MalaMala - The Wildlife

The Marthly Pride put in a surprise appearance this month when they arrived at a buffalo carcass attended by the two Split Rock Males on NW Mala Mala. The buffalo had died of natural causes and was being eaten by the males when the two lionesses and their cubs appeared. They approached with some trepidation, but, after greeting each other, they all tucked into the feast, obviously familiar with one another. The lions stayed in the area for several days, killing another buffalo within metres of the carcass of the first.

The Marthly Pride has been very absent for several years now, vanishing to the west approximately two-years-ago and reappearing towards the beginning of July this year when they were found on western Marthly, feeding from the carcass of a giraffe. The fact that the Split Rock Males were familiar with the Marthly Pride, and hence almost certainly the fathers of the cubs, puts more light on just how far their territory extends, this much further west than originally thought, assuming that the Marthly Pride does go west.

After this reappearance of the Marthly Pride, one wonders just how much more of them will be seen over the next few months. The old lioness of the Marthly Pride appears to be quite sickly and not surprising given the fact that she looked old when they were still active in this area two years ago. But the young lioness (now nearing six years of age) and her two cubs (thought to be a male and a female) appear to be in good condition. Hopefully they'll be seen again and once more play an active role in the lion-viewing on Mala Mala.

August - November 2003

July 2003

Two adult lionesses and two approximately 6-month-old cubs were seen on western Marthly eating a young giraffe. The two adult lionesses bore a strong resemblance to the Marthly Pride lionesses which haven't been seen for nearly year now. The lions were quite used to vehicles and spent two days devouring the carcass.

September 2002 - June 2003

MARTHLY PRIDE = 3
1 ADULT FEMALE * 9 YEARS 5 MONTHS
1 FEMALE * 5 YEARS 7 MONTHS
1 MALE * 5 YEARS 7 MONTHS

August 2002

MARTHLY PRIDE = 3
1 ADULT FEMALE * 9 YEARS 4 MONTHS
1 FEMALE * 5 YEARS 5 MONTHS
1 MALE * 5 YEARS 6 MONTHS

A sighting this month, on Marthly, of a single lioness and three perhaps one-year-old cubs may well have been of members of the Marthly Pride which have probably been kept away from areas in which they were regular visitors last year by the Styx Pride. It will be interesting to see if the Marthly Pride makes a return should the Styx Pride continue to operate in the northeastern and eastern parts of the reserve.

July 2002

1 ADULT FEMALE * 9 YEARS 3 MONTHS
1 FEMALE * 5 YEARS 4 MONTHS
1 MALE * 5 YEARS 4 MONTHS

June 2002

1 ADULT FEMALE * 9 YEARS 2 MONTHS
1 FEMALE * 5 YEARS 3 MONTHS
1 MALE * 5 YEARS 3 MONTHS

With the Styx Pride so entrenched in areas which the Marthly Pride used to range through, it would come as a surprise if this trio were to put on an appearance.

May 2002

(Not seen this month)
With the Styx Pride so entrenched in areas which the Marthly Pride used to range through, it would come as a surprise if this trio were to put on an appearance.

April 2002

March 2002

February 2002

1 ADULT FEMALE * 8 years 10 months
1 FEMALE * 4 years 11 months
1 MALE * 4 years 11 months

The lack of the Marthly Pride for the past few months has almost certainly been a result of the strong showing in the northwestern parts of the reserve of other lions.

January 2002

1 ADULT FEMALE * 8 years 9 months
1 FEMALE * 4 years 10 months
1 MALE * 4 years 10 months

December 2001

1 ADULT FEMALE * 8 years 8 months
1 FEMALE * 4 years 9 months
1 MALE * 4 years 9 months

There was but a single sighting of the Marthly Pride this month, perhaps because the Styx Pride was so active in the area for the first half of December. Footprints suggested that the Marthly Pride had entered the area via a roundabout route which would perhaps have minimised contact with the Styx Pride.

November 2001

1 ADULT FEMALE * 8 years 7 months
1 FEMALE * 4 years 8 months
1 MALE * 4 years 8 months

Location: SW MARTHLY/ NW MALA MALA

There were only two sightings of the Marthly Pride this month, but both were most dramatic. This trio launched one of their expected 'raids' into the area usually controlled by the Styx Pride and killed at least two buffaloe's in three days. The first buffalo was a youngster and the lions had walked purposefully towards the area where the herd had been grazing. When the Marthly Pride were found that day, they were still several kilometres from the buffalo and separated by a hill, so whether they were aware that the buffalo were in the area is not known. Nevertheless, when they were less than a kilometre from the buffaloes, they all stopped, sniffed the air, listened intently and then immediately changed course so that they were going directly towards their quarry. As they were closing in on the herd of 100 or so buffalo, they broke into a run and did not falter until they were almost amongst the herd. The bush was thick and this almost certainly aided the lions which went charging in with scarcely any warning. The buffalo panicked and stampeded away from the lions and in the confusion, the young male of the pride caught and killed a buffalo calf. In the confusion of the thick bush and stampeding buffalo, the lionesses had been separated from the male and in typically mercenary lion fashion, he dragged the carcass away from them and made no attempt to call them towards him. But they must have realised that he had caught something and after ten minutes found him and the kill and all lions tucked in. As is expected of these lions when they have been feeding outside their own territory, the interaction between the lions was quite silent. Each lion was certainly trying to exclude the others as is typical, but without the growling and snarling so usual for this type of feeding. They were no doubt aware that other lions could well have been in the area and there was the need to minimise sounds which might attract them. As it was, fresh footprints suggested that one of the West Street Males was in the general area. Two days later the Marthly Pride were found on another dead buffalo, this one twice as big as the first kill. But thereafter they vanished, almost certainly back towards their usual haunts. With the Styx Pride seemingly making their way back towards the parts often 'raided' by the Marthly Pride, it could be expected that there will be fewer sightings of this trio of lions.

October 2001

1 ADULT FEMALE * 8 years 6 months
1 FEMALE * 4 years 7 months
1 MALE * 4 years 7 months

There were two sightings of the Marthly Pride this month, one far to the north of where even they have been known to 'raid'. But perhaps this was not surprising since the area was full of animals on the fresh growth of this recently burned section. Also, with the Styx Pride basically out of the area due to the presence of the West Street Males, there would be little fear of opposition. On both occasions when these lions were found they were followed whilst hunting, but in spite of making several attempts at prey species, failed to catch anything.

Nevertheless, their body condition remains good and it is quite clear that they are getting plenty to eat. One of the enigmatic things about this pride is their lack of cubs or even attention from adult male lions. Now that the West Street Males have started to make inroads into this area, and this has taken them at least temporarily away from the lionesses of the Eyrefield Pride, perhaps some interest will be shown in them. Any adult male lions would also surely encourage the young male of the Marthly Pride to head off, something which the females would perhaps not be sad to see - on most occasions when this family is found, his body condition suggests that he manages to get most of the whatever kills are made.

September 2001

1 ADULT FEMALE * 8 years 5 months
1 FEMALE * 4 years 6 months
1 MALE * 4 years 6 months

These three lions were seen only once during September and this on the fringe of their territory with the Styx Pride. It has often been said that when the Styx Pride has neglected their territory, the Marthly Pride become more visible and 'raid' this area with greater frequency and on longer 'expeditions'. September saw a very active Styx Pride and this either kept the Marthly Pride away and/ or more secretive when 'raiding'.

August 2001

1 ADULT FEMALE * 8 years 4 months
1 FEMALE * 4 years 5 months
1 MALE * 4 years 5 months

The Marthly Pride was encountered only once during August, although tracks did indicate that they were probably on the reserve more often than this. The young male of the pride is now large and his mane of hair is developing rapidly. However, if his fat belly was anything to go by, he is no doubt getting the 'lions share' of whatever kills the others make and at the same time probably contributing little to the hunt. When they were found this month, they were seen to circle some impala but when it came in to the final rush in, they missed.

July 2001

1 ADULT FEMALE * 8 years 3 months
1 FEMALE * 4 years 4 months
1 MALE * 4 years 4 months

June 2001

1 ADULT FEMALE * 8 years 2 months
1 FEMALE * 4 years 3 months
1 MALE * 4 years 3 months

Location: S MARTHLY/ SW EYREFIELD/ W MALA MALA/ NORTHERN FLOCKFIELD

As to be expected, the Marthly Pride spent at least some time outside the areas which they control, plundering them in the absence of their true 'owners'. For the Marthly Pride - and others for that matter - the areas around the Matshapiri River must be most tempting as the Styx Pride stay north looking after their cubs. But they are still hesitant and when in these areas certainly act with noted apprehension. This was seen during June when some members of the Eyrefield Pride stole an impala kill from some cheetahs on NW Mala Mala, an area probably historically Styx Pride domain. Tracks the following morning suggested that the Marthly Pride was not far off and although the young male did run in and used his size to chase off the Eyrefield Pride lionesses (they must also have felt guilty about being in the area or else they would have put up more of a fight), the two lionesses of the Marthly Pride stayed well clear. This reluctance to get involved is classic signs of insecurity and to be expected of lions outside their territory. Later in the month when the two lionesses of the Marthly Pride were seen in the area of the Manyelethi River, thought to be the core of their territory, one of them was sporting some nasty looking wounds on her lower back, evidently sustained in a fight with other lions. Perhaps this will to at least some degree put their raiding plans on hold.

May 2001

1 ADULT FEMALE * 8 years 1 month
1 FEMALE * 4 years 2 months
1 MALE * 4 years 2 months

There were only three sightings of the Marthly Pride over this game-report period and again it is certain that their presence on the central and western parts of the reserve is a consequence of the lack of activity in these areas from the prides usually resident here, particularly the Styx Pride.

April 2001

The two sightings of the Marthly Pride this month were towards the end of April when the two lionesses, accompanied by the young male lion which is still attached to this pride, 'raided' parts of the reserve usually patrolled by the Styx and Eyrefield Prides. A relative absence of the lions of these respective prides from this area has probably given them a good reason to enter. It is believed that the lions of the Marthly Pride spend most of their time to the north and west of Mala Mala, but, upon occasion, leave it for a week or so to prey upon the resources of neighbouring lion families. The behaviour of lions under such circumstances when they are not on home turf conveys a sense of secrecy - as if they know that they are in the wrong and try to be as silent and cautious as possible. However, their basic instincts are still there and this was seen when they saw and chased a leopard (one of the sons of the Paradise Valley Female) into the top branches of a Marula tree. These big cats are noted enemies, each competing for the same food source and one will not hesitate to get the better of the other. In this as in most instances, the agility of the leopard and a convenient tree prevented the lions from catching him.

March 2001

There were no sightings of the Marthly Pride this month, perhaps because the Styx Pride spent so much time in the central and northern parts of Mala Mala.

February 2001

There were two confirmed sightings of the two lionesses of the Marthly Pride, these being towards the northern parts of the reserve where the Sand River goes through its first 'bend'. Two encounters with lions fitting the description of the Marthly Pride much further south on Mala Mala were almost certainly of this family, circumstances unfortunately prevented positive identification. Based on previous behaviour, it is quite likely that these encounters occurred during one of the Marthly Prides periodic 'southern raids' - like many prides of lions, from time to time they seem to deliberately leave their own area to hunt in the territories of other lions, not staying long, but plundering these areas if permitted. They were seen killing an impala further north just prior to this and soon after were observed moving back to their more usual haunts. At this last sighting they were seen pursuing a mixed group of Waterbuck and Kudu down a steep bank of the Manyelethi River. For some or other reason they did not quite manage to catch anything, this in spite of the area being a close-to-ideal killing ground. With all sightings, the two lionesses were accompanied by the approximately 4-year-old male thought to be the brother of the youngest female. Unlike last month, there were no sightings of the large black-maned male of the Marthly Pride.

January 2001

"MARTHLY PRIDE" = 5
2 ADULT FEMALES
3 CUBS (1 female, 2 males) * 3 years 5 months

There were several sightings of the Marthly Pride this month. At each encounter there was at least the two lionesses and the young male. On two of these sightings this trio had been joined by the adult male which was part of the pride for so many years and probably the brother of the oldest female. For several days these lions worked the central areas of the reserve, but with the nights at the time cloudless and with the moon full, were not seen to kill anything, until one morning when they were found eating an adult male bushbuck along the banks of the Matshapiri River. The two lionesses and the young male also made a brief excursion far south, a typical 'raid' deep into the territory of some other pride, prepared to kill what they could, but not willing to stand and fight if confronted by other lions in the area.

December 2000

"MARTHLY PRIDE" = 5
2 ADULT FEMALES
3 CUBS (1 female, 2 males) * 3 years 5 months

These lions were seen only twice this month, together with a male thought to be the brother of the young female. One of the sightings saw them together with an adult male, probably one of the Mlowathi Males. The two lionesses of this pride probably spend most of their time to the north and west of Mala Mala, but, as with other lions, will occasionally 'raid' other areas; land not well known to them but holding animals which they will hunt. When conducting these 'raids', these lions usually try not to advertise their presence, preferring to kill and eat with the minimum of fuss and will run when they encounter other lions in such areas. The lionesses of the Styx Pride usually patrol the parts of the reserve where these lions were found this month.

November 2000

"MARTHLY PRIDE" = 5
2 ADULT FEMALES
3 CUBS (1 female, 2 males) * 3 years 4 months

October 2000

"MARTHLY PRIDE" = 5
2 ADULT FEMALES
3 CUBS (1 female, 2 males) * 3 years 3 months

Two lionesses and a young male lion, almost certainly from the Marthly Pride, were seen on several occasions this month. They spent a week or so hunting the burned areas of central Mala Mala where they were seen to kill at least one impala. This part of the reserve has usually been regarded as prime Styx Pride territory, but these lions were away at the time busy raiding some other lions' territory or on the periphery of their own. Anyway, the Styx Pride was not at home and the lions of the Marthly Pride took advantage of the situation. Later in the month they were found eating an adult male waterbuck in the lower reaches of the Manyelethi River, an area considered more typically 'theirs'. The young male lion found the two lionesses was probably the brother of the youngest and may have only temporarily rejoined, this after it was thought that he had moved off with the older male lion, thought to have been the brother of the oldest female, some months ago. This latter pair - dark-maned adult male and sub adult male of the Marthly Pride - has not been seen for some time now. With the imminent demise of the West Street Males, it is not known if the Mlowathi Males do or will dominate the territory in which the Marthly pride typically resides.

September 2000

"MARTHLY PRIDE" = 5
2 ADULT FEMALES
3 CUBS (1 female, 2 males) * 3 years 2 months

August 2000

"MARTHLY PRIDE" = 5
2 ADULT FEMALES
3 CUBS (1 female, 2 males) * 3 years 1 months

The composition of this pride resembles that of the Marthly Pride. However, little is known of them and they have not been named. There were no confirmed or even probable sightings of the lions of this pride this month.

There was one sighting on southern Marthly of two lionesses, one obviously younger that they other, which were identified as the Marthly Pride. These two were found not far from where the Eyrefield Pride was busy finishing off a baby giraffe kill. Obviously quite aware of what was happening only a kilometre of so away from them, the two lionesses moved in the direction of the Eyrefield Pride. However, when they were only a few hundred meters from the area, they stopped, cautiously sniffing the air. This is how they were left and it was never seen if they ventured closer. However, it is quite likely that they were aware of just how many lions were ahead of them and they would have been wise not to continue with their investigation.

July 2000

The last sighting of the 'proper' Marthly Pride gave the following composition:
MARTHLY PRIDE = 5
1 ADULT FEMALE * 7 years 3 months
1 ADULT MALE * years 3 months
1 FEMALE CUB * 3 years 4 months
2 MALE CUBS * 3 years 4 months

June 2000

"MARTHLY PRIDE" = 5
2 ADULT FEMALES
3 CUBS (1 female, 2 males) * 2 years 11 months

. The 'proper' Marthly Pride now comprises the following:
MARTHLY PRIDE = 5
1 ADULT FEMALE * 7 years 2 months
1 ADULT MALE * years 2 months
1 FEMALE CUB * 3 years 3 months
2 MALE CUBS * 3 years 3 months

May 2000

"MARTHLY PRIDE" = 5
2 ADULT FEMALES
3 CUBS (1 female, 2 males) * 2 years 10 months

No confirmed sightings during May of this pride, which has yet to be named, but in composition can be confused with the 'proper' Marthly Pride.

The 'proper' Marthly Pride now comprises the following:
MARTHLY PRIDE = 5
1 ADULT FEMALE * 7 years 1 month
1 ADULT MALE * years 1 month
1 FEMALE CUB * 3 years 2 months
2 MALE CUBS * 3 years 2 months

February / March / April 2000

"MARTHLY PRIDE" = 5
2 ADULT FEMALES
3 CUBS (1 female, 2 males) * 2 years 9 months

The 'proper' Marthly Pride now comprises the following:
MARTHLY PRIDE = 5
1 ADULT FEMALE * 7 years
1 ADULT MALE * 7 years
1 FEMALE CUB * 3 years 1 month
2 MALE CUBS * 3 years 1 month

- no confirmed sightings this month No confirmed sightings for the last three months.

January 2000

"MARTHLY PRIDE" = 5
2 ADULT FEMALES
3 CUBS (1 female, 2 males) * 2 years 6 months

These lions were seen only twice this month, both times in close proximity to the Mala Mala Main Camp. On both occasions they proceeded to walk through the boom-gates outside the Main Camp, inspect them closely, and then proceed into the thick bush west of this. Little is known of this pride but they certainly appear healthy.

The 'proper' Marthly Pride now comprises the following:
MARTHLY PRIDE = 5
1 ADULT FEMALE * 6 years 9 months
1 ADULT MALE * 6 years 9 months
1 FEMALE CUB * 2 years 10 months
2 MALE CUBS * 2 years 10 months

No confirmed sightings this month The adult male of the Marthly Pride is potentially the same black-maned lion which has been asserting himself in the north-western areas of the reserve, this together with another blonde-maned male which, unfortunately for the male from the Marthly Pride, is by far the more dominant of the pair. The lion assumed to be from the Marthly Pride spent much of January with some of the lionesses of the Styx Pride. He was later joined by a young male which may well have been one of the young males of the Marthly Pride. The latter two certainly appeared friendlier with each other than they were with any of the other young males (probably Styx Pride Males) which were also with them at some of the sightings.

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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August - November 2003