Driving out of camp, our vehicle had the goal of an exciting morning of finding lions. We were lucky enough to find some tracks fairly early on. From that point on we spent the vast majority of the morning tracking them. The tracks were fresh and so we did not want to give up too easily – they seemed to be just at our fingertips. As the heat of the day started to set in we decided to take a break, drink some coffee and stretch our legs – the best way to regain energy and excitement.
After our break, we hopped back in the vehicle. We checked the nearest water hole in case they had decided to rest now that it was a bit hotter.
Unexpectedly we bumped into one of the Birmingham Males at the water’s edge.
The scene seemed tense, he was standing tall, head raised, almost as though performing some sort of dominance display. We then noticed he had been chasing something, he started trotting with purpose. As we got closer, we noticed he was in fact chasing the Ntsevu Sub-Adult lions.
The Birmingham Male stares with purpose at the Ntsevu Sub-adults that are a few metres away from him and his brother.
The lions looked tired, every time the Sub-Adults gained enough distance from the male they would try to rest in the shade. Soon the second Birmingham Male joined his brother. They moved together as a force as the chase began again. It was amazing to see how the one Birmingham brother waiting for his sibling to get closer knowing that they are stronger together.
Clearly hot and tired the Birmingham Males rested side by side in the shade.
Being the fathers of the Ntsevu Sub-Adults, the two dominant males moved with intimidation rather than to act with aggression. The Sub-Adults are maturing and the Young Males will start to try and mate soon. In an effort to prevent inbreeding with their mothers and siblings, the fathers normally drive the Young Males out of the territory and in turn begin the nomadic journey for these young males, as they buy time in order to grow and develop the strength and skills required to one day claim their own territory.
The Birmingham Male’s constantly keeping a watch on the Ntsevu Sub-Adults.
The Sub-Adults felt comfortable enough at a distance and began to rest in the shade. We wondered how long they had been running for or what had happened before this interaction?
There were obvious signs of blood all over the Birmingham Males and you can see some blood in this young male’s mane.
There was blood all over the Birmingham Males and the Sub-Adults suggesting that they could have been on a kill or maybe the Sub-Adults made a kill drawing in the Birmingham Males that came to investigate the distress call or the sounds of the Sub-Adults fighting over the kill. This could have led to the chase.
That afternoon they were all found again, still keeping a distance apart. As it got cooler the Sub-Adults got up to drink with the Birmingham Males not too far following them. We lost them all walking into the darkness that evening.
What does this mean for the future of the Ntsevu sub-adults?
Will they be pushed out by the Birmingham Males? Or were the Birmingham Males following the sub-adults for a chance of stealing their kill?
Hi Jess, is there any hope the sub-adults and the young male of the video will join forces? Are they from different fathers? And the Othawa, such a wonderful healthy lion, did he leave any male behind? Pictures are gorgeous and the expression of the elder… until they fall, you see lions are above
The male in the video is from another pride and they do not have the same father. These sub adults are sired by the Birmingham Males. Whereas the male in the video is sired by the Giraffe Male lion from the BlackDam Pride.
The Ntsevu male sub adults will likely stick together and form their own coalition. The female subs will either stay with the pride or form a breakaway pride of their own.
Jess I hope that the sub-adults will soon find a new lion to mate with so that there won’t be inter breeding. Maybe that young lion that Sean showed us on the video would be ideal for the females. Birmingham lions are very impressive and show off their dominance. Beautiful foto’s of the lions. Hope also that the sub-adults male lions will find other females to mate with to start their own family.
Jess, what an exciting story! The lion family dynamics are pretty amazing. We wonder if they know each other by sight or just their calls? The Birmingham males still look strong!
We enjoy reading your posts Jess, sorry Kyle and Prof didn’t introduce us!
Well, this is one way to show the sub adults who’s in control of the territory. Good to know the Birmingham brothers are doing so well, looking strong and continuing to protect their pride. Good photos of them!
Great photos, Jess.
The interactions of these lions are really very exciting at the moment.
It is so interesting to be able to follow all this excitement via your blogs.
It must have been a very exciting and glorious day. It is amazing and impressive how the lions guard their territory with such force and determination. Wonderful photos to view. 📸👍🦁 Thank you for sharing with us. 🤩
An interesting morning Jess. I wonder if the sub adults feel any sadness at their father/s turning their backs on them or whether like some humans they are content to move on into the unknown. I’m sure it’s all instinct and expected but its sad to see them pushed out. At least they have each other to fall back on.
interesting family squabble! can’t wait to see how this goes. Thank you Victoria