EYREFIELD PRIDE
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Photograph by ranger Bruce Hedges
EYREFIELD PRIDE Archives : 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
| December 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 12 1 ADULT FEMALE * 13 YEARS 9 MONTHS Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLSETON
The Eyrefield Pride was seen on MalaMala on almost every day in this report period, making them the most viewed lions on MalaMala this month. The cubs of the Eyrefield pride are doing very well and they are growing up strong. They are now little miniature versions of the lions they will eventually become, no longer the cute little balls of fluff they once were. The cubs are tagging along now on the hunts, but remaining behind for the actual stalk and chase, as they are as yet still too inexperienced to join in on this final stage.
Early in the report period the Eyrefield pride was found with a sub adult buffalo kill in the Hyena Waterhole area. This was quickly finished and two days later they were on the move again. The three lionesses showed their hunting prowess midway through the report period when they killed an adult male giraffe close to the Hogvaal Donga area. They tracked and chased this giraffe for the better part of a full day and night and must have killed it just before dawn, an amazing feat for just three lionesses. During the course of devouring this giraffe the Rollercoaster male made his way back to the Eyrefield pride. It had only been a short while since they had turned on him in the Sand River and at first they again did not accept his presence around the cubs. However, a day later and he was feeding on the giraffe with the pride. Thereafter he was again seen often with them.
The Eyrefield pride spent most of this month in the area around the Kapen River and east towards the central parts of MalaMala and Flockfield. Hopefully these cubs are beginning to stand a better chance of survival in a world where male dominance hangs by a thread and the Rollercoaster male could be ousted at any moment. Each new day brings strength and life lessons for these little ones and so far the lionesses are doing a wonderful job of raising all nine. November 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 13 1 ADULT FEMALE * 13 YEARS 8 MONTHS Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLSETON The Eyrefield pride is also doing very well. All nine of the cubs are going strong and growing fast. This pride is spending a large amount of time on MalaMala, which is providing us some excellent lion viewing as well as cub viewing. The cubs are still very eager to play and often they can be found rolling over the females or each other.
The pride was not seen for a number of days during the first part of the report period, and when they were discovered moving steadily north and east from entrance Dudley look out, it was a relief to rangers. The pride continued and stole the carcass of a male impala from the Kapen female leopard, providing much entertainment as they fought over the scraps of the carcass. The pride spent some time in the vicinity of the Kapen, and a highlight of the month was when rangers viewed the pride, together with the Rollercoaster male; take down an adult male impala in an open area off Tjololo road. The following day, evidence suggested that they had fed on an adult male Nyala on the banks of the southern reaches of the Kapen River. With the pride often catching smaller prey species, the cubs tend to get very little in the line of left-overs, and hence could start putting pressure on the lionesses to put themselves at risk whilst attempting to catch bigger prey species.
On one memorable occasion towards the end of the report period, the pride was found in the vicinity of Styx rocks, a favored den site to the pride from years gone by.
October 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 13 1 ADULT FEMALE * 13 YEARS 6 MONTHS Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLSETON The Eyrefield pride again had a solid month on MalaMala, with them being seen nearly every day. The cubs are still young enough that the pride stays resident in one place for a lengthy period of time. The cubs were again the main attraction for many a guest as they played, tackled, chased, and slept on top of each other.
The Rollercoaster male was with the pride on most occasions when not mating with the Styx lionesses. The highlight of the Eyrefield pride was when rangers witnessed them kill a zebra off Tshabalala road, once the females fed off the carcass they went and fetched the cubs who had been stashed near by and the pride minus the Rollercoaster male fed off the zebra for two days.
One situation that had rangers concerned was when one of the cubs went missing for eight days. The pride moved into an area scheduled for burning and when the fire went through the pride moved out but were short one of the younger cubs. The cub was seen alone after six days and it took the females an extra two days to find it again. But for now all nine cubs are safely back with the pride and growing every day.
The pride briefly moved east out of the Sand River into the Hogvaal donga where they had the encounter with the Styx lioness, they then moved west towards the boundary and the females crossed several times on hunting expeditions but the cubs have since been moved back to the safety of the Sand River near Wildebeest Crossing close to where most of them were born.
September 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 12 1 ADULT FEMALE * 13 YEARS 5 MONTHS Location: MALAMALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON The Eyrefield pride was once again the most frequently seen pride of lions on MalaMala, with the pride being seen on all but the last day of the report period. All the cubs are doing relatively well, with all nine now starting to take their toll on their mother’s patience. The mothers are more reluctant to allow the cubs to feed. The lionesses are often seen to go hunting in both the morning and the evening, however disappointingly, the lionesses have not been witnessed to have much success in catching substantial prey. Numerous times the lionesses have shown signs of having fed during the night, however the kills are assumed to have been small, as they were not witnessed to feed. Rangers, having witnessed them kill a female impala and a female nyala, confirmed this.
One presumes that the cubs are thus not feeding on a lot of the kills. This appears to be starting to take its toll on the cubs, with a number of the older cubs being slightly malnourished. One hope that the lionesses will not, in an act of desperation, injure themselves in trying to bring down larger prey, but that they will manage to feed the cubs.
August 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 13 1 ADULT FEMALE * 13 YEARS 4 MONTHS Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
The Eyrefield pride has had an excellent month and were seen every day this report period. Each day has brought new strength to the pride. The Rollercoaster male has been spending a lot of his time with the pride at the moment and is being a great father to the cubs of the pride. The cubs have been growing rapidly and their mothers are now weaning them off milk and onto meat. Early in the report period the pride was found opposite Rattrays camp in an area known as the Tamboti Thickets. They had caught a male kudu and were busy feeding. This is the second time the cubs have been seen eating meat, however it is early days and they regularly return to their mothers for milk. The lions were seen regularly in the Sand River south of the West Street Bridge. Then on the evening of the 02 August, the lions were found just south of the airstrip. In a large open area they had just killed an old male giraffe. All three adult lionesses, the Rollercoaster male and 5 cubs were feeding on the carcass.
This kill lasted 10 days and provided some of the best viewing we have ever had of lions and cubs on a large kill. They spent those 10 days feeding, sleeping, chasing hyenas and vultures or moving to the river to drink. After the lions were done with the kill it was the hyenas and vultures turn and they stripped what was left of the carcass clean in 4 days. Recently the pride has established a new den site in the Sand River north of the West Street Bridge. It was here, in the evening of the 18 August that we got a new surprise. Four new cubs were found with the Eyrefield pride. These small cubs, aged about one month old, are likely to have been lying in the river while the giraffe was consumed. Since then the pride has remained at the new den site and all nine cubs are doing very well.
July 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 10 1 ADULT FEMALE * 13 YEARS 3 MONTHS Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLSETON The Eyrefield Pride has provided some great lion viewing over this game report period. The two lionesses with the cubs have allowed for excellent viewing. With the lionesses being of a relaxed disposition, the cubs have taken very little notice of the vehicles. The initial chosen den site around Maxims lookout serviced for quite some time, with the lionesses gradually moving the cubs southwards. Towards the end of the report period, the cubs were seen on a number of occasions in the reed beds to the south of the MalaMala bridge. Lions choose to continually move their cubs so as to reduce the chances of attracting unwanted attention to an area with excessive lion scent. Particularly somewhat alarming is the fact that large numbers of elephants have been seen in the areas in which the cubs have been known to be hiding, this being undesirable as elephants are known to kill lion cubs. With the bushveld drying as we move into the latter parts of winter, animals are attracted to the Sand River for water. One hopes that the cubs will manage to stay out of danger in the coming months.
The pride also provided much excitement with their regular frequency of viewed hunts, with four kills being made whilst rangers were in attendance, two of which were a mere stones throw away from the main camp. Interestingly, the lionesses were seen to lead the cubs to the carcass of a freshly killed adult male nyala carcass, just to the south of Rattray’s camp. Although the cubs were not seen to feed, the fact that they were introduced to meat is of great significance. On a note of concern, the fourth lioness of the pride has not been seen with the pride since late April. One hopes that the third lioness from the pride will also bless the pride with new life in the coming months.
June 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 10 1 ADULT FEMALE * 13 YEARS 2 MONTHS Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLSETON
It has been a truly interesting month for the 4 lionesses of the Eyrefield pride. Since the beginning of the month they have been seen to move beyond the confines of the old and new airstrip and the Sand River on very few occasions, mostly towards the beginning of the report period. For the rangers this has been a welcome relief with the lionesses as well as the Rollercoaster male providing excellent viewing in June. These lions were regularly seen at the start of the month meandering around the Sand River, from Bicycle Crossing Hippo Pools and River Road Mvubu, to West Street and between Lion Loop and the Campbell road, west of the New Airstrip. The Eyrefield lionesses then up and disappeared for several days with only a few sightings of one or two lioness in the Sand River around Wildebeest Crossing. Most of the sightings there after were in the late afternoon, early evening or early morning on the New Airstrip.
This disappearance of the lionesses, especially those that had looked so pregnant before, was of real excitement, and this excitement was well rewarded on the evening of the 25 June 2007 with the discovery of 4 very young lion cubs (+- 4 weeks old). Sightings over the next few days showed that there were 6 new cubs (2 of approximately 6 weeks old and 4 of approximately 4 weeks old). The lionesses had been very skillfully hiding them in the reeds of the river around the Wildebeest Crossing. In the past the Eyrefield pride has been very successful in the raising of cubs under ideal conditions. However at present, with the male territories in such turmoil and no strong dominant male coalition other than the Rollercoaster males to look after the pride, conditions are far from ideal. There is every indication now that the previous litter of cubs is no more, and this would almost certainly be due to the lack of male leadership in the area. We can only hope that the same fate does not await these new little lions as they seek to make their way in the big, wide world of Mala Mala. May 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 10 1 ADULT FEMALE * 13 YEARS 1 MONTHS Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLSETON Although all four lionesses of the Eyrefield pride were not seen together during the report period, they enjoyed a relatively stable month. One of the younger lionesses appears to be heavily pregnant, and with a bit of luck, she may be successful in raising her offspring to adult hood.
Importantly, none of the six cubs have been seen for close on three months now. One must remember that only one in ten cubs are believed to survive to adulthood, however with a bit of luck, these cubs could still be alive. Behavior of the lionesses observed by rangers suggests that the lionesses could still be nursing cubs, however there is no clear signs of the lionesses still lactating. The lionesses were seen to hunt giraffe on at least three occasions during the report period, providing little more than entertainment for the guests and a slap in the face for the lions. April 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 10 1 ADULT FEMALE *13 YEARS Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLSETON After a period of absence the Eyrefield pride appeared on the 6th of April on the new airstrip. A small herd of buffalo was also found lying down in the vicinity of the airstrip. In the presence of the two Rollercoaster brothers, the pride made a number of bold attempts in isolating a younger member of the buffalo herd. In the midst of the chase one of the Rollercoaster males made time to mate with one of the lionesses on the airstrip. The pride chased the herd of buffalo west and was not seen again for a couple of days. On the morning of the 14th three lionesses of the pride were found close the airstrip but this time without the presence of the Rollercoaster males. Two days later all members of the pride were present. They scent marked as they walked through the booms close to camp. There has been no sign of their cubs during this month. The pride was seen infrequently during the middle of the report period and perhaps it is because they have moved their cubs further west. However, towards the end of the report period the pride was seen more frequently. All members of the pride, except for their cubs, were found just south of the new airstrip. With much time spent in the west the Rollercoaster males have not been patrolling their territory as rigorously. This has possibly allowed the Styx pride to be seen more frequently during the past month. Towards the end of the game report period the two brothers were seen around Campbell Koppies scent marking and roaring in the evenings (which could be heard from the Buffalo deck). It will be interesting to see how far they patrol their territory and whether the cubs are still alive during the next reporting period as only 1 in 10 cubs make it to adulthood in the wild. March 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 10 1 ADULT FEMALE *13 YEARS Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLSETON Another solid start for the Eyrefield Pride, which has been the most frequently viewed lions on MalaMala this month. The first sighting of the pride was on the morning of 28 th of February when they where found on the Flockfield Lookout. There were two lionesses present accompanied by the Rollercoaster Males. The lions were feeding on the remains of a buffalo calf. The next evening these lions were joined by another one of the lionesses and two our delight three little cubs. They were followed as they hunted north until they came across the Bicycle Crossing Male leopard that was trying to kill a buffalo calf. Not long after the discovery of the leopard the lions appropriated the kill and chased the leopard.
Two days later Rangers came across two of the Eyrefield lions and the three cubs in the Sand River close to Rattray’s Camp. The lions were left as they walked into some thick reeds. The rangers had audio of more cubs in the area, but could not follow up. The Eyrefield Pride was not seen again until the 6 th of March close to their last position in the Sand River. There were two of the lionesses present and now six cubs in the reeds close to Flockfield Pool. The cubs provided some great entertainment as they played in the reeds. Over the next week these lions were viewed many times in the Flockfield region and often with their cubs in the river close to Flockfield Pool. We have limited the sighting to one vehicle at a time until the cubs relax in the presence of Land Rovers.
Towards the end of the report period the Eyrefield Pride were seen once again, this time in the Piccadilly Triangle area, which used to be core Styx Pride territory. Many years ago the Styx Pride used to frequent the Flockfield area of the reserve, around the Kapen River and one of its crossings called Styx Crossing, hence the territorial name, “Styx Pride”. The Eyrefield Pride used to frequent the northeastern parts of the reserve, “Eyrefield” which after the ousting of the West Street Males and Eyrefield Pride by the then new Split Rock Males became Styx Pride territory. Could they be swapping back?
All in all, the future looks good for the Eyrefield Lions with many new additions and some very secure guardians, the Rollercoaster Males. Only time will tell. February 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 4 1 ADULT FEMALE * 12 YEARS 11 MONTHS Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLSETON The Eyrefield Pride were first seen in the report period on the 26th of January in the central parts of Flockfield. The lions all looked to be in good health with the exception of the older Rollercoaster Male who was still battling with his front left leg, an injury thought to have been sustained the previous week. These animals have a remarkable pain threshold, and the male appeared to be more tolerant of the injury as the length of activity increased. Encouragingly the injury appears to be healing, which is very important not only for his health, but the ability of the males to hold the territory and provide stability to the Eyrefield pride.
Possibly one of the most unforgettable sightings of the Eyrefield pride was when the pride revealed a young cub to onlookers. The prospects of any lion cub surviving till adult hood are not more than fifty percent, but the future looks good for this youngster, with two large male lions as his guardians. This introduction of the cub is promising for the future of the Eyrefield pride, which was once the largest pride at Mala Mala. Perhaps a few more cubs are still to be revealed, and the pride can then be expected to increase to a healthy number.
January 2007 EYREFIELD PRIDE = 4 1 ADULT FEMALE * 12 YEARS 10 MONTHS Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLSETON The Eyrefield pride had a good start to the report period as two Eyrefield lionesses and the two Rollercoaster males were found the day after Christmas lying down on the western bank of the Sand River opposite Rattray’s Camp. One of the lionesses looked to be heavily pregnant. They then got active that evening and moved westwards off the property, but were found a few days later on new years day to be lying down in the exact same place as before. The lions were seen again in the middle part of the month moving around the central parts of the reserve often accompanied by the one or in some cases both of the Rollercoaster males. One of the more memorable sightings was when three members of the pride and the elder Rollercoaster male lion were watched as they hunted in the Thamboti Thicket region. Guests watched as the lions successfully caught an adult female Nyala. Two of these lions are lactating heavily, which leads us to believe that they have cubs. Only time will tell for our once largest lion pride, yet the future looks promising. MalaMala
Game Reserve, PO Box 55514, Northlands, 2116, South Africa. Copyright © Rattray Reserves |
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