December 2007

Eyrefield males: These 5 brothers were not seen on MalaMala during this report period.

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November 2007

Two large male lions were viewed on the Marthly Marthly break at the start of the report period, and they were identified as two of the Eyrefield males.

Eyrefield Male - Photograph taken by ranger Chris Galliers

The five Eyrefield males were seen a few days later on eastern side Mlowathi, just south of Mlowathi dam. All five of them were lying down in the grass in an open area and were perfectly relaxed around the vehicles. They all appeared to be well fed and it was thought that they most likely managed to make a kill the previous evening. These male lions are local legends and it was a fantastic surprise for all the rangers to have such a quality sighting of them.

Eyrefield male - Photograph taken by ranger Bruce Hedges

Eyrefield males - Photograph taken by ranger Bruce Hedges

A couple of days later guests and rangers alike watched as a male lion moved out of the reeds in front of the deck at MalaMala Main Camp. When rangers went to investigate they found two male lions on the opposite bank across the river from the Main Camp. Upon following these two as they moved towards the Bicycle Crossing area rangers lost them. They then found three more male lions in the vicinity of the first two.

Eyrefield males - Photograph taken by ranger Nic Proust

Eyrefield males - Photograph taken by ranger Nic Proust

Then all five lions roared several times and came together in the thick reed beds. Four of the five were eventually found and moved into an open patch of sand where they took shelter from the sun for the day. In the afternoon the lions were followed up on and the five were found in the same place. The river had risen significantly during the day and three were on an island in the river with the other two in MalaMala.

As the sun set the remaining three waded across the river in a timid fashion but with grace that only a scared male lion can muster. As all five reached the northern bank three buffalo bulls strolled out the reeds in front of the lions. The buffalo hadn’t seen the lions and proceeded to wade into the water. The five males followed suit and entered the water. As the buffalo got to the far bank they got wind of the lions and charged off with the lions in pursuit. The lions gave up quickly and all then returned to the water and crossed once more into MalaMala.

Eyrefield males - Photograph taken by ranger Nic Proust

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October 2007

Five adult male lions were seen once on the 4th of October. All the males were extremely relaxed and moved south from the northern border. These five are believed to be the same five known as the Eyrefield males that where born on MalaMala and moved off when they matured. Many tracks were seen in the area after but they were not found again.

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January 2006

EYREFIELD MALES (6)

Location: MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON

The six Eyrefield Males spent most of the month of January with the Eyrefild pride and were seen regularly throughout January comprising 28 sightings in total. These members spent a fair amount of time in the area of the Mala Mala airstrip, where they were successful in catching a wildebeest on one occasion. Perhaps the sighting of the month included the six males and one of the females involved in an epic 45 minute battle with a buffalo bull in the middle of an open area in broad day light. With the strength of the young males the lions were finally victorious and enjoyed their prize over a two day period.