionesses. This almost unprecedented feat still manages to capture my disbelief, especially in an area where the majority of lion cubs born are not expected to survive their first two years. On the fast approach to three years of age, the now sub-adults have had their few experiences of being split from each other as well as from the lionesses many times, and each new sighting of them finds the rangers and trackers eagerly counting on our fingers with expectation of falling short of thirteen. This continues not to be the case. And despite more than one unfamiliar and non-paternal coalitions finding their way through Mhangeni territory at any given time, the survival of all nine youngsters is an ongoing celebration.
Two weeks ago, and all thirteen were finally reunited. A short thunderstorm the night before left this standing water which they all drank from after moving off their buffalo carcass. Photograph by Sean Cresswell.
Pride dynamics are incredibly scattered at the moment. The Matimba males are regularly occupying Tsalala pride territory and sending the pride scattered throughout the northern properties. Frequent visits from the Matshipiri males and the Sparta lionesses further south, have meant that the Mhangeni pride have had dangerous surroundings recently.
Up until two weeks ago, there was huge concern over the Mhangeni pride’s survival as their tracks indicated two, and at times even three, separate portions of meandering groups attempting to find each other after a possible run-in with the marauding Matimba males. Eventually, and to our relief, one morning brought us a beautiful rediscovery of the pride in full force, finishing off the remains of a very large buffalo (only just enough food for the four lionesses and already sizeable youngsters), all looking pleased to be back together and with somewhat full bellies.
Since then, the pride has interestingly moved far east, steadily exploring the currently vacant Tsalala territory; the original homeland and birthplace of the four lionesses before the 2010 breakaway. Despite the Matimba males both being along the banks of the Sand River for the entirety of this week, the Mhangeni pride has remained nearby, in the central property, hunting every night.
By midmorning, lions generally seek shade and a comfortable place to sleep but the Mhangeni pride continued to hunt and explore Tsalala territory well into the hot days. This young female is looking much like the adult lionesses already, and in a much greener world this week. Photograph by Sean Cresswell.
By late morning the pride had settled in some shade. Clearly it’s no longer possible to differentiate the young males and females from the adult lionesses at first sight. Look for mohawks and belly spots to start… Photograph by Callum Gowar.
This may just be an opportunistic act of adventure and exploration into an otherwise occupied territory, and the pride may return back into the west any day. But for now, it is a privilege to have fairly regular sights of a powerful pride making history. A pride which keeps the team guessing but continues to inspire us with their unbreakable unity and commitment to succession.
Written by Sean Cresswell, Londolozi Ranger
Photographed by Sean Cresswell and Callum Gowar
The four Mapogo daughters were taught well by BB, they are doing a great job !
Hi Sean,
I’m just wondering whether the young Sparta-male was with the Mangheni-pride or not?
Precisely what I wanted to know!
Hi Patrik and Ricardo
Yes, at the time these recent photographs were taken (mid- to late-November) the young Sparta male was with the pride, an interesting story and potential blog post all on its own. At the time of this Mhangeni pride update, the breakdown of the pride was 13, including the young Sparta male; as one of the lionesses has been spending time apart and presumably denning. This is a vulnerable time for the lioness and her litter, and explains her recent absence.
However, the pride still remains with a surviving 9 offspring, reaching sub-adult age, and may even be seen to more further successful in the fact that they have adopted another sub-adult.
Thank you for your comments and questions, we will keep you updated with the outcome of the separated lioness and her potential litter!
Thank you for the updates, Sean! It’s really great news that the Sparta boy is still with the pride. Hope he and the whole pride stay safe.
The 4 lionesses have done an outstanding job of keeping their cubs safe….so fantastic to see! Great update Sean and beautiful images Sean and Callum.
Always a privilege to have & see heathy pride of lions with their successfully grown Cubs .
So gratifying to see a story about a flourishing pride of lions all looking so healthy and content.
Having had the privilege of photographing these young cubs in October 2013, I am overjoyed to see that they are alive and well! Thank you so much for this great news!
Bonnie, that is so special to see them so far down the line and be pleasantly surprised with a full attendance!
about the mapogo clan are their genes still within the lioness and how did the tailless lioness pass away? i must admit that Mr T and kinky tail was the heart of the clan, they all died fighting for their lands and for the pride of females. i also must admit my fave was the black mane lion i think that was Mr T or kinky tail.
hope they mapogo genes still runs today, its a strong gene to have within the pride of lions.
regards nadine lynch
Yes, Nadine, the Mapogo gene still runs in the adult lionesses of this pride. They were the sub-adult females, of Mapogo blood, in the Tsalala pride 2010 who fled with the original tailless female.
Since then, however, they have had litters (the now sub-adults) with the current Majingilane males. Therefore the Mapogo blood only runs as far as the lionesses of today.
We saw several of them in October while they were still separated. It’s nice to read that they have all reunited finally. I hope they stick around!