EYREFIELD PRIDE

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Eyrefield Lioness - Image By Andrew Bachelor

December 2009

EYREFIELD PRIDE = 11

1 ADULT FEMALE 15 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 11 YEARS 2 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 8 YEARS 1 MONTH
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEARS 6 MONTHS
4 SUB ADULTS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEAR 5 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (MARTHLY PRIDE) 4 YEARS 6 MONTHS

MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
(5 sightings)

The pride continues to live in the west and the five sightings we did have were only of single females. Two of the adult females were seen mating with the Mlowathi males. The first female was the middle aged female and she mated with the Mohawk male for several day around the airstrip. The second female to mate with the males was the eldest female and she mated with the kinky tailed male. If this mating were to be successful it would be inbreeding as the Mlowathi males are originally from the Eyrefield pride but in first generation inbreeding there doesn’t seem to be any ill effects. Reports from the west also suggest that the females have been mating with the two golf course males and so there looks like there could be a power struggle brewing for this pride. interesting times lie ahead for the Eyrefield pride.

November 2009

EYREFIELD PRIDE = 11

1 ADULT FEMALE 15 YEARS 8 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 11 YEARS 1 MONTH
1 ADULT FEMALE 8 YEARS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEARS 5 MONTHS
4 SUB ADULTS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEAR 4 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (MARTHLY PRIDE) 4 YEARS 5 MONTHS

MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
(9 sightings)

They spent most of this month to our west exploring some territories left vacant by the demise of several lion prides in the recent past. As the Eyrefield males developed in the western sector they became famous for killing lions and not only other rival males but entire pride of females. This brutal approach has left many territories without resident prides and the Eyrefield pride and the Selati pride have started exploring these possibilities. But having said that we still got to see them on nine occasions, most of this was on Charleston were in the last three years they have spent very little time, possibly also looking to move into there. They pride was at its full compliment for the entire month something that also hasn’t happened in many moons. The Rollercoaster male was also present for the entire month and look in very good condition. The pride wasn’t seen on any kills this month but whenever rangers found them they always seemed well fed and content. A good sign for the pride is that some stability has returned and this has allowed the pride to remain in tact and has given them time to heal and recover from the last year’s beatings at the hands of the Mlowathi males. Lets hope this pride this pride stays on Mala Mala as it would be a great loss to all if they shifted their territory away.

October 2009

EYREFIELD PRIDE = 11

1 ADULT FEMALE 15 YEARS 7 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 11 YEARS
1 ADULT FEMALE 7 YEARS 11 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEARS 4 MONTHS
4 SUB ADULTS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEAR 3 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (MARTHLY PRIDE) 4 YEARS 4 MONTHS
MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
(14 sightings)
The beginning of the month started off as poorly as the month before ended, the pride was split up and the Rollercoaster male was missing. The group of eight went down to seven as another young female went missing then the pride came back and several of the youngsters had fresh scars covering their rear ends, then the missing females came back and it looked as if the fortunes of the pride had finally changed. The two missing members from last month were finally reunited and the pride was whole again, now where was the old Rollercoaster male. Then right at the end of the month like a corpse rising from the dead the Rollercoaster male was found with the pride one morning. The pride slept in the riverbed for most of the day but got active in the early afternoon. They moved out of the river and headed south, moving with purpose rangers followed in anticipation of something special to come. The pride came across the large herd of buffalo and immediately set about hunting them. Running in on the panicked herd the pride managed to separate a cow, chasing it around a fallen over tree the pride managed to bring it down while going at full stride. The Rollercoaster male was the one who delivered the killing strangle hold showing everyone he’s still got it. So by the end of the report period the pride was back together wounds were healing and they had their male back to.

September 2009

EYREFIELD PRIDE = 11

1 ADULT FEMALE 15 YEARS 6 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 10 YEARS 11 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 7 YEARS 10 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEARS 3 MONTHS
4 SUB ADULTS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEAR 2 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (MARTHLY PRIDE) 4 YEARS 1 MONTH

MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
(14 sightings)

The Eyrefield pride had mixed fortunes this month. At the beginning of the report period the pride made a buffalo kill but as rangers found them feeding on the kill five young males unknown to us also approached the area. the males aged between four and five charged at the pride and sent them reeling for cover. The young male coalition took control of the buffalo and the pride regrouped. Several days after the attack two lions, one female and sub adult male cub were found wondering around one their own, they were quite badly beaten up and had several nasty wounds. The two separated lions continued to walk in circles looking for the pride but always seemed one step behind, turning left when they should have turned right. The bulk of the pride then lost the Rollercoaster male, either he got caught in a fight or just separated somehow. But the pride was down to nine. Then another sub adult female disappeared and the pride was eight. The eight members made another buffalo kill close to Rattrays camp but none of the missing members rejoined the group. Then the pride was back to nine when the single female showed up. And by the end of the month the pride was back to full strength when the two wondering lions found the pride again. Alls well that ends well.

August 2009

EYREFIELD PRIDE = 11

1 ADULT FEMALE 15 YEARS 5 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 10 YEARS 10 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 7 YEARS 9 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEARS 2 MONTHS
4 SUB ADULTS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEAR 1 MONTH
1 ADULT MALE (TSALALA PRIDE) 4 YEARS

MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
(12 sightings)

The pride had a very fragmented month this month many sightings being of only some of the members. To start off the month the oldest male cub of the Eyrefield pride still hadn’t found the rest of the pride was seen wondering around the sand river between west street bridge and Rattrays camp. One morning rangers found him full bellied but with a porcupine quill stuck squarely between his eyes. For some days after that we wondered around with the quill lodged in his forehead until finally one night he’d had enough and after much squealing managed to pull the quill out. Shortly after that five member of the pride were found jogging away from the two Eyrefield males, the males thankfully didn’t find the five lions and turned their attentions on the buffalo herd that was drinking at Dudley crossing. The next day the five lions had disappeared but in their place we found four more members of the Eyrefield pride including the young male who had the porcupine quill in his head feeding on a buffalo kill around Charleston north, the next day they too had moved on. Some time after that the whole pride and the Rollercoaster male were found on Charleston but the following day only three females of the pride could be located and they were at boomers crossing on Toulon, the next day the whole pride were found together again but on central Flockfield and then during the evening they ran into the Styx pride. After much chasing and roaring neither pride looked worse for wear but the Eyrefield pride looked to come out stronger as they regrouped and started following the retreating Styx pride. Then later during the month the pride were found crossing the airstrip in the middle of the day, while heading to the river they came across some buffalo bulls, which they tried to hunt, but the wiley old bulls spotted them a long way off. All in all a very nomadic month but by the end of it they were all alive and back together and all except for one limping female all looked to be in great shape.

July 2009

EYREFIELD PRIDE = 11

1 ADULT FEMALE 15 YEARS 4 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 10 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 7 YEARS 8 MONTHS
4 SUB ADULTS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEARS 1 MONTH
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEAR
1 ADULT MALE (TSALALA PRIDE) 3 YEARS 10 MONTHS

MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
(15 sightings)

A good month of sightings for the Eyrefield Pride compared to last month’s five. The Rollercoaster male and the Tsalala male are still with the pride, except on a few occasions where the Rollercoaster male was absent. Their movements on the property are still Flockfield as far east as the Windmill area and southwestern Mala Mala. This pride continues to be harassed by the two Eyrefield males. On one occasion the three adult lionesses appeared to be getting hunted down by the two brawly males, they made good their escape by leaving the juveniles elsewhere. The Tsalala male was found later on in the same day with the juveniles right up at Matshapiri Open area, which is very north for this pride. The next day however they were all found to be together again.
On two occasions there was good feeding behaviour to be observed, one was over a female Nyala and the other was a sub- adult female buffalo. Towards the end of the report period one of the juvenile males was found repeatedly by himself in the vicinity of West Street Bridge and Flockfield Boma crossing. He seems to be getting desperate as he was found with a porcupine quill stuck in his forehead, he did manage to extricate it though. Why he is split off from the rest of the pride is unknown but more than likely as a result from the pressure being applied by the Eyrefield males.

June 2009

EYREFIELD PRIDE = 11

1 ADULT FEMALE 15 YEARS 3 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 10 YEARS 8 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 7 YEARS 7 MONTHS
4 SUB ADULTS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 2 YEARS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 1 YEAR 11 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (TSALALA PRIDE) 3 YEARS 9 MONTHS

MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
(5 sightings)

The pride is not being seen as much as they were last year but this is understandable as the cubs are now almost fully-fledged members of the pride. The greater majority of the Eyrefield pride territory lies to our west and hence the reason for the lack of sightings. As the winter takes full effect expect this pride to make more appearances along the sand river searching for the game that will be congregating along its banks. At the beginning of the month the pride was found with a bull giraffe kill in the Kapen, they finished this off in two days and then moved west again. The rollercoaster male is still present with the pride and looks to still be firmly in control. The pride was also seen hunting a herd of buffalo during the middle of the month and although unsuccessful on this attempt you would expect them to be concentrating on the larger game in order to feed themselves.

May 2009

EYREFIELD PRIDE = 11

1 ADULT FEMALE 15 YEARS 2 MONTH
1 ADULT FEMALE 10 YEARS 7 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 7 YEARS 6 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 1 YEAR 11 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT MALE 1 YEAR 11 MONTHS
3 SUB ADULTS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 1 YEAR 10 MONTHS
1 ADULT MALE (TSALALA PRIDE) 3 YEARS 8 MONTHS

MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
(11 sightings)

It has now being confirmed that there are only seven of the sub-adults left, with the second one being killed by one of the Eyrefield males during the month. Most interestingly is that all of the sightings of the pride are on the Eastern bank. Now that the water is starting to dry out the pride is spending more time in the vicinity of the Sand River. At the beginning of the report period there were a few occasions where only two of the sub- adults and the male from the Tsalala pride were together. This was probably after the encounter with Eyrefield males, which caused the pride to split. It was only temporary as in the next few sightings they were all seen together. The Rollercoaster male is still with this pride and seems to be flourishing off the kills that they make. Besides the loss of the two cubs the pride is doing extremely well with all members looking strong and healthy. Perhaps if the Eyrefield males gain full control of the Styx pride they will stop they wonderings and the Eyrefield pride will stop receiving their attention leaving them and their cubs to grow into what we hope will be a powerful pride like that of old.

March 2009

EYREFIELD PRIDE = 12

1 ADULT FEMALE 15 YEARS
1 ADULT FEMALE 10 YEARS 5 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 7 YEARS 4 MONTHS
4 CUBS (1 MALE 2 FEMALE) 1 YEAR 9 MONTHS
1 MALE CUB 1 YEAR 9 MONTHS
4 CUBS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 1 YEAR 8 MONTHS
1 MALE (TSALALA PRIDE) 3 YEARS 6 MONTHS

MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
(2 sightings)

A terrible month for the Eyrefield pride, they were only seen twice on Mala Mala both times around the airstrip. The young male from the Tsalala pride has become a fully integrated member of the pride, he is about three and a half to four years old, he has a small blonde mane developing but he is very large in size already and will continue to grow. The Tsalala pride was formally known as the Marthly pride on Mala Mala some years ago and this male is one of the Split Rock male coalitions off spring so big genes are in him. Let’s hope nothing happens to him and possibly in the future he might take over the pride.
The terrible news from the pride is that the young female cub that was missing looks to have either died or being killed. She has not been seen since last month and we are still awaiting reports from our neighbours to confirm her death. This is a double blow for the pride that is in the process of rebuilding, she died at such a late adolescent age and she was a female. The rest of the members of the Eyrefield pride are all looking healthy and so hopefully no more setbacks are in store for them.

Cub of the Eyrefield Pride - Image By Andrew Bachelor

Febuary 2009

EYREFIELD PRIDE = 12

1 ADULT FEMALE 14 YEARS 11 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 10 YEARS 4 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 7 YEARS 3 MONTHS
4 CUBS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 1 YEAR 8 MONTHS
1 MALE CUB 1 YEAR 8 MONTHS
4 CUBS (1 MALE 3 FEMALE) 1 YEAR 7 MONTHS

MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
(7 sightings)

Compared to six months ago the Eyrefield pride had a very poor month in terms of viewing but this is understandable as they are now moving back into parts of their territory abandoned while the cubs were young. The young male from the Tsalala pride has been fully accepted into the ranks as a cub and is seen grooming the pride and joining in with the cubs antics. The eldest female has got a nasty cut above her right eye but seems to be able to use the eye without hindrance. The pride made several attempts on the impala herds and single wildebeest on the airstrip but each time the animals got away. Towards the end of the month a cause for concern was had when the pride returned with one female cub short. The pride remained on the property for 3 days and during that period the cub wasn’t seen. The pride moved off and haven’t been seen since, hopefully the cub just got lost it would be a shame to lose a cub especially a female at this late stage of adolescence.

January 2009

EYREFIELD PRIDE = 12

1 ADULT FEMALE 14 YEARS 10 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE 10 YEARS 3 MONTH
1 ADULT FEMALE 7 YEARS 2 MONTHS
4 CUBS (2 MALE 2 FEMALE) 1 YEAR 8 MONTHS
1 MALE CUB 1 YEAR 7 MONTHS
4 CUBS (1 MALE 3 FEMALE) 1 YEAR 7 MONTHS

MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON
(11 sightings)

This pride has spent most of the month in the west, making brief excursions onto Mala Mala.. Their favourite hunting grounds are on the edge of our property where a lot of territorial wildebeest are located. They seem to come on to Mala Mala to maintain their territory and then head straight back west.

The young male lion (+- 3 years old) is still with the pride and they seem to have adopted him as one of their own. This is strange as the Rollercoaster is still dominant within the pride, although visits them infrequently. With the Rollercoaster male being fairly old it is likely that within the year he will be pushed out and this young male could possibly take over the pride.

MalaMala Game Reserve, PO Box 55514, Northlands, 2116, South Africa.
Telephone: + 27 11 442 2267 or 0861 SAFARI.
Facsimile: + 27 11 442 2318
e-Mail: reservations@malamala.com

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