Lion Database

[Aquila (Mod)]

Histories on the Lion Prides and Coalitions of Sabi Sands. Also listed under the Wildlife tab at top of Ning page.

Eyrefield/Sparta Pride

Manyeleti Males (Young)

Mapogo Coalition

Nkuhuma Pride

Roller Coaster Males

Split Rock Males

Styx Pride

Tsalala Pride

Tsalala Young Male - "Solo"

Windmill Pride

More to come....

[Peter]

Hi Aquila, that is sort of information base I have been waiting for, congratulations and thank you and Karen very much! I am trying to follow the drama of the Sabi Sand lions for some years now ... some of which I had the privilege to see and meet live in the wild. It is good to know that there are many people out there caring for wildlife and lions in particular. Best regards Peter

[Aquila (Mod)]

Thank you Peter! It is a long and tedious process to try to figure out the complexities of these Lions and Leopards (which will also have histories up soon). We will be adding more of the Lion Prides and Coalition as we get everything in place also.

We are always open to corrections and/or additional information that anyone can provide. :) It is our hope that these are just a beginning to learning more of the entire story for each.

Aquila

[Aquila (Mod)]

Here is a sort of "cheat sheet" or short summary on prides and coalitions seen or heard discussed on the drives. Remember, nothing is set in stone as the movements and numbers of these lions seem to keep changing. Ages are mostly estimates. Status as Karen and I know of as of mid Oct. 2009. For more info, see Lions under the Wildlife tab at top of this page.

Lion Prides and Coalitions - Mid Oct 2009

Styx Pride - (Mala Mala) Split into two groups at this time. Core group (8) consists of 3 adult lionesses and 5 surviving youngsters (1 male, 4 female) approx 1 1/2 yrs old. They often flee into surrounding areas to escape the attacks by the two Mapogo Males (Kinky Tail and Mr T).

2 other Styx Lionesses are currently with two Mapogo/Eyrefield males (Kinky Tail and Mr T) in Mala Mala. One of these just recently split from the core group and joined the single lioness that was caring for two younger cubs. Those two cubs of approximately 8 mos in age have been lost. Time will tell if these two lionesses will rejoin the core group.

The adults usually consisted of 7 lionesses but one was killed at the end of Aug during either a feeding frenzy or mating session with Kinky Tail and Mr T while in Londolozi. Another lioness went missing a few months ago leaving the Styx Pride with only 5 adults total being accounted for.

Nkuhuma Pride - 8 - 11 Usually seen are 4 - 5 adult lionesses with 6 sub adults (3 males, 3 females) possibly ranging in age from approx. 2 to 2 1/2 plus yrs. Ages are estimated as cubs were born throughout 2007 and it is not known which survived the attacks by the Mapogos.

Most recent sighting on Wildearth was of 3 adult lionesses with 5 sub adults and it was reported 2 others lionesses were off mating. (Reports of one of the female sub adults may have been lost). Pride is sometimes confused with the Windmill Pride so can't confirm the number of sub adults at this time.

There is a very recent report of one Nkuhuma Lioness that was thought to have died a year ago being seen mating with one of the 2 new to the area and very aggressive adult males.

"Snaggletooth" is the most easily recognized lioness of the Nkuhuma pride.

Pride may on occasions be referred to as the Brown Ivory Pride.

Sandy Patch/Safari Pride - 2 - Consists of only one adult lioness after the death of her sister in Dec. 2006. Currently she has one surviving male cub (3 cubs originally born Dec. 2008) believed sired by the surviving Manyeleti Brother.

Windmill Pride - (Mala Mala) 8 - Consists of 3 adult lionesses and 5 sub adults of plus 3 yrs in age (3 males, 2 females). Disappeared into Kruger for a couple of years but have been returning more frequently into the SS area since Jan 2009.

Tsalala/Marthly Pride - (Elephant Plains & Londolozi - recently venturing back into Mala Mala) 11 - Consists of 3 Adult Lionesses ("BB" the tailless lioness and her two daughters) and 8 cubs (6 - 8 plus/minus mos old) sired by Mapogo males most likely Kinky Tail and Mr T that have taken up territory in and around Mala Mala.

Eyrefield/Sparta Pride - (Mala Mala) 11 - 12 in number: Currently consists of 3 adult lionesses, 7 sub adults (3 males, 4 females) approx 2 1/2 yrs, one young male from the Tsalala pride approximately 4 yrs old known as "Solo". Recently, the old Rollercoaster Male has gone missing from this group. They number 12 when he is in attendance.

Robson/Othawa Pride - (Western Sector) 8 Consists of 2 adult lionesses and 6 sub adults nearing 2 yrs of age. The oldest Mapogo male known as Makulu is usually in attendance with this pride.

Ximungwe Pride - (Western Sector) 5 adult lionesses. They have been mating with members of the Mapogo Coalition. (1 of the adult lionesses has been confirmed to be that of a young lioness that went missing from the Tsalala Pride 2 yrs ago. She was accepted into this pride.)

Manyeleti Brothers - Approximately 5 1/2 - 6 yrs in age. Only one survives today. His territory is usually in and around Buffelshoek. His brother disappeared after receiving a severely broken rear leg during a fight with Mapogo males early Jan 2009.

Mapogo/Eyrefield Coalition - 6 Males Originated from the Eyrefield/Sparta Pride. 4 dominate in the Western sector while the two youngest have taken over territory in and around Mala Mala. These two younger males (Kinky Tail and Mr T) are now known in Mala Mala as the Mlowathi Males.

Central Pride/Coalition - 6 young males. Have not seen these males but they are said to be around 3 years of age. Some believe the Windmill sub adult males had joined up with the Nkuhuma sub adult males to form this group but that is only speculation as the Nkuhuma and Windmill prides still seem to have their sub adult males with them.

New Manyeleti/Kruger Males - 2 adult and very aggressive males. Thought to have come out of either Manyeleti or Kruger.

Robson Males - 2 adult males (6 - 7 yrs) - Originally born to the Robson/Othawa Pride. No recent reports. One male missing part of his tail, "Stompie", and the other missing an eye, "One-Eye". They were spotted several times coming back into the area earlier this year and were reported to be in good condition.

Rollercoaster/Roller Coaster Male - (Mala Mala) 1 - Plus/minus 13 yrs. This lone surviving male (originally from a coalition of 6) is usually in attendance of the Eyrefield/Sparta Pride but went missing sometime mid Sept. Originally he dominated both the Eyrefield/Sparta pride and the Styx pride until earlier this year when both his prides came under attacks by the Mapogo males mostly Kinky Tail and Mr T.