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Kirst Joscelyne

Ranger

At less than a year old, Kirst went to her family’s hut in the Greater Kruger National Park, and has been fortunate enough to continue to go there ever since. Sharing a passion for the bush with her family, led to countless trips ...

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11 Comments

on The Last Southern Avoca Male Lion

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Senior Digital Ranger

Such a sad ending for such a beautiful animal. Starving to death seems to get most, that just breaks my heart. No way anything should have to live out there old age😭

Hi Kirst, I think that once older lions loose their companions, they also lack the psychological strength to get on. A story that impressed me a lot regarded the last Mapogo, they had all trusted unconditionally Makulu, the oldest and larger male, that in the end was the only one left together with Pretty Boy. The way the old Pretty Boy followed his older brother was moving. They crossed so many miles and even the national routes among cars, Makulu always leading. In the end they reached Londolozi. It was unbelievable how they put on weight and strength. Makulu seemed to be immortal… certainly he was one of a kind, but I’m sure that if the old Avoca male rejoins his brother of the North, they will likely both benefit. I hope so…

Thanks, Kirst, for this interesting explanation of the relationships between all these coalitions. The Who’s Who can be quite confusing regarding lions. I also saw this Avoca Male who had obviously followed the Kambula Pride to the river last week. Life is especially tough for very old, lonely animals, it seems. I wish him some peaceful time till his end.

Senior Digital Ranger

Hi Kirst. Was this lion part of the coalition that killed the mother of the present day Tsalala female?

Thanks Kirst for this concise and informative report about the last Southern
Avoca male. I had thought at one point he was seen with the lone Talamati male but that seems to have been short-lived, as has been the case with a few of the older single males who attempt a partnership with another older nomadic male. It will be interesting to see if any cubs are born to the Ntsevu female after she was seen mating with this southern Avoca. Hopefully she mated with other males as well to insure her cubs would be safe.
Who knows what will happen to this lion, but I hope he fades away to his next life peacefully.

Hi Kirst, it is sad to see this once majestic lion looking old and hurt. Shame I really do hope he does not have an altercation with any of the other male lions. Hope he can spend his last days in peace.

Kirst, thank you for the update and the historyof the Avoca males. Sad to see that the last one is on his way out. Life ends and goes on in another offspring.

Senior Digital Ranger

Life as a malae lion is tough that’s for sure. I look forward to hearing more of his story, hopefully there’s much morfe to tell.

It is always so disheartening to see an older animal beginning to decline. I suppose the good news for him, is that although he is likely lonely, it’s unlikely he’s feeling sorry for himself–leave that to all of the humans. 12 years seems like a decent life for a male lion, especially in such a heavily populated area with stiff competition. Let’s hope that when the end comes, it is swift without suffering.

Master Tracker

The last days of a male lion are often sad indeed , the first time I ever saw a lion was an older nomadic lion , he turned looked at me and I got the photo, such sadness in his eyes . i still have the photo on display . It is very sad

Thanks for this update on the remaining southern Avoca male lion. May his last days be a peaceful as possible.

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