There are certain lion prides that become part of the story of a reserve. Over time, you get to know their movements, and you find yourself invested in where their story goes. The Msuthlu Pride is one of those.

When we last wrote about them, the pride was already going through a period of change. Originally four adult females and their offspring, the group had grown into a formidable family of 14 lions, with the younger members sired by the Gijima Males.

Today the story is very different.

The four adult females still appear to be present, along with roughly seven subadults. But the pride is no longer moving as one cohesive family. Individuals are being seen in different combinations, and at times considerable distances apart.

All eyes were on us as we arrived at this special sighting of the full complement of the Msuthlu pride and both Gijima males. This was late morning, and the heat had already set in. Moments after this picture was taken, they had all joined the rest of the pride who were sleeping in the shade.

The Gijima Males have now moved further north, while the young N’waswitshaka coalition has become increasingly prominent in the southern parts of Londolozi.

A changing relationship

Some of the adult Msuthlu females have been seen associating with the Nwaswitshaka Males, and mating has been observed between them.

Could this be the beginning of a change in the pride’s male coalition?

It is certainly possible, though it would be premature to say the Nwaswitshaka Males have definitively taken over. Lion dynamics are rarely that straightforward.

The Nwaswitshaka Males are the newest coalition to arrive on Londolozi, four fresh-faced young males. They descend from the same Kruger National Park pride as the Ndzhenga Males, and despite being distantly related to them, it is highly unlikely the two coalitions would tolerate one another should they cross paths.

One of the young Msuthlu males has recently been seen moving around Londolozi on his own. In an extraordinary sighting, he was found feeding on a wildebeest carcass alongside both Gijima Males. The young male and the coalition that sired him were sharing a meal, while the Msuthlu females were nowhere to be seen. It was a fascinating glimpse into that relationship, and it raises questions about what his future may hold.

Then came the roar

Our most recent sighting of the Msuthlu Pride gave a far more dramatic glimpse into the challenges these young lions face.

We were watching a crash of rhinos when, in the distance, we heard the unmistakable sounds of lions fighting, followed by roaring. Already deep in the south of Londolozi, we assumed the Nwaswitshaka Males were involved, but we had no idea what we were about to find.

Scanning the open grassland, we eventually spotted a male lion standing and roaring. As we approached, we saw two males hobbling before they lay down close to two adult females. Off to the side, partially hidden in the long grass, lay one of the young Msuthlu males.

We knew straight away the situation could become problematic. The Nwaswitshaka Males had not appeared to accept this young male.

For a while, the lions rested. Then the two males got up and walked towards him.

They began confronting the young male, trying to flip him over and gain access to his hindquarters. Before it could escalate, the two adult females came rushing in and fought the males off. The young male escaped back into the long grass, while the two males settled down again with the females and eventually let out a huge roar.

It was an incredibly dramatic encounter, and not one where you necessarily want to stay until the final outcome. The fate of that young male remains unknown.

The rest of the pride, along with another Nwaswitshaka male, were found scattered around the reserve that morning. The males had clearly caused a stir during the night.

What happens next?

With the Gijima Males further north and the Nwaswitshaka Males becoming more established in the south, the balance of power appears to be shifting.

If the association between the Nwaswitshaka Males and the Msuthlu females continues, and eventually produces cubs, we could be watching the start of a new era for the pride.

What happens to the young males is just as interesting. Will they stay close to their Gijima fathers? Could they form a coalition of their own? Or will they be forced to disperse as the Nwaswitshaka Males consolidate their position? For now, nobody knows.

Perhaps this is simply the natural progression of a successful pride. Perhaps it is the end of one chapter and the start of another. Either way, the Msuthlu Pride remains one of the most compelling stories unfolding on Londolozi, and one we will be following closely