STYX PRIDE = 13
1 FEMALE                                                                 * 14 YEARS 6 MONTHS
3 FEMALES    these 3 lionesses aged between   * 8 YEARS 2 MONTHS & 8 YEARS & 8 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE                                          * 32 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE                                          * 22 MONTHS
3 CUBS                                                                       * 4 MONTHS
4 CUBS                                                                       * 2 MONTHS

Location: CENTRAL-NORTH & SOUTHERN EYREFIELD

There were good sightings of the Styx Pride in December and they seemed to spend perhaps more time on Mala Mala than has been the case in many preceding months.

Towards months beginning, the pride was clearly divided, with the two adult lionesses with cubs staying separate from the old lioness and the mother of the 22-month-old female.  This group of four lions hunted together, spending a fair amount of time, up until the middle of December, on western Mala Mala, an area of land which for quite some time was Styx Pride terrain but up until recently has been more under the influence of their old enemies, the West Street Males and Eyrefield Pride.  Now, with the Split Rock Males, 'their' masters, pressing ever more regularly into this area and with the West Street Males seemingly on the decline, perhaps this has been an added incentive to get back in. In any event, the mother of the nearly-two-year-old lioness appeared about to give birth and by the middle of December, the group headed back north again, perhaps so that she could have her babies either near the northern parts of Mala Mala or just beyond this.

Then, in the last week of the December game-report-period, five of the Styx Pride members, three adults and the two sub adults, were seen killing a buffalo in central Eyrefield.  Once the buffalo was dead, the mother of the three four-month-olds headed off to fetch her cubs, moving south and east.  The next morning, these youngsters were at the scene and all 8 lions feasted.  There was still no sign of the sixth adult lioness and it was assumed that this was the mother of the 22-month-old which would have almost certainly been in close proximity to her probably only week-old cubs, wherever they might have been.

On the third day of the buffalo feast, there were only two adult lionesses present until after dark when the one which had gone away returned, bringing with her four small cubs, these the ones thought to have been born at the beginning of November.  Cubs of this age wouldn't eat meat and so perhaps the mother was thinking of placing them in some other location and taking this opportunity to move them. The next day the lions were all on a granite koppie (the Tlebe Rocks) a kilometre to the east of where the buffalo had been killed and this probably where the three 4-month-olds had been stashed prior to the kill.  It's still not certain whether the sixth lioness, the mother of the 22-month-old which is thought to have given birth in the middle of December, was with these or not. And this is where they stayed for the next four days, the lionesses heading out hunting from here, leaving the cubs behind.

But the months end was uncertain; the last sighting was of the cubs alone on the rocks, with one of the old West Street Males, out of his territory and apparently in the area after following buffaloes, ambling their way.   If he had found them, he would have done his best to kill them and with the lionesses absent, it could have been an easy task.

November 2003

STYX PRIDE = 9
1 FEMALE                                                                 * 14 YEARS 5 MONTHS
3 FEMALES   these 3 lionesses aged between   * 8 YEARS  1 MONTH & 8 YEARS & 7 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE                                         * 31 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB                                                        * 21 MONTHS
3 CUBS                                                                       * 3 MONTHS

Location: CENTRAL-NORTH & SOUTHERN EYREFIELD

The Styx Pride provided some good viewing this month when they were first seen towards the very northern parts of the reserve with their three 3-month-old cubs.  All lions had gathered near a convoluted series of gullies, close to where it is believed that they had been keeping these cubs after moving them from the Ostrich Koppies last month.But the exciting news beyond this is that one of the other younger lionesses probably gave birth at around this time in this gully system.  These cubs haven't been seen and probably won't be seen for some time.

And, whilst all of this was happening, the old Styx Pride lioness came into season and went looking for a male lion.  As circumstances would have it, the Split Rock Males weren't around and the first lion to respond to her demands was one of her old adversaries, a West Street Male.  Ever since they first appeared on the scene perhaps six years ago, the West Street Males have tried to dominate the Styx Pride, but have failed.  But now, with her bodies chemical messengers overriding everything else, this animosity fell by the wayside and the two mated for perhaps 48 hours before he departed and she drew the attention of one of the Split Rock Males.

So, with three-month-old cubs, month-old cubs and unborn cubs with the third young lioness (the mother of the 21-month-old lioness appears to be pregnant) and now perhaps with the old lioness pregnant too, the Styx Pride seems set to enter a couple of years of intense baby-raising. The only thing which is not so good about the above arrangement is that, should the cubs appear in the sequence suggested, the age differences will be quite noticeable and some intense and perhaps one-sided competition could be expected amongst the youngsters with the older, larger cubs always dominating.  Nevertheless, after years of running and avoiding male lions such as the West Street Males and Split Rock Males, the Styx Pride could very well have at least a short period of stability ahead of them.

Towards the middle of November, two of the Styx Pride lionesses, the one with the three older cubs and the other the one which has just given birth, were seen moving slowly down the Matshapiri River, accompanied by the three three-month-olds.  Their progress was hesitant and initially the lions' objective wasn't clear.  The mother of the three cubs was quite well fed, but her sister was lean.  The following day, however, the lions were discovered a few kilometres further downstream, feeding from the carcass of a zebra.  For the three-month-old cubs, this may very well have been their first meal of meat and their mother, which had most likely been on the hunt, had then returned to fetch her youngsters from whatever hiding place they had been secreted, and had collected her sister at the same time which was probably in this area of concealment, nursing her less-than-two-week-olds.

October 2003

STYX PRIDE = 9
1 FEMALE                                                                 * 14 YEARS 4 MONTHS
3 FEMALES  these 3 lionesses aged between    * 8 YEARS  & 8 YEARS & 6 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE                                        * 30 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB                                                       * 20 MONTHS
3 CUBS                                                                      * 2 MONTHS

Location: CENTRAL-SOUTH & NORTHERN EYREFIELD

At the beginning of the month, the mother of the three two-month-old Styx Pride cubs moved them, probably taking the cubs north from the Ostrich Koppies where they had been kept for perhaps one-and-a-half-months.  With increased 'foreign' male lion activity in this area, notably West Street Males, it's quite surprising that this move didn't come sooner. At this stage there has been no sign that another lioness has given birth, this suggested from sightings last month.

The last encounter with the Styx Pride was halfway through October, when three of them were seen heading south and east from Mala Mala's northern border, towards a steep-sided and ruggedly wooded gully system.  Five lionesses emerged on the other side, at least one of them lactating.  Indications then are that this is where they have hidden whatever cubs there are.

But what is the future for these lions?  The Split Rock Males (almost certainly the fathers of these cubs) made at least two serious incursions into West Street Male territory this month, but were beaten off on both occasions.  Nevertheless, the West Street Males are declining and will continue to be tested.  If the Split Rock Males ultimately succeed in taking over from them, at least even just the northern parts of their existing territory, this will be good for the security of the Styx Pride and perhaps encourage them to use the southern limits of their range more frequently.

September 2003

STYX PRIDE = 6
1 FEMALE                                                               * 14 YEARS 3 MONTHS
3 FEMALES  these 3 lionesses aged between  * 7 YEARS 11 MONTHS & 8 YEARS & 5 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE                                      * 29 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB                                                     * 19 MONTHS
CUBS                                                                       * 1 MONTH

Location: CENTRAL-SOUTH EYREFIELD/ NORTH-EASTERN MALA MALA

Until the end of the month, the only members of the Styx Pride seen were the lactating female and her just-over-one-month-old cubs, the latter visible only at a distance and hidden by rocks and scrub atop the main hill of the Ostrich Koppies.  It was almost as if the other members of the pride were deliberately keeping away from the area, perhaps so that they would not draw attention to it.  With the West Street Males, their old enemies, roaming nearby, secrecy would of course be of major importance.

Then, towards the end of the report-period, the other five lionesses made an appearance and stayed in the general area for a couple of days.  One of these lionesses looked as if she was pregnant and was seen investigating nooks and crannies on a nearby granite koppie, almost as if she was searching for a den-site.

Perhaps the most entertaining viewing involving the Styx Pride was an incident when the lactating lioness, a male leopard and some hyaenas tussled over the remains of a kudu carcass along the mid-upper parts of the Matshapiri River.  It may have been the leopard which killed the kudu, but the lioness certainly took most of it, keeping the leopard up trees in the area and chasing off hyaenas which ventured too close.  But, in the end, she simply had to get back to her cubs and finally abandoned things to the leopard which managed to then take what was left into a tree, secure from hyaenas.

August 2003

STYX PRIDE = 6
1 FEMALE                                                                * 14 YEARS 2 MONTHS
3 FEMALES   these 3 lionesses aged between   * 7 YEARS 10 MONTHS & 8 YEARS & 4 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB                                                       * 28 MONTHS
1 CUB                                                                         * 18 MONTHS

Location: EYREFIELD/ CENTRAL MALA MALA

August turned out to be a momentous month for the Styx Pride as it appeared to coincide with what might turn out to be a period of stability in their lives, this after being abandoned by the Mlowathi Male lions nearly two years ago, an event which forced them to duck and dive from other male lions which sought to kill their cubs which the Mlowathi Males had fathered.  Several months ago, indications were that at least some of the Styx Pride lionesses had been mating and speculation at the time was that they had sought out the Split Rock Males.  Once such a 'partnership' had been established, the Styx Pride could rely upon protection from these male lions, a complete change of relationship compared to what has gone before.  Last April, for instance, the old lioness of the Styx Pride lost her two six-month-old cubs when they clashed with the Clarendon Pride and Split Rock Males.

Viewing of the Styx Pride this month started with the lionesses killing an impala on NW Eyrefield and then having their prey stolen from them by one of the Split Rock Males which seemed to appear from absolutely nowhere.  But, rather than flee in terror, the lionesses seemed to accept what had happened and treated the male lion with a degree of respect, indicating that they had come to some sort of 'agreement' with him.

Later on in the month, the lionesses were seen alone, always towards the northern parts of the reserve. Then, towards the end of the August-report-period, the crew of the helicopter conducting the annual game-count of this conservation area, reported seeing a lioness with four newborn cubs atop a granite hill on central Eyrefield.  The lioness, it turned out, was one of the Styx Pride lionesses.  Although none of the other members of the pride were seen with her or even close by, footprints indicated that they and male lions, almost certainly the Split Rock Males, had definitely been around to investigate.  Secrecy with such young cubs is paramount in a lioness's life and it can be expected that it will be some time before the cubs are brought out into the open.  Also, not wanting to be too active in and around the immediate area where these cubs are being kept, it will come as no great surprise if the other members of the Styx Pride stay away, at least for the next few weeks.But perhaps at least two other lionesses of the pride are also expecting cubs; the last occasion when it was suspected that any of these lionesses were mating was towards the beginning of June when two of them separated away from the others, presumably to mate.  Should this have been the case and should the mating have been successful, then other cubs could be expected sometime in September or early October.

July 2003

Location: WESTERN & SOUTHERN EYREFIELD/ CENTRAL MALA MALA/ EASTERN FLOCKFIELD

The Styx Pride wandered far and wide this month and was probably active on Mala Mala more frequently than the four sightings suggested.  One thing for sure, though, they remain in superb condition and were evidently eating more than enough food.

When seen for the first time this month, their bellies were as distended as could be and near them were the remains of what appeared to be an adult kudu as well as a young zebra.  A few days later and many kilometres away, a similar scene was found with the six lionesses lying close to the scraps of a freshly killed kudu.

Not only are these lions experienced and proficient hunters, but also, in having no males around them, probably eat most of what they kill.

While it is quite certain that at least two and maybe a third member of the Styx Pride sought out male lions during early June for mating purposes, it is still too early to tell whether any of them are pregnant or not.

June 2003

Location: SOUTHERN EYREFIELD/ EASTERN MALA MALA/ EASTERN FLOCKFIELD

There were no sightings of all six members of the Styx Pride together and they wandered far and wide over the northern and eastern parts of the reserve.  At the end of last month, there was a sighting of a single lioness mating with an unidentified male lion; evidence suggested that the lioness was one of the Styx Pride lionesses and that the male was perhaps from the Split Rock Males coalition.

Although there were ultimately few sightings of the Styx Pride during June, indications are that two of the younger lionesses split away from the other four members and the supposition is that they too came into season and sought out male lions.

Towards the end of the June game-report period, the old lioness, one of the younger ones as well as the two sub adults, were found on the Charleston/ Flockfield boundary, this in the central-south of the reserve, whilst the other two were located many kilometres further north, towards the upper reaches of the Matshapiri River on NE Eyrefield.  All lions looked to be in good condition.

But, the question now is, have some of the lionesses mated and, if so, with what males and will these males care for them and whatever cubs are born as is expected of male lions?  And if the male lions are the Split Rock Males, will the Styx Pride be spending more time to the north of the reserve than has so-far been the case, or will the Split Rock Males move south so that their reach can extend to the southern territories traditional to the Styx Pride?

May 2003

STYX PRIDE = 6
1 FEMALE                                                                 * 13 YEARS 11 MONTHS
3 FEMALES    these 3 lionesses aged between   * 7 YEARS 7 MONTHS & 8 YEARS & 1 MONTH
1 FEMALE CUB                                                        * 25 MONTHS
1 CUB                                                                          * 15 MONTHS

Location: WESTERN & NORTHERN EYREFIELD

There were few sightings of the Styx Pride this month and all of them in the northern parts of the reserve.  Towards the beginning of the month all six lions were together and seemingly in good health; one of the lionesses was limping slightly, but otherwise all looked fine.  Then, just before the middle of the month, two of the lionesses, each accompanying one of the younger lions, were found a kilometre or two apart and there was no sign of the other two lionesses.  The lioness with the youngest cub was atop a large granite koppie and nearby were two young male lions.  Although it is quite certain that the lioness and cub were seeking safety from these lions, there was no indication that the males were aware of the lioness and youngster.  This was the last sighting of any members of the Styx Pride during the May report-period.

However, towards the end of the month, a mating pair of lions was seen briefly towards the north of the reserve and it is thought that the lioness may have been from the Styx Pride.  The male lion may have been one of the Split Rock Males.  The prospects of lionesses of the Styx Pride coming into season and seeking out male lions has been looming for some time and this may well have been the start of things.  Now, was the absence of the two lionesses in the earlier sighting also because they were away mating or were there other reasons?  Perhaps the young male lions were in the area because they had responded to the calls of the lionesses but had lost out to other mature males?  Time will hopefully tell as to exactly what has happened, but it may very well be that, over the course of May, three of the lionesses of the Styx Pride could have been mating.

But, the question now is, what will happen to the pride if the males courting them control territory away from the areas controlled by the Styx Pride?  Of late, the Styx Pride seems to be spending less and less time on the reserve and other lions, the Mlowathi Pride in particular, and, this month, the Eyrefield Pride, appear to be making inroads into what was once almost 'pure Styx Pride' turf.

So, perhaps the Styx Pride is slowly becoming under the protection of male lions, this a simple response to their reproductive needs, and the result will be the movement northwards and away from the reserve.  The alternative, however, is that the Styx Pride will continue their almost nomadic existence and still roam areas they feel are theirs and this may bring whatever male lions are courting them into these areas too.  With the West Street Males clearly on the decline, this option may not be impossible.

April 2003

STYX PRIDE = 6
1 FEMALE                                                               * 13 YEARS 10 MONTHS
3 FEMALES  these 3 lionesses aged between   * 7 YEARS 6 MONTHS & 8 YEARS
1 FEMALE CUB                                                      * 24 MONTHS
1 CUB                                                                        * 14 MONTHS

Location: WESTERN & NORTHERN EYREFIELD

The Styx Pride remained scarce this month and spent their time towards the north of the reserve and beyond.  All appeared to be in good condition.

One of the sightings of the Styx Pride was of them on the western-most Campbell Koppie, a granite hill which has always been central in the life of the Styx Pride, being a place of rest on hot days or shelter for cubs during times of vulnerability.  One wonders just how long it will be before the lionesses come into season again and seek out males for mating.

March 2003

STYX PRIDE = 6
1 FEMALE   * 13 YEARS 9 MONTHS
3 FEMALES  these 3 lionesses aged between  * 7 YEARS 5 MONTHS & 7 YEARS 11 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB  * 23 MONTHS
1 CUB * 13 MONTHS

Location: WESTERN EYREFIELD/ CENTRAL FLOCKFIELD/ CENTRAL & NE CHARLESTON

The Styx Pride spent the first week or so of March towards the very southern parts of the reserve, to the north of the Sand River.  This comes after seeing them at the end of February show strong designs on defending land in the north of Mala Mala.  Goodness knows why they decided to head so far south.  But for whatever reason it was, they did, and seemed to succeed if food was the criterion for success.  At one sighting they were seen first chasing after waterbuck (which they failed to catch) and then after a warthog which they did catch. Then, perhaps thinking that they were outstaying their welcome in this part of the reserve (which is usually under the control of other lions), the Styx Pride made their way north again, moving rapidly through the central sections of Mala Mala.

The Styx Pride were seen only a few times after this during March and all towards the northern parts of the property. In spite of their great wanderings (or perhaps even because of them), the 6 members of the Styx Pride seem to be doing well and appear to be in fine condition.

February 2003

STYX PRIDE = 6
1 FEMALE * 13 YEARS 8 MONTHS
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 7 YEARS 4 MONTHS & 7 YEARS 10 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 22 MONTHS
1 CUB * 12 MONTHS

Location: WESTERN EYREFIELD/ EASTERN MALA MALA-FLOCKFIELD BOUNDARY

Apart from a single foray to the central-eastern parts of the reserve where they killed a young giraffe, the Styx Pride spent the month closer to the upper reaches of the Mlowathi River. They really do seem to be in the best of condition, close to bordering on fat.

Halfway through February, two lionesses of the Styx Pride were found alone at the site of an adult male giraffe carcass. The giraffe appeared to have died of natural causes and the two lionesses, the oldest female and one of the others, must have discovered it. But the two lions appeared ill at ease and took a while to settle down once they had been found at the site. There was no sign of other members of the pride and later on, after gorging themselves on the rotting carcass, the pair of lionesses headed to a local waterhole for a drink, after which they moved off, calling loudly once or twice. They were not seen to return to the giraffe carcass.

At the last encounter with the Styx Pride this month, all six were found together, close to the northern parts of the Mlowathi River. They were very well fed and appeared most content. That night, however, in response (it seemed) to other lions calling to the north of their position, the Styx Pride set about roaring and scent-marking and were last seen moving towards the area from which the other lions had been heard calling.

This defensive attitude from the Styx Pride is rather unusual given their relatively secretive behaviour over the last year-and-a-half or so when they seem to have done everything possible to avoid contact with other lions and have become almost nomadic in order to achieve this. Is this perhaps a sign that they are looking for male lions again with which they can mate? If so, and male lions can be enticed into staying around and protecting them and whatever cubs are eventually produced, maybe a new phase of stability in the lives of the Styx Pride will result.

January 2003

STYX PRIDE = 6

1 FEMALE * 13 YEARS 7 MONTHS
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 7 YEARS 3 MONTHS & 7 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 21 MONTHS
1 CUB * 11 MONTHS

Location: CENTRAL & WESTERN EYREFIELD

There is still no sign of the 20-month-old Styx Pride cub which vanished last month and January saw the remainder of the family simply carry on with life. Although evidence suggested that the Styx Pride had spent at least some time in the central-eastern parts of Mala Mala, all sightings this month were towards the northern parts of the reserve. The lions appeared to be in top condition, almost bordering on being fat. Although the Styx Pride does not have male lions to protect them, and over the last nearly year-and-a-half have had to duck and dive to stay away from foreign males, they have also had no male lions stealing their kills or hampering their hunting efforts and this may well have allowed them just that little bit more food.

The Styx Pride was found on yet another baby giraffe kill this month, probably the fourth which they have been seen eating over the last 9 months or so. Soon after they had eaten this young giraffe, they were seen setting up a classic ambush-style hunt and catching a young impala, perhaps a poor reward for what seemed such a well organised effort. The 21-month-old youngster of the pride took this kill and refused to share it with the others.

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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