December 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 7
1 ADULT FEMALE 13 YEARS 2 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 10 YEARS 1 MONTH
2 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 6 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 5 MONTHS
2 CUBS 3 MONTHS
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
(11 sightings)
Only one sighting of this pride took place to the east of the Sand River. This was when three of the lionesses and two of the Manyelethi males were spotted trailing a herd of buffalo. The rest of the sightings were all on the western bank. For four days in a row we viewed two of the lionesses with the two new young cubs. The lionesses had killed a wildebeest behind the staff village, and as soon as they’d finished it off they moved to the causeway area and slept there for two days. Interesting to note is that not once during the month did we see all five lionesses together. The most at any given point was four. And on only two of the eleven sightings were any of the lionesses seen with the Manyelethi males. On the day that the lionesses and the males crossed onto the eastern bank to follow the buffalo herd, we saw them that evening engaged in some very exciting interaction with the Fourways pride. We’ll talk about it in more detail under the Fourways pride’s section. At the time of writing another interesting development occurred with the Eyrefield pride, but you’l have to wait until next month to find out more!
November 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 5
1 ADULT FEMALE 13 YEARS 1 MONTH
1 ADULT FEMALE 10 YEARS
2 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 5 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 4 MONTHS
2 CUBS 2 MONTHS
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
(14 sightings)
Our suspicions were finally confirmed when we found two new little cubs on Flockfield in the first half of the month. It is possible that the actual birth place was in the Sand River, around Rattrays Camp, but when we saw the cubs they were close to the Kapen River. After that initial sighting we only spotted them one more time. The lioness with no hair on her tail was thought to have cubs as well, as she was lactating. The cubs must have died unfortunately, as she was seen mating with one of the Manyelethi males at the beginning of the report period. Most of the sightings were around West Street Bridge.
October 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 5
1 ADULT FEMALE 13 YEARS
1 ADULT FEMALE 9 YEARS 11 MONTHS
2 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 4 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 3 MONTHS
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
(11 sightings)
The pride has been fairly split up during October. On most occasions we saw only two or three lionesses together at a time. In the previous report we mentioned that one of the old lionesses was lactating. We still haven’t seen them, but it’s clear that there are cubs suckling off her teats. The second eldest lioness also had suckle marks, and we’ve had no sign of her cubs either. The pride is spending much of its time around West Street and Rattrays Camp, so we can only speculate that they have stashed the babies somewhere in the river. The three young lionesses spent the majority of their time together, although we also saw them with the young males from the Selati pride, with whom they mated on several occasions during the month. They have also been seen to mate with two of the Manyelethi males a few times, so we’ll have to wait and see which of these males accepts the cubs as their own. If their mating efforts prove successful, it will also be the first litter that any of these three lionesses produces. Fortunately they have great teachers in their mothers to ensure the success of their future generation.
September 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 5
1 ADULT FEMALE 12 YEARS 11 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 9 YEARS 10 MONTHS
2 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 3 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 2 MONTHS
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
(14 sightings)
We had an average amount of sightings for this pride during the report period. Interestingly, the lionesses were with the Manyelethi males for the majority of those sightings. Although as often as they were seen together, it was only on a few occasions that we saw them mating. An interesting development in the pride is that the old lioness with no hair on the tip of her tail is lactating. We suspect that she may have given birth in the Sand River south of Rattrays Camp, where there is a large thicket of Bush willows. As of yet no cubs have been spotted though. Working in conjunction with the Manyelethi males, the pride managed to bring down several buffalo during the month, which gave us loads of good feeding activity to view. The pride’s three males that have since gone off on their own were not seen at all during the report period. The last time we saw them was on Charleston and Flockfield, where they were effectively sandwiched between the Manyelethi and Kruger National Park males’ respective territories. They have quite possibly shifted across to the Kruger National Park in a bid to make a clean start.
August 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 5
1 ADULT FEMALE 12 YEARS 10 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 9 YEARS 9 MONTHS
2 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 2 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 4 YEARS 1 MONTH
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
(12 sightings)
At the beginning of the month we had many sightings of all five lionesses together. But as the month progressed we saw all of them, but they were often split up. Most of the month the younger three females were seen mating with the Manyelethi males, which is excellent news. By the end of the month the two older females looked to be pregnant, again, very good news. All five females are happily living under the rule of the Manyelethi males, and the fortunes of the pride look to have changed. During the month the pride was seen on several buffalo kills, which were also attended by the Manyelethi males. There was no aggression outside of the feeding frenzy between the two groups, so it looks like the pride has a very bright future. And if the males manage to stay for a few more years, the Eyrefield pride could grow back into the super power it once was.
July 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 8
1 ADULT FEMALE 12 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 9 YEARS 8 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 4 YEARS 1 MONTH
2 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 1 FEMALE) 4 YEARS
1 ADULT MALE (MARTHLY PRIDE) 6 YEARS 1 MONTH
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
(17 sightings)
As predicted in reports earlier in the year, sightings of this pride have increased dramatically. Many animals, but most notably the buffalo herds, have been drawn closer to the Sand River. Needless to say the lions came trailing along behind them as well. It seems the pride has entered a new phase within its dynamics. The Marthly male and the pride's two sub-adult males seem to have left for good. We have foun the trio a few times, mostly in the southern reaches of Flockfield. It is likely that their nomadic range takes them to Charleston and the Kruger National Park as well. The lionesses have banded together from time to time, but for the most part we've seen them in groups of two's and three's. The younger lionesses have taken a shining to the Manyelethi males, and were seen mating with them on occasion. If all five of the females fall pregnant in the next while, the potential for a number of new cubs in the next few months is significant.
june 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 8
1 ADULT FEMALE 12 YEARS 8 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 9 YEARS 7 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 4 YEARS
2 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 1 FEMALE) 3 YEARS 11 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (MARTHLY PRIDE) 6 YEARS
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
(21 sightings)
A big blow to the Eyrefield pride occurred this month when the oldest lioness, the one that stayed with the pride, was killed in a skirmish with the Manyelethi males. At 14 years 8 months of age this female led a successful life and raised a number of cubs to independency. A good month of sightings of the Eyrefield pride though, with numerous sightings of both the main pride and the two lionesses that are on their own. The two lionesses were seen mostly on the western bank, although they occasionally crossed onto the eastern side of the river and went as far east as the White Cloth, and even into the Manyelethi River where they found the Manyelethi males feeding on a buffalo calf. It was at this sighting that the one lioness met up with a Manyelethi male and went off to mate.
The sub-adults in the pride were seen on several occasions pestering a herd of buffalo in order to get a meal. They were successful on two occasions. The first time they caught an sub-adult male buffalo and on the second occasion they snagged a young calf. They caught the sub-adult in the Sand River, and were able to feed on it for a few days. The male from the Marthly pride had a few visibly new wounds: a slash across his face and two puncture wounds on his back. However these wounds don't seem to be hampering him as he is moving around freely with the rest of the herd. The sub-adult male with the half tail is still looking a bit worse for wear however. Perhaps with winter coming he will be able to partake in a few large meals and get himself back on track.
May 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 9
1 ADULT FEMALE 14 YEARS 2 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 12 YEARS 7 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 9 YEARS 6 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 3 YEARS 11 MONTHS
2 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 1 FEMALE) 3 YEARS 10 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (MARTHLY PRIDE) 5 YEARS 11 MONTHS
MALAMALA, FLOCKFIELD
(12 sightings)
All the pride members were seen at least once during the month. It's a relief for us to know they are all alive even if they are still very fragmented. The bulk of the sightings were of the two separated adults that have started courting the Manyelethi males. This is the logical move, but it might further separate this already deeply divided pride and perhaps even permanently split the pride in two. This would be a great shame, but if the males don't start accepting the young sub-adult females it could become a reality. Perhaps the best answer would be for the three young males to move out and leave the young females to join up with the older ones in order to try and gain acceptance from the Manyelethi males. Either way the winter months are going to be a very trying time for the Eyrefield pride, and could well determine the future of the pride. Let's hope they manage to stay together and fall peacefully under the reign of the ever dominant Manyelethi males.
April 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 10
1 ADULT FEMALE 14 YEARS 1 MONTH
1 ADULT FEMALE 12 YEARS 6 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 9 YEARS 5 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 3 YEARS 10 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 3 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (MARTHLY PRIDE) 5 YEARS 10 MONTHS
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
(12 sightings)
All sightings of the Eyrefield pride this month were of two of the adult lionesses that broke away from the rest of the pride. They were seen in the Sand River just north of West Street Bridge for about a week. They were successful in killing a female Water buck close to the river, and then a few days later were able to overpower a male kudu. The availability of food, coupled with the proximity to water and dense cover, allowed the lionesses to remain in the area relatively unchallenged. On 3 occasions during this last month they were seen in the company of the Manyelethi males, a sign that they have accepted them as the dominant coalition in the area. They were seen mostly on the Western Bank, bar for the week they spent around the aforementioned kills. We wait anxiously to see when, and indeed if, the rest of the pride joins up with these two lionesses. As the water dries up and the buffalo herds tend towards the Sand River, it will be interesting to watch the movements and developments of the Eyrefield, as last year they proved to be very effective hunters of the big bovines.
March 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 10
1 ADULT FEMALE 17 YEARS
1 ADULT FEMALE 12 YEARS 5 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 9 YEARS 4 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 3 YEARS 9 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 3 YEARS 8 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (MARTHLY PRIDE) 5 YEARS 9 MONTHS
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
(5 sightings)
the five sightings consisted of the two separated females and five members of the largegroup. Of the sub adults we saw one male, three females and the third adult female. Rumour has been confirmed and the pride has only two sub adult males left and of course the adopted male. With recent interest shown by the Manyelethi males it looks like this pride is in for another tough year which could devastate the pride, but with the sub adults now approaching four years in age the males could finally change their stance and look to take over the pride instead of trying to hunt down and kill the members. But the pride could also keep on the run and with the Marthly male coming into his prime he could look to take over the pride. This winter will be very interesting and could determine the fate of the pride, lets hope it turns out well and no more members get killed.
February 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 11
1 ADULT FEMALE 16 YEARS 11 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 12 YEARS 4 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 9 YEARS 3 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 3 YEARS 8 MONTHS
4 SUB ADULTS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 3 YEARS 7 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (MARTHLY PRIDE) 5 YEARS 8 MONTHS
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
(3sightings)
The Eyrefield pride was only seen on three occasions during this report period. On one occasion there was only one female seen, she was one of the females who was the mother of the young cubs, the last of which is no longer alive. On the other two occasions a bulk of the pride were seen with five and six members respectively. On both occasions the young male from the Marthly pride was present. The relatively few sightings of this pride may well be due to the fact that the Manyelethi males have been very present on Mala Mala. The Eyrefield pride are most likely trying to avoid the wrath of these four males. Recent trend suggest that the viewing of this pride peaks during the dry winter months, with the pride segmented and the two lionesses now without cubs, reports from our neighbours indicate that the last remaining cub was slain during this last report period, it remains to be seen whether or not they are able to find and reunite successfully with their natal pride. This may be vital for the pride as they will bring with them experience and power. It will also be interesting to watch what happens to the young males and indeed the male from the Marthly pride, as the young males near four years old they may well be ousted from the pride and of course there is the ever present threat of the Manyelethi males which needs to be avoided.
January 2011
EYREFIELD PRIDE = 12
1 ADULT FEMALE 16 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 12 YEARS 2 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 9 YEARS 1 MONTH
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 3 YEARS 6 MONTHS
4 SUB ADULTS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 3 YEAR 5 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (MARTHLY PRIDE) 5 YEARS 6 MONTHS
1 CUB 8 MONTHS
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
(3 sightings)
Only eight sightings for the report period of this pride, which is consistent compared to past years. It seems to be a definite pattern that during the summer months they are seen less and then during the drier wetter months sightings are more prolific. The dynamics have changed a little bit more in this pride with the bulk of the pride now just been the younger lion. Most of the sightings have just been of five or six lions together, three of those been young lionesses, the Marthly male and two of the young males. A report from the west has said that one of the young males was killed by a buffalo but this has yet to be verified. There was one sighting of one of the older lionesses by herself but the lioness with the remaining cub has still not been seen for many weeks now. The Marthly male has grown in stature and it still remains to be seen what will happen to him. This year should be an interesting year to follow the pride as the young males reach that age where they have to leave the pride and become nomads, whether the Marthly male leaves with these young males or stays with the young females is anyone’s guess.
