The deep-throated roar of a male lion at dawn—a sound that reverberates through the very soul of Africa—is enough to electrify any ranger. Venturing deep into the reserve’s southern reaches recently, a region less travelled and shrouded in an air of wild possibility, we were doubly rewarded. Not one but two distinct roars echoed through the crisp morning air, instantly transforming our leisurely exploration into a thrilling pursuit. The hunt was on. Two roars meant potential conflict—a clash of titans, perhaps—and the anticipation was palpable.
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Torn in two different directions, we decided to head further south, drawn by the closer and more insistent calls. Stumbling upon the Styx Male and the Ntsevu Breakaway Female was incredible. These two lions have been spending a lot of time together recently, and as of that morning, we were hopeful they might start a pride—a possible power shift in the making.
What was even more intriguing, however, was the fact that he was calling in the heart of the Ndzhenga Males’ territory. Sired by the Ndzhenga Coalition to the Styx Pride in early 2021, he is still very young. Roaring within his father’s territory was a bold move—one that he seemed unaware of the transgression it represented.
Following him for a while, we noticed he was on the trail of another lion. From this point, the sighting escalated quickly. Watch the video below to see how it all transpired, but as you do, look closely at the termite mound. The eagle-eyed among you will spot the Ndzhenga Male hiding there.
A truly breathtaking spectacle unfolded: two male lions locked in a heart-stopping chase. Raw power and primal aggression are on display. But upon reviewing the video closely, notice how the Ndzhenga male actually lets the Styx male—his son—off lightly. The pursuing Ndzhenga Male seemed to recognize his offspring. Was this a display of brutal dominance or a harsh yet measured paternal warning?
With the Styx male approaching the age where his instinct is to take over a territory, does this encounter foreshadow future conflict? Will blood ties hold against the inevitable struggle for dominance? Or like the Birmingham Males before them, will the Ndzhenga Males strengthen their ageing coalition by joining forces with their son/s?
We initially assumed the young male had grasped the danger and fled. Nature, however, rarely conforms to our expectations. His roars echoed once more—a brazen defiance of his father’s authority. While we trailed the Ntsevu Female and the dominant Ndzhenga Male (whose mating, more a display of submission than estrus, deserves a separate account), the Styx Male returned again. Roaring defiantly within his father’s territory, this summoned the second Ndzhenga Male, and the pursuit and collision were reenacted to a tee for the second time that morning.
The lesson, it seemed, remained unlearned. Perhaps the second expulsion, which drove him south beyond our boundary, finally drove the point home.
In the end, it wasn’t just a battle between two lions—it was a window into the unspoken laws of nature. Dominance, respect, and survival hang in a delicate balance. The future of the Styx Male may hinge on the lessons imparted by his father’s pursuit. Will he learn? Or will the instinctual drive to take over be too strong to ignore, no matter the cost?
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on Bloodlines Tested: A lesson in Dominance and Defiance