Three adult male lions - one perhaps 2 years older than the other two which are probably brothers

The Split Rock Males were seen many times this month and appeared to continue with their probing into the West Street Males' territory.  On one occasion, the two Split Rock Males walked all the way down to northwestern Flockfield and slept all day opposite Harry's Camp.  That evening they roared many times, issuing a clear warning to the West Street Males that they were in a combative mood.  Response from the West Street Males wasn't impressive and it may be only a matter of several weeks now before the aging West Street Males are finally deposed. 

Towards the end of the game-report period, the two Split Rock Males found the carcass of an adult female buffalo near the confluences of the Sand, Mlowathi and Manyelethi Rivers.  The buffalo had died of natural causes and the lions spent several days feeding from it.  On one occasion, when the lions were resting in nearby reeds, an old male leopard slipped in and started scavenging on the kill.  His back was turned to the two lions and when one of them came ambling across to the carcass, it saw the leopard first and very nearly caught it; luck just happened to be going the leopards' way that day and, in spite of a long and furious chase, it escaped from the lion.  Then, later on, the Marthly Pride (two lionesses and two year-old cubs) came along.  They approached cautiously but were soon greeting the Split Rock Males and all of them tucked into the rotting remains of the dead buffalo. 

The following morning the six lions were feeding on another buffalo carcass, this an adult female that had probably wandered down to the water and was pounced on by the lions.  And so the feast continued for another few days before both Marthly Pride and Split Rock Males went their separate ways.  Not only is the Marthly Pride seldom seen these days (they were almost resident up until a couple of years ago), but their relationship with the Split Rock Males was also not known.  Another lion family under the control of the Split Rock Males is the Styx Pride; these have cubs and the Split Rock Males were seen with them on one occasion.  It is thought that the Clarendon Pride, a family hardly ever encountered these days, is also dominated by the Split Rock Males.  Do these two male lions then really have it in them to take over West Street Male territory?  And, if they do, will they take over the Eyrefield Pride as well or will the Eyrefield Pride move away and the only change for the Split Rock Males and their three groups of lionesses will be a realignment of borders?

November 2003

The Split Rock Males probably had a month of somewhat mixed fortunes.  They certainly survived the month, but may have ended it feeling that they had been sort of bested by their aging neighbours and adversaries, the West Street Males.  Near the beginning of the game-report-period, the older of the Split Rock Males killed a buffalo cow and her calf on NW Mala Mala.  The buffalo had a broken leg and it was simply a matter of time before a predator dispatched of her.  The lion then dragged the carcasses into a thicket and began feasting on them.  When members of the Mlowathi Pride appeared, they were chased off, settling the question as to whether they were under the 'control' of the Split Rock Males or not.  The following day, however, there was no sign of the Split Rock Male at the carcasses and his place had been taken by one of the West Street Males.  The area in which the buffalo had been killed is probably more West Street Male territory than Split Rock Male territory and so the psychological advantage lay with the West Street Male.  No attempt to dislodge the West Street Male was seen. 

Then, a week later, the old lioness of the Styx Pride came into season, but instead of finding the Split Rock Males courting her, she attracted one of the West Street Males, sworn enemies to the Styx Pride for nearly six years now.  But, with mating being the objective, the old lionesses bodily desires won the day and the two of them stayed together, mating for perhaps as long as 48 hours in an area of central Eyrefield considered Split Rock Male turf, rather than West Street Male territory.  And it may have been that the West Street Male was finally chased off by the Split Rock Males; the following day he was seen moving steadily back south, searching for his companions, whilst the old lioness of the Styx Pride was together with one of the Split Rock Males.  But, by that time the damage was done and the 'lions share' of the mating simply must have gone to the West Street Male.  How teeth-gnashing this must have been for the Split Rock Males! 

Then, on the last day of the November game-report-period, both Split Rock Males were seen together on NW Mala Mala, back in West Street Male land, apparently renewing their offensive to gain control of West Street Male territory!  Anyway, it will be an interesting few months ahead if the Split Rock Males persist.  Although the West Street Males are still dishing out some humiliations at the expense of the Split Rock Males, time is probably on the Split Rock Males' side and eventually one expects them to triumph.

Sightings of the Split Rock Males suggest that there are only two of them left, the older one and another.  This month there were two sightings of them, both when they entered the domain of the West Street Males, their intentions clearly being to expand territory.  As far as is known, the West Street Males responded and effectively scuttled these plans, at least for now.

September 2003

No sightings of any of these males.

August 2003

There were several sightings of at least two of these male lions this month and, on one occasion, of one of them running in to steal an impala which the Styx Pride lionesses had just killed.  What was particularly fascinating about this scene was the reaction of the lionesses; instead of fleeing in terror, they scattered and then stayed in the area, clearly respectful of the lion.  Although the Split Rock Males have up until recently been regarded as enemy to the Styx Pride (having killed at least some of the Styx Prides' cubs over the last year-and-a-half - these sired by the Mlowathi Males which abandoned the Styx Pride some time ago) it is thought that they have, within the last half-year, mated with them and, now that at least one of the these females has given birth, the lionesses have little choice but to accept them as lords and masters. 

The question now, is, will the Split Rock Males, having gained control of the Styx Pride, move with them when they head southwards or will the Styx Pride stay north, within the realm of the Split Rock Males.  With the West Street Males, the lions to the south of the Split Rock Males and which always sought control over the Styx Pride now rapidly weakening, perhaps the Split Rock Males will indeed head southwards, not only to enlarge their kingdom, but to maintain effective control over the Styx Pride, lionesses which over the least few years have been notoriously nomadic.

July 2003

No sightings of any of these lions this month.

June 2003

There was a single sighting of two of the Split Rock Males this month, this when the oldest one and one of the younger ones were seen near the upper parts of the Mlowathi River on NW Eyrefield.  They seemed to be in good condition and moved north and west off the reserve.  In spite of seeing so little of the Split Rock Males over the last year or so, footprints indicate that they are active on the northern parts of the reserve more regularly than sightings suggest.

May 2003

There may have been one sighting of one of these males, this together with a lioness, perhaps from the Styx Pride.  This sighting was towards the upper parts of the Mlowathi River and the lions were mating.

April 2003

Perhaps only two of the three Split Rock Males were seen this month, mostly accompanying some of the Clarendon Pride at the scene of a dead rhino which provided an unexpected bonus for them.  And such feasts are just what these lions can do with.  Given the dry conditions experienced so far this year, the Clarendon Pride and Split Rock Males have perhaps suffered more than most prides of lions and could do with any piece of luck which comes their way.

March 2003

There was a single sighting of two of the Split Rock Males, this on the northern parts of the Mala Mala Game Reserve/ Kruger National Park boundary.  At the time they were eyeing out a herd of buffaloes.  With the very dry conditions in this area resulting in little water and grazing, the Split Rock Males and Clarendon Pride have probably had a difficult year.  Last rainy season things were very different for them; grass and water towards the northeast of the reserve was plentiful and the buffaloes were present on an almost daily basis and the lions prospered.

February 2003

The Split Rock Males were seen only once and this towards the very beginning of the February game-report-period. They were towards the northeastern parts of the reserve and were together with five lionesses from the Clarendon Pride. All lions looked in poor condition. When found, they were all fast asleep at one of the last functional waterholes in the region and appeared to have recently eaten something, enough to make their bellies bulge slightly. But the lions had no flesh on their bones, a sure sign that food is becoming difficult for them to come by. And not surprising; the area in which they stay has water only in the form of rainwater-filled waterholes and now that these have all but dried up, the prey species simply must be scarce.

January 2003

The Split Rock Males were seen once this month, this towards the northeastern corner of the reserve. They were accompanied by five lionesses of the Clarendon Pride. All lions looked very thin.

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Telephone: + 27 11 442 2267 or 0861 SAFARI.
Facsimile: + 27 11 442 2318
e-Mail: reservations@malamala.com

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