There is something about a bitterly cold winter’s morning that adds an edge to a lion search. Maybe it’s the knowledge that lions are far more active in the cold, making the chances of finding them on the move that much better, or maybe it’s simply the thrill of huddling into your jacket and blanket and scanning ahead as the first light creeps over the crests. Whatever it is, when we set out early the other morning to follow up on lions that had been calling to the east of camp, the anticipation on the vehicle was, and always is, unmatched in these situations.
Before the excitement started
Shortly after the sun rose, Ranger Nick called in that he had found the Gijima Males together with the Ntsevu Pride. Exciting news on its own, but it immediately raised a question amongst all of us. The Ntsevu Pride still has three sub-adults that are very much part of the pride, and although the females may be safe, the young male would definitely be in danger. For sub-adult lions, and young males in particular, the presence of dominant males that aren’t their fathers is extremely dangerous. A coalition like the Gijima Males will not tolerate a maturing male within a pride they have laid claim to. To them, he is nothing but future competition, and lions deal with future competition swiftly and often brutally.
Heading towards the young sub-adults. Trying to warn them of the danger
After watching the pride for a while, one of the females began to move west, with the Gijima Males trailing not far behind her. We hadn’t travelled far when we spotted the sub-adults in the distance. The change in the pride was instant. The females knew exactly the danger the youngsters were in, especially the young male.
The Ntsevu Young Male seeing his mother closely being followed by the Gijima Males
The moment the Gijima Males noticed him, they began to roar, quickening their pace as they closed the gap. It was enough of a fright for the young male, and he got out of there, for good, or so we thought.
Noticing the Young Male for the first time.
About half an hour passed as we watched the pride and the males resting in the winter sun. Then we looked to our west again and noticed a journey of giraffes, all staring intently at something. Looking through our binoculars, and sure enough, there he was, the young male, heading straight back in our direction. He clearly didn’t take the last hint.
One of the Young Females watching the Gijima Males from a distance
What happened next is something I’ll never forget. When he was about 100 metres away, the blonde Gijima Male exploded into a sprint. I have never seen a lion move like that. He chased the young male flat out for over a kilometre through the clearings east of the airstrip, and the youngster escaped by the skin of his teeth. Had he been caught, I don’t think things would have ended well for him.
After the chase, he roared for about 5 minutes
As harsh as it is to witness, this is a natural and necessary part of lion dynamics. It is exactly this kind of pressure that forces young males out of their natal prides and into their nomadic years, where they will have to fend for themselves before, hopefully, one day staking a claim of their own. One can only hope this young male has got the message, because the Gijima Males will not be so forgiving next time.
Embracing his brother.
The whole morning was an incredible display of dominance by the Gijima Males, showcasing just how fierce they can truly be when their authority is challenged. For me, this has to be up there with one of my best lion sightings yet — and to think it all began with distant roars on a bitterly cold morning.
Now Sit Back and watch the entire chase, captured by Londolozi Guest Yanush Cherkis.
View this post on Instagram
Patrick, What a big lesson for the young male! He’s lucky he got away! Do you think he will try to rejoin the pride or will he just continue on his own? The video is just amazing!
What a great article and photos/vids. I love the photo of the Ntsevu Young Male. He’s so cute with his beard. Thank you Patrick!
Hi LGR. That was such a fascinating and good blog on the tiny Ntsevu pride there, so thank you so much for putting it up for me to see and read. I know the young Ntsevu male was born in November 2023 in a litter of 3 with just 2 litter mate sisters as his playmates and no litter mate brothers at all, but as he’s just 3 months away from turning 3 years old, I don’t think he’s likely to be tolerated by the 2 much larger, older and stronger Gajima males for to much longer now.
It is just incredible that he was chased by the two big males for over a kilometer until they had run out of steam. I know it is obvious that he likes the safety and security of the pride, but he will have to go out on his own and fend for himself at some stage sooner or later, and maybe he will be lucky enough to find some other young males of a similar age to him to team up and join forces with.
It might well seem quite a shame that he hasn’t got any twin litter mate brothers to play and go out with there together, but he’s a threat to the two big males and the rest of his birth pride despite been born into it. I suppose some people may say he’s become a liability to his pride, but I expect one or both of the two fertile younger adult lionesses might well be ready to have a new litter of cubs there.
Out of the two younger fertile adult lionesses of the Ntsevu pride, do you know if any of them are looking very heavily pregnant with brand new cubs after many repeated matings with the 2 large Gajima males there yet at all? It’ll be so good and nice to see some more brand new cubs born into the pride. I don’t know which one if the two younger adult lionesses is his mother, but I don’t know if she’s likely to tolerate her young son there much longer. Is she? If he and the two Gajima males cross paths again at all, not only will things possibly not end very well for him, but they might well be more than likely to kill him to get rid of him for good. Wouldn’t they? He might become a threat to anymore new future cubs if there any on their way. It’s good that the 2 Gajima males have finally accepted the 2 litter mate sub adult lionesses, as they seem to have realised that they’ll be very good breeding partners for them very soon one day. They might have a way to go, but I wouldn’t be hugely surprised if they attempt to start breeding between the ages of 3 & 4 years old together in the next few months or so. I bet you wouldn’t either. It’ll be nice to see some cubs born to one or both of them in several months time, well into the early stages of next year. They will be a vital asset to their own birth pride. But the young male was just about lucky enough to escape the claws and jaws of the 2 larger and stronger Gajima males as they chased and tried to attack him. If any of the two younger adult lionesses in the pride are looking very heavily pregnant with new cubs, then do let me know as soon as possible please. That will be a massive great help.
Hope to hear from you shortly.
Robert 4.8.26
Hopefully after this close call with the Blonde Gijima, the Ntsevu sub-adult male will maintain a low profile and not tempt fate when out with his mother and sisters……. Thanks for including the video.
WOW! We remember it SO well! What a fabulous venture with you and Dorence and the lions! And you brought it back to life for all to experience. BRAVO!
Wow, Patrick, what an exciting morning. I am glad that the young lion was able to escape, though.
The lions at Londolozi are indeed always up to lots of actions.
Hi Patrick, oh my word that chase was so incredibly fast and with the intention to chase that Ntsevu Young male away. I hope he realizes he must stay away from the pride otherwise these two huge Gijima males will kill him, and he is so beautiful. My heart was pounding in my throat for his sake.
Hi Patrick…. spectacular! It’s not granted to see such lions specimen on the go…. great blog edition!
How exciting to witness the chase (and also a relief that the Ntsevu Young Male was able to get away). I wonder what will become of him, since he doesn’t appear to have a brother or cousin in the same pride to team up with?