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Rollercoaster Male Lion - Photograph by ranger Dean Wraith

December 2008

(23 sightings)

The rollercoaster male again bounced between his two prides and was also seen mating with some of the Styx females at the beginning of the report period. Three of the seven females aren’t with cubs and so the male was looking to increase his linage. Cowardly or just saving his own skin the male was nowhere to be seen when the confrontation with the Eyrefield males took place even though he was with the Styx pride at the time. The male also spent a lot of time with the Eyrefield pride and was also looking to mate with all the females. The Eyrefield cubs are now approaching 18 months and so becoming independent of their mothers which mean the females will be coming back onto heat something that didn’t escape the rollercoaster male’s attention. No mating was seen though. The rollercoaster male also took the appearance of the new young male very quietly, not much aggression was witnessed but a steady eye was kept on the young male.

November 2008

( 21 sightings)

The Rollercoaster males’ luck seems to be holding up and his constant association with the Styx pride means that he has been eating very well. He was seen to partake from their zebra as well as kudu and impala kills. He rather unceremoniously appropriated a dead buffalo calf from a black backed jackal. His recent good fortunes do not mean that his peripheral threats are lessening. This month saw two large, adult male lions confidently roaring at Clarendon, well within earshot of the Rollercoaster male who was not far from there at the time. He made no attempt at ousting these two males from the edge of his territory.

October 2008

The rollercoaster male had a busy month with him being found on sixteen days in the report period. For the first half he was seen with the Styx pride for the most part, he then received a severe warning from the two Eyrefield males and scampered back to the Eyrefield pride. This male has done incredibly well thus far to control both prides and it looks as if his offspring in the Eyrefield pride will make it to maturity, sadly his time as dominant male of the Styx pride looks to be coming to an end and he did not return to the Styx pride after he got his marching orders from the younger males.

Rollercoaster Male Lion - Photograph by ranger Sean Watson

September 2008

This old chap continues to surprise all and is doing very well. He remains mostly with the Styx pride but has been seen on a number of occasions with the Eyrefield pride. He has not been seen to mate this last month, but then most of the lionesses have cubs at present. He continues to lend his strength to the hunts of larger game , but for most part remains in the rear, following the prides from a short distance and feeding on kills they make. He is still roaring his defiance at the Eyrefield males. This is presumably what is making them hesistant to move into Mala Mala, coupled with having a large section of territory to the north and west of Mala Mala.

July 2008

This old, yet powerful male was viewed a total of 17 times this month and continued to spent his time divided between the Styx and Eyrefield pride and not much time alone. He had a close call with the Eyrefield males around Stwise towards the end of the month but managed to get away unscathed. Hopefully he will be able to assert his dominance for the next few months to allow for all his new offspring to stand a chance in the up coming months.

May 2008

The Rollercoaster male continues to spend a lot of time with both the Styx Pride and Eyrefield Pride. This aging male that has dominated the northern parts of Mala Mala for quite some time now and is still looking in good condition may be starting to feel some pressure by the increased presence of the Eyrefield males in his territory.

April 2008

The Rollercoaster male is still living with the Styx pride. He is still mating with the females and is still eating with them and assisting in the kills of the larger creatures such as adult male kudus. He has not been seen to associate with the Eyrefield pride except at kills. He is in good condition for an aging male lion, still strong and still roaring his defiance at a world that would see him replaced in the not so distant future.

January 2008

This old fellow is doing remarkably well. His relationship with the Eyrefield pride seems to have been diminished so he now spends most of his time with the Styx pride. He is in a good and healthy condition although his scar count seems to increase weekly. He is still mating with the females of the Styx pride and lends his strength to some of the hunts. Importantly he is doing a good job of protecting both the Styx and Eyrefield cubs. Perhaps there is a glimmer of hope for them.

Rollercoaster Male Lion - Photograph by ranger Dean Wraith