Over the last few months, we have been seeing a lone, older male lion that has not necessarily been in the best condition. After a bit of time, we deduced that it was in fact a male lion that had not been on Londolozi since 2017, and the last we knew was they had killed the Piva Male Leopard and the Xidulu Female Leopard on separate occasions. It was one of the Southern Avoca Males who had now been seen again for the first time on Londolozi in August this year.
We found him heading south through the southern part of the reserve. He was not seen again until the beginning of September when we found him mating with a Ntsevu Lioness. I’m sure you also wondering how this all unfolded, so let me briefly explain a bit of the history behind the Southern Avoca Males.
One of the new Avoca Males lifts his head to listen to the distant roars of other rival males. This image was taken in June 2017.
The Year 2013
There were five Avoca Males originally born into the Avoca Pride sired by the Avoca/Giraffe Males which are from the Timbavati area in the early to mid 2013. Two brothers were slightly older than the other three brothers.
The Year 2016
The five Avoca Males entered their nomadic years, in 2016 the older two brothers headed south avoiding the dominant and established coalitions of the Sabi Sands. This led to the split of the Avoca Males into two groups. It was only after a bit of time and once the two older males established themselves in the south were they then classified as the ‘Northern‘ and ‘Southern’ Avoca Males.
We often only saw these two Northern Avoca brothers who were dominant over the Nkuhuma Pride in the northern reaches of the reserve as the third- dark maned brother remained further north of our boundary who we only started to view in 2022 as he spent more time with the Talamati Pride.
The Dark Maned Avoca male lion gazes towards the Talamati Pride. We only began to see this male in mid-2022.
The Coalitions of the Sabi Sands 2016
The four Birmingham Males controlled the northern parts of the Sabi Sands, the three remaining Majingilane Males were in the Western Sector while the Mantimahle Males were in the southeastern part of the Sabi Sands. All coalitions consisted of more than two males at the time. The Southern Avoca Males evaded the competition with these males and were able to push the slightly younger and inexperienced Tsalala Males further south into the Kruger National Park, allowing the Avoca Males to occupy a territory in the southern parts of the Sabi Sands.
The three Tsalala Males and sister, with the Tailless Tsalala Female before they moved south.
The Year 2019
The Southern Avoca Males, now dominant over both the Southern Pride and Sand River Pride were a force to be reckoned with. During this time a brief encounter with the four young and nomadic N’waswitshaka Males born around 2015-2016 (now known as the Ndhzenga Males) ensued. They were able to fend off the young inexperienced N’waswitshaka males and continue their territorial reign in the southwestern part of the Sabi Sands.
This was the first time we saw all four Ndzhenga Males on Londolozi.
The Year 2023-2024
In 2023, the Southern Avoca Males launched an attack on the Nkuhlu Males, severely injuring the oldest male, the last remaining De LaPorte Male. Sensing the rising pressure the Southern Avoca Males then moved north and were seen mating with a few lionesses from the Hamilton Pride, this resulted in them having an altercation with the two Leeubron Males that were dominant in that area and over the Hamilton Pride, which sadly saw the larger Southern Avoca Male being killed.
With rising pressure from the Gijima Males and Nkuhlu Males in the south, this 12-year-old male seems to be once again embarking on a nomadic life alone. Attempting to sneak beneath the proverbial radar, he has now returned to Londolozi, which has seen him entering the fringes of the Plains Camp Males and Ndhzenga Males’ territories. This would explain why he was seen in the southern parts of Londolozi and then weeks later in the northern parts.
In the latter years of a male lion’s life after leaving their territory they become nomadic once more, no longer in their prime and ageing they avoid conflict with younger fitter Males, living out their last days. Time will certainly tell as to the fate of this older male lion and we can only hope that he evades the dominant coalitions around him in the latter years of his life. I can’t help but wonder if he heads further north would he and his brother, the younger and last remaining Northern Avoca Male reunite? Who knows…
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.
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.
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.
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.