December 2005

During the beginning of the game report period the 6 Eyrefield males were seen together with 6 of the females of the Eyrefield Pride and provided some hunting action but were unsuccessful. Frequent sightings of members of this pride were made from Rattray’s camp itself, including sightings of one of the old lionesses from the pride who was not looking in good condition. However, the fragmented nature of this pride continued with most sightings consisting of either the young males together or small groups of females. One has to wonder whether these separations are becoming more permanent with the young males coming of age and looking to confront either the ageing Rollercoaster males in the south or the equally ageing Split Rock males in the north. The majority of these youngsters almost have full manes and are promising to become a formidable coalition looking to reclaim the former territory of their fathers, the West Street males. To this date, however, they have not been heard roaring with any confidence or engaging in any real aggressive behaviour.

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November 2005

As has been the case for years now, the Eyrefield Pride operated mainly in sub-groups, but on a few occasions, as many as 12 lions (6 males and 6 females) were seen together. The Eyrefield Males appear to have not yet asserted themselves as a territorial coalition, and definitely retreated from the advancing Split Rock Males on at least two occasions. They did, however, have the upper hand in a clash with a number of sub-adult males of the Selati Pride.

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October 2005

While the Styx Pride made up most of the lion sightings in the north of the reserve, the Eyrefield Pride put in a strong presence in the south, with several sightings within a few kilometres of the prominent bend in the Sand River near KK Crossing on Toulon . The majority of sightings were of a few male and female lions together, but sometimes the males were on their own.

The largest Eyrefield Pride contingent seen in October consisted of 11 lions, namely 6 females and 5 males. These 11 lions were seen together just once and they were feeding on a buffalo carcass on the Kapen River near Styx Crossing. A day prior to the Eyrefield Pride arriving on the scene of this buffalo carcass three of the Skukuza Males were feeding on it. Indications are that the Eyrefield Pride, boosted by the presence of 5 males, claimed the kill from the Skukuza Males. The Skukuza Males, however, remained in the area and there was something of a non-violent stand-off. The nature of interactions between the Skukuza Males and Eyrefield Males suggested that neither coalition can yet be considered to be fully territorial. A few months ago already it seemed that some of the Eyrefield Males were establishing themselves as a territorial coalition, but the resurgence of the Rollercoaster Males in the southern parts of the reserve seems to have at least temporarily halted the march of the Eyrefield Males.

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September 2005

Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON

There were a few sightings of five of the Eyrefield Males together, looking well fed and in good shape. Although physically a very powerful coalition, the Eyrefield Males still seem to be in the process of establishing themselves, and they have not “taken over” a pride or a territory within Mala Mala’s boundaries. The return of the Rollercoaster Males, and the strong presence of four other young male lions, has no doubt given the Eyrefield Males something to think about!

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August 2005

The six males were on occasion all seen together (once in the company of at least five of the females), but for much of the time, four of the males operated separately from the other two.

The most interesting sightings involving Eyrefield Pride members were probably those when the pride clashed with the Styx Pride. The first clash took place close to Flockfield Boma Crossing, when all 8 members of the Styx Pride, having spent the day resting at the confluence of the Matshapiri and the Sand Rivers , moved south and came upon several of the Eyrefield Pride members on the western bank of the Sand River . Both prides were active at the time, and some of the lionesses had spread out, as they often do when on the hunt. One of the Eyrefield Pride females saw a lioness lying down to her north, and seemed to think it was one of her own pride. She walked straight to that lioness, as if to go and greet her, and only after a couple of seconds, did both lionesses realise that they were not of the same pride! The Eyrefield lioness had walked up to the injured Styx lioness. There was a brief, noisy exchange, and for a few minutes, lions from both prides were running around, roaring. As was the case once before, the injured lioness and the three cubs of the Styx Pride moved well clear of the action, and did not take an active part in the exchange. The noise attracted the attention of 5 or 6 of the Eyrefield Males, who suddenly appeared on the scene, and chased the Styx Pride north and west. There were no casualties, but it was apparent that the Eyrefield Pride had the upper hand, especially once all the males arrived.

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July 2005

The Eyrefield Males tended to stick together for much of the month, and seem to be doing well. On one occasion they were seen, along with two of the lionesses, to chase a rhino cow and calf. Having spent a week at the end of the previous month feeding on an adult rhino, which they probably killed themselves, these lions no doubt thought that they could do it again!