MLOWATHI PRIDE
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December 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 10

1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 8 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 15 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 13 MONTHS
3 CUBS                                   * 5 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

No confirmed sightings although a lioness with four cubs matching the ages of some of the cubs of this pride were seen on one occasion on western Marthly but could not be positively identified.

November 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 10

1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 7 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 14 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 12 MONTHS
3 CUBS                                   * 4 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

No confirmed sightings.

October 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 10

1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 6 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 13 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 11 MONTHS
3 CUBS                                   * 3 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

There was a single sighting of the Mlowathi Pride in October. Three adult lionesses and three small cubs (estimated to be about 3 months old) were seen near Matumi Rocks, on the northern bank of the Sand River . The lionesses and cubs were watching a large herd of buffalo with some interest, but then moved off into the reeds. Cubs as young as this, of course, need to keep well out of the way of buffalo, as many young cubs are killed by buffalo. The four older cubs of the pride have not been seen for some time and it is quite likely that they are dead. Before writing them off completely, however, it must be remembered that there have not been many sightings of the Mlowathi Pride at all in recent months.

September 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7

1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 5 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 12 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 10 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

Although there were no confirmed sightings of the Mlowathi Pride, a sighting of two young lionesses on Marthly could well have been of two members of this pride.

August 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7
1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 4 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 11 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 9 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

There were no sightings at all of any of the Mlowathi Pride members in August.

July 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7
1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                        * 4 YEARS 3 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 10 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 8 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

There were no confirmed sightings of any of the Mlowathi Pride members in July.

June 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7
1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                        * 4 YEARS 2 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 9 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 7 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

There were no confirmed sightings of the Mlowathi Pride in June, but a couple of sightings of a lioness with cubs could have been of the Mlowathi Pride.

May 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7
1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                        * 4 YEARS 1 MONTH
2 CUBS                                  * 8 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                  * 6 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

Although there were only three sightings of the Mlowathi Pride (all quite early in the game report period), the third sighting proved that all three lionesses of the pride do indeed still exist. One of the younger lionesses had not been seen with the other pride members for several months, except on one occasion. It was not clear from the sighting whether or not this third lioness was lactating. It was thought likely that she may have cubs that are younger than the other cubs of the pride, or simply that she is raising her cubs separately for whatever reason. It will be interesting to see if she stays with the other two females now or not.

April 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7
1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                         * 4 YEARS 0 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 7 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 5 MONTHS

Location: SOUTHERN MARTHLY

The Mlowathi Pride numbers have dropped by one, with the disappearance (and almost certain death) of another of the older cubs. Around mid-month, two lionesses and four cubs of the pride were seen feeding on a waterbuck kill along the rocky banks of the Manyeleti River near Paraffin Drift. Access to the sighting was difficult, and the view was somewhat restricted, but the lions were seen at the kill site for 3 days. A few days later, the two lionesses were seen. They were on the move, having been hunting, and were probably returning to their cubs. In recent months, there has only been one occasion when all three lionesses of this pride were seen together. There is speculation that the third lioness might have very young cubs, and that she is keeping the cubs (and herself) away from the rest of the pride for the time being.

March 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 8
1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                         * 3 YEARS 11 MONTHS
3 CUBS                                   * 6 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 4 MONTHS

There was just one sighting of two lionesses of the Mlowathi Pride in March. Looking a little beaten up, they were encountered on the airstrip, and moved from there to the Sand River, upstream of where the Manyeleti flows into the Sand. No cubs were seen.

February 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 9
1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                        * 3 YEARS 10 MONTHS
4 CUBS                                   * 5 MONTHS
2 CUBS                                   * 3 MONTHS

The lions of the Mlowathi Pride provided some fine viewing in February, and were seen on at least 9 different occasions. Until the last day of the game report period, only two of the three lionesses of the pride were seen, but then the third female was seen with her companions on that last day. Of the two lactating females, one has four cubs (although towards month-end only three were seen), while the other has two. These cubs have been stashed on the banks of the Manyeleti River, south and west of Stwise in rocky terrain, and also on and near the northern bank of the Sand River, south and west of Elephant Rock.

Early in the month, two lionesses of the pride were seen to chase and kill a wildebeest calf on the edge of the airstrip. This kill took place at midday, and the lions were not seen in the area that afternoon.

Indications are that the younger of the two Split Rock Males is probably spending a good deal of time with the Mlowathi Pride, while his older partner is more closely linked to the Styx Pride.

January 2005

MLOWATHI PRIDE = 7
1 ADULT LIONESS
2 LIONESSES                     * 3 YEARS 9 MONTHS
4 CUBS                                * 4 MONTHS

Location: WESTERN MALA MALA

There was just one sighting of the Mlowathi Pride in January, but it was a good one. Two lionesses (including the older one) were present, and with them were four cubs, seen for the first time. The cubs were estimated to be just under 4 months of age at the time, and all were seen to suckle from both lionesses. It was believed, however, that all cubs belonged to one lioness. This suggests that the other lioness has an even younger litter. Time will tell! It is likely that the Mlowathi Pride has been spending most of its time on western Marthly. It is not known what has happened to the third lioness of the pride. Could it be that she too has a new litter of cubs?

The cubs of the Mlowathi Pride were undoubtedly sired by the Split Rock Males.

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Telephone: + 27 11 442 2267 or 0861 SAFARI.
Facsimile: + 27 11 442 2318
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