STYX PRIDE
December 2004
STYX PRIDE = 8
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 9 YEARS 2 MONTHS & 9
YEARS 8 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 44 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 34 MONTHS
2 CUBS * 16 MONTHS
1 CUB * 14 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MALA MALA
This was another very good month for the Styx Pride, in terms of frequency
and quality of sightings. During the course of the month, one of the
females (the 44-month old lioness) was seen to leave the pride, or be
absent from the pride, at times, and to rejoin them in the evening.
For two or three consecutive days she was seen in the vicinity of Campbell
Koppies, and it transpired that she was lactating! She had not been
very noticeably pregnant, and it appears that she does not have a large
amount of milk, so it is quite likely that this litter of cubs (her
first) is a small one, perhaps comprising only one or two cubs. The
other members of the pride seem to understand the situation, and are,
whether intentionally or not, spending a fair amount of time quite close
to Campbell Koppies, as they hunt in the vicinity of the Mlowathi River
and Picadilly.
The lioness with the injured leg is also spending most of her time with the rest of the pride. The injury seems to fluctuate in terms of just how disabling it is to her. Sometimes she puts no weight on her sore leg, but at other times she walks and runs almost normally.
Although at times quite lean, the lions of the Styx Pride seem to be in good shape overall, and the three surviving cubs born near the end of 2003 are prospering. For most of the month, when the Styx Pride was encountered, there were no male lions with them. On a couple of occasions, they were accompanied by one of the Split Rock Males (the older one), but never by both. The lionesses of the pride were seen to hunt on numerous occasions, but the only kills which they were seen to make were young impala, which, of course, would be devoured within minutes. They did also kill a sub-adult warthog, but most of this carcass was eaten by the male lion that was with them that morning.
A look at the map shows that the Styx Pride even spent a little time on the western bank of the Sand River, in the vicinity of the Old Airstrip. In recent years, one would have been more likely to encounter Eyrefield Pride members in this area.
November 2004
STYX PRIDE = 8
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between
* 9 YEARS 1 MONTH & 9 YEARS 7 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE
* 43 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE
* 33 MONTHS
2 CUBS
* 15 MONTHS
1 CUB
*
13 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MALA MALA
During November, the Styx Pride spent most of their time within the
Mala Mala Game Reserve, and provided some fine viewing. With the Eyrefield
Pride not spending much time in the northern half of the reserve, the
Styx Pride even ventured onto the western bank of the Sand River, south
of the camp, on a couple of occasions. At times the pride was somewhat
fragmented, but towards the end of the month, most sightings were of
all eight pride members together.
The fact that the Eyrefield Pride spent very little time in the northern half of the reserve this month, probably gave the Styx Pride a good reason to spend time south of the camp, even on the western bank of the Sand River, an area more commonly occupied by the Eyrefield Pride over the last couple of years.
On one stormy night, two of the Styx Pride females, one of them only a sub-adult, managed to kill an adult female giraffe on the eastern bank of the Matshapiri, upstream of Buffalo Bush Dam. This kill was not witnessed, but tracks indicated quite clearly that the lions had chased the giraffe through the Matshapiri and into a tributary gully on its eastern bank. It was quite an achievement for just two lionesses to kill such a large giraffe, but the Styx Pride females have always had a knack of using the topography to their advantage.
The night before this giraffe was killed, the injured lioness had been with the two females and three cubs found feeding on the giraffe, but she had obviously battled to keep up with them, and was seen on her own, midway between Campbell Koppies and the Matshapiri. For the next few days, it was hoped that she would see vultures in the area of the kill, but this did not happen, and she went hungry. Once the giraffe carcass had been eaten, the lions involved there headed back towards the Campbell Koppies area. The injured lioness, meanwhile, had headed northwards, where she had linked up with one of the Split Rock Males and two other Styx females (adult and sub-adult). These four lions then made an unexpected appearance on the western boundary of the reserve, south and west of the airstrip, the following morning. Here they chased 9 hyenas off an adult wildebeest kill. Indications were that the wildebeest had indeed been killed by the hyenas, and the lions must have been attracted to the area by the sound of the hyenas feeding. The Split Rock Male dominated the feeding, but the injured Styx lioness showed great tenacity and determination, and she too managed to get a good feed, something which she had clearly needed. As the month progressed, her leg injury appeared to be improving, and at times she was able to walk and run quite well, putting weight on her sore limb. The more she uses it now, the more the wasted muscles will have a chance to build up their strength again.
A few days after this incident, the Styx Pride members were found some way to the east of Stwise, midway between Stwise and the Mlowathi. The lionesses were taking it in turns to dig purposefully into a burrow, no doubt in the hopes of excavating a warthog. Again, the injured lioness showed great spirit and determination, and it is clear that she is well on her way to recovery, even though the injury will probably never heal entirely. The digging efforts were without reward, but the three cubs looked on with great interest from the branches of a nearby low tree!
Early in the month, the younger of the sub-adult females was seen mating with the older Split Rock Male. There was good mating activity, but whether or not it resulted in conception remains to be seen.
October 2004
STYX
PRIDE = 8
3
FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 9 YEARS 0 MONTHS
& 9 YEARS 6 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 42
MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 32 MONTHS
2 CUBS
* 14 MONTHS
1 CUB * 12 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MALA MALA
With the exception of the lioness nursing an injured leg, members of the Styx Pride seem to be doing well. At the beginning of the month, they were found on an adult male giraffe kill, probably at least a day after the kill had been made. In addition to that, they were seen to kill two duikers on separate occasions. Both duikers were young animals, and would have been polished off in a few minutes.
On some occasions, the members of the Styx Pride were accompanied by one or both of the Split Rock Males. Not often were all of the Styx Pride members seen together. This is not surprising, as the lioness with the injured leg would battle to keep up with the other members of the pride if they were moving briskly or covering a lot of ground in one night.
September 2004
STYX PRIDE = 8
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 8 YEARS 11 MONTHS
& 9 YEARS 5 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 41 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 31 MONTHS
2
CUBS
* 13 MONTHS
1
CUB
* 11 MONTHS
Location: MARTHLY/ EYREFIELD/ MALA MALA/ FLOCKFIELD
Although it is perhaps too early to be absolutely certain, it seems very likely that the lactating lioness of the Styx Pride has abandoned her cubs, and / or that they have died. It will be remembered that this particular lioness, which happens to be the mother of the older sub-adult lioness of the pride, is suffering from a recurrence of an old hind leg injury (it is believed that this leg was broken more than two years ago). While such an injury, which is clearly causing the lioness a good deal of pain at times, is not in itself life-threatening, this lioness would certainly not be able to run as fast as a fit lioness, and therefore her chances of successful hunting on her own would be slim. In order to feed, therefore, she needs to rely on others, or on scavenging. A lioness is not easily replaced, whereas it is easy to replace cubs, so it would make more sense for the lioness to take care of her own needs, and abandon the cubs, than it would for her to try to fend for herself and look after cubs.
The Styx Pride continued to provide very good viewing in September, and they covered a fair amount of ground, even venturing down onto southern Flockfield (a part of the reserve where, years ago, they used to spend a great deal of time). A particularly memorable sighting of these lions took place around the middle of this game report period, after the lions had been found at Lion Water Hole on central Flockfield. They all looked very lean, and began to hunt at dusk. They picked up the scent of something, and their noses led them straight to a very large knobthron tree, in which was stashed an impala carcass, obviously a leopard's kill. The lionesses and cubs all looked up at the carcass with keen interest, but it was about 8 or 9 metres above the ground, and the tree had a rather straight trunk. The older of the two sub-adult lionesses (virtually the size of an adult) had a go at climbing the tree, and she managed with ease, coming to within a metre or so of the carcass. This was impressive! The configuration of the branches, however, prevented her from getting access to the kill, and she soon decided that up in the tree was no place for a lioness to be, and she decided to descend. This was not such a simple matter, and she made quite a hash of it, eventually coming to ground with an undignified thud! The other pride members, notably the younger sub-adult and the three cubs, gave her plenty of encouragement and moral support, whereupon the lioness repeated her whole act, with exactly the same result!
Over the next couple of days, the Styx Pride moved right into the northern part of the reserve again, even crossing into neighbouring property. They returned a couple of days later, and were seen to kill and devour an impala in a large open area close to Mlowathi Dam.
August 2004
STYX PRIDE = 11 (approximately)
1 FEMALE * 15 YEARS 2 MONTHS
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 8 YEARS 10 MONTHS & 9 YEARS 4 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 40 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE *
30 MONTHS
2
CUBS *
12 MONTHS
1
CUB * 10 MONTHS
1
CUB * 7 MONTHS
1
OR MORE CUBS *
3 MONTHS
Location: MARTHLY/ EYREFIELD/ MALA MALA
The oldest member of the Styx Pride, a lioness of more than fifteen years of age, has not been seen for several weeks now, and it seems more and more likely that she and her 7 month old cub have perished. It will be remembered that this old lioness had both her rear feet severely injured, reportedly from a hyena mauling.
One of the other lionesses of the pride (the female that is lactating and believed to have cubs on Campbell Koppies), seems to be battling from an old leg injury sustained more than two years ago. She is quite mobile, but often limps along with the hind leg dangling in the air, particularly if she has been stationary for some time and the sore leg is stiff.
Apart from that, all seems to be well with the Styx Pride, and it should not be too long before we see the newest litter of cubs being brought down from the koppies and perhaps even being led to some of the kills made by the lionesses. On several occasions the adult and sub-adult lionesses of the pride were found with one or both of the Split Rock Males, but the three older cubs of the pride were only seen on a few occasions.
Although followed on the hunt on numerous occasions during August, members of the Styx Pride were not seen to make any kills, but they are obviously having a good deal of success, as their condition is as good as usual.
July 2004
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 8 YEARS 9 MONTHS & 9 YEARS 3 MONTHS
2 CUBS
* 11 MONTHS
Location: MARTHLY/ EYREFIELD/
MALA MALA
The mother of the 39-month old
sub-adult lioness of the Styx Pride has another litter of cubs, which
are currently stashed on top of Campbell Koppies.
As a result, there has been excellent viewing of the Styx Pride
in recent weeks, mainly in the area around Campbell Koppies, as other
pride members frequently link up with this lactating female. It is not known how many young cubs there are, as there has only been
a distant sighting of one, right on the top of Campbell Koppies, but
in the next month or so we could expect to see the cub(s) at closer
quarters. Once
they start eating meat (usually at around 3 months), they will become
more mobile, but will face strong competition from the older cubs, and
it would not be surprising if their mother keeps them separate from
the rest of the pride for a while.
This, of course, puts a strain on her.
Sightings of the Styx Pride
were very varied in terms of composition of lions present, but what
was frequently witnessed was the coming together of members of the pride,
often following some roaring activity.
The two Split Rock Males spent more time with the Styx Pride
in July than in the preceding months, and again it seemed that the younger
male lion was more strongly bonded to the females than the older one. There were several sightings of this younger
Split Rock Male mating with one of the Styx Pride lionesses, quite early
in the month.
Although the Styx Pride members
were followed on the hunt on numerous occasions, there was only one
kill which they were seen to make, this being of a young male impala,
killed early in the month, in a large open area near Mlowathi Dam in
the north of the reserve. On
this occasion, one of the lionesses and the younger Split Rock Male
had moved a long way north from two other lions (one female and the
older Split Rock Male). The two that had stayed behind, however, followed
the route taken by the two "leaders", but half an hour later. When the kill was made, the second lioness
was present, and the older Split Rock Male appeared on the scene when
all three of the other lions were already feeding.
He made no attempt to feed, which adds weight to the theory that
the younger male may have taken over as the more dominant of the two.
As long as the Styx Pride remain under the control of the Split Rock Males, and as long as the Split Rock Males control most of Marthly, Eyrefield and Mala Mala, we can look forward to continued good and regular viewing of these lions over the next months. There were no sightings of the injured old lioness or her cub during July.
June 2004
Members of the Styx Pride seen during
June 2004
May 2004
STYX PRIDE = 10
1 FEMALE
* 14 YEARS 11 MONTHS
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between
* 8 YEARS 7 MONTHS & 9 YEARS 1 MONTH
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 37
MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 27 MONTHS
2 CUBS * 9 MONTHS
1 CUB * 7 MONTHS
1 CUB * 4 MONTHS
Location: EASTERN MARTHLY/ SOUTHERN EYREFIELD/ MALA MALA
The Styx Pride spent the first and last weeks of the game-report-period more-or-less together, but operated in a somewhat fragmented manner during the intervening days, with the mother/ protector of the oldest cubs heading off with 'her' trio, whilst the other four females stayed with the oldest lioness and her single small cub. And the single lioness did quite well living on her own for a while. On one occasion she was seen using leopard-like tactics to catch an impala, but, unlike a leopard, couldn't conceal the carcass well enough when she went off to fetch the cubs and a hyaena came along and stole it.
In some ways, the modus operandi of the Styx Pride this month seemed to lack clear direction, perhaps because of the cubs with their different ages and requirements and, at the same time, all still being at a stage of great vulnerability. As the cubs have become more mobile, so too has the Styx Prides operating range, at least as compared with last months. Towards the beginning of the report-period, the lions of the Styx Pride worked some of the more central parts of the reserve, places which they haven't been seen in for quite some time. Later on, however, they went back northwards, perhaps because the Split Rock Males, 'their males', weren't around to back them up against opposition from the West Street Males and Eyrefield Pride.
The Split Rock Males were seen with the Styx Pride on only a few occasions, once when the old lioness was alone and was confronted by both males of the coalition, an interaction which saw more displays of male domination than friendliness. Then, towards the end of the month, when the Split Rock Males parted ways for a while, the older one was seen a couple of times following the Styx Pride around, surely to the frustration of the lionesses. To his credit, however, this Split Rock Male was on one occasion seen assisting the youngest cub of the pride in crossing through a precipitous donga.
Towards the end of the month, the Styx Pride members were all back together and patrolling the northern parts of the reserve. Also, in true Styx Pride style, they took all cubs with them, even the very smallest, leaving them behind only when the goings became just too unfriendly for their little legs. And, on these occasions, the cubs were left behind with hardly any ceremony - they simply fell by the wayside and the lionesses continued with scarcely a backward glance. As has been commented upon so many times in the past, if a Styx Pride cub makes it to maturity, it's passed through the toughest of schools and is probably more equipped for life than many other young lions of similar age.
April 2004
STYX PRIDE = 11
1 FEMALE * 14 YEARS 10 MONTHS
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between
* 8 YEARS 6 MONTHS & 9 YEARS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 36
MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 26 MONTHS
2 CUBS
* 8 MONTHS
1 CUB * 6 MONTHS
2 CUBS * 3 MONTHS
Location: EASTERN MARTHLY/ SOUTHERN EYREFIELD/ MALA MALA
The Styx Pride was by far the most frequently encountered lion family on the reserve this month and hardly a day went by when at least some of them weren't seen. And, with cubs, kills, matings and more, the sightings provided all with a superb overview on the chapter of a lion families life.
Viewing started with what appeared to be an aggressive interaction between the Styx Pride and the two Split Rock Males, the lions which control the area in which the Styx Pride lives. The two groups were seen coming together, but moving with great caution, as if they didn't recognise one another. The cubs, which had been with the females, dashed off when the males appeared and all behaved as if they were dealing with strangers, the females protecting their cubs and the males moving in to discipline. But it was more noise than anything else and probably because the females had been caught by surprise by the unexpected appearance of the Split Rock Males and, preferring to be cautious, particularly with the two 'foreign males' wandering around, approached the males defensively rather than with subservience.
Things changed, however, over the next few days. The cubs went off with some of the lionesses and the two Split Rock Males mated with the mother of the 6-month-old cub as well as with the three-year-old lioness. For the latter it was her first mating, for the mother of the 6-month-old cub a confirmation that her cub has been taken under the wing of her sister, the mother of the two 8-month-olds. And, whilst this was happening, the oldest lioness was still busy caring for her not-quite-three-month-old cubs still hidden in the rocks of Stwise and Poliwe.
For much of the month (and after the mating of the afor-mentioned lionesses) the Styx Pride operated in two separate groups, one of five made up of the three older cubs, their mother/ 'foster mother' as well as the two-year-old lioness and the second group made up of the other four lionesses of the family. The cub-caretakers operated mostly along the upper reaches of the Matshapiri River, killing enough food for both themselves as well as for the cubs. Not only were they good killers, but also proved to be fine mothers in the sense that they were protective of their babies too. There was one occasion when, whilst feeding off the carcass of an adult female wildebeest, a large herd of buffaloes approached. Although buffaloes rate as food for the lions, they are also very dangerous animals, particularly if the lions have young cubs. And, with this in mind, the two lionesses gathered the cubs and moved them off when they thought that the buffaloes were too close. Fortunately nothing happened and the five lions returned to resume their feast.
The separation of the two groups of the Styx Pride wasn't completely clinical. After the above-mentioned buffalo incident and as the last of the wildebeest carcass had been eaten, three of the lionesses (the old lioness wasn't amongst them) came along to join up with them, having walked from some distance away and directly towards them, almost as if they knew exactly where they were and what they had been doing! But this get-together wasn't for long and the lions then separated into the same groups, four of them operating around the area where the old lioness' cubs were hidden, the others further east of this.
Then, half-way through the report-period, the oldest lioness started mating with one of the Split Rock Males, completely perplexing all in that this mating seemed to indicate that she'd lost her cubs, these thought to have been up in the koppies of Stwise and Poliwe. This mating carried on for some days, but not in the usual way. Instead of isolating herself and the Split Rock Male from the others and dedicatedly going through the process, the old lioness joined the others on various hunting excursions before resuming mating. As it turned out, however, this was what might be termed a 'false oestrus'. Less than a week after the mating started, she and three other lionesses were seen on Poliwe, together with at least two cubs. The youngsters stayed on top of the hill and the females went hunting. And, whilst this was happening, the two other lionesses and the three older cubs were found near the Ostrich Koppies, thus accounting for these youngsters too.
Then, towards the end of the April report-period, the old lioness was seen moving a single cub, from the Stwise area towards the land between Campbell Koppies and the Ngoboswan Donga, areas which in the past have been used as places of refuge for small cubs belonging to the Styx Pride. It's not certain just how many cubs were moved and the process may have taken a fairly long period of time. The day after this move, the lioness was seen again, still alone and moving back towards the general area of Stwise, perhaps to get other cubs. After this, all six lionesses, as well as the three older cubs, were seen together, having just completed a kudu kill. But things won't be plain sailing from here. With large age-differences between the cubs, the younger ones are going to have a battle on their hands. And, with maybe two other lionesses of the Styx Pride (and potentially even a third if the three-year-old is also pregnant) perhaps still to have babies over the next three months, this competition gap could get even bigger.
As far as territory goes, the Styx Pride appears quite secure, and, with the Split Rock Males seemingly more and more in control of areas which up until recently used to be considered to belong to the West Street Males, the Styx Pride now has the chance to follow and return to parts which some years ago always used to be considered pure Styx Pride territory.
March 2004
STYX PRIDE = 9
1 FEMALE * 14 YEARS 9 MONTHS
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between
* 8 YEARS 5 MONTHS & 8 YEARS & 11 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 35
MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 25 MONTHS
2 CUBS
* 7 MONTHS
1 CUB * 5 MONTHS
Location: EASTERN MARTHLY/ SW EYREFIELD/ NW MALA MALA
The Styx Pride provided some fine viewing this month as they hunted in the areas close to where the young cubs of the oldest lioness of the family have been hidden.
Towards the beginning of this March-report-period, three of the lionesses of the Styx Pride were found near Stwise, the granite Koppie located on the eastern bank of the Manyelethi River, a couple of kilometres from where this river joins with the Sand River. From then on, these lionesses remained in this area and it became clear that this was where the newest cubs of the Pride, born towards the beginning of February, had been secreted.
A week or so into March, two other lionesses of the Styx Pride joined this group, accounting for three of the adults and both sub adults. Missing was the fourth adult lioness and her three 7-month-old cubs. At the time it was thought that the single surviving 5-month-old must have been taken to the top of Stwise as well, to join the youngest lions, but this was never verified. This separation of these very differently aged cubs from one another is quite expected since the older, stronger cubs will always outcompete the smaller, weaker ones, not only for meat when they start feeding on solids, but also for milk at the nipples. Lactating lionesses will suckle all cubs in a family and the biggest and strongest will force the younger ones aside and gobble up their milk, often without the mother doing anything to prevent this.
On some occasions this month, when the lions would descend from Stwise to head out on their near nightly hunts, there were brief sightings of small cubs near the top of the hill, but it was never sure if it was the youngest cubs only, or them and the single surviving five-month-old. Also, since this five-month-old is eating meat, it could be expected that it would be taken to kills, but, with mostly impalas being taken (or at least these were the kills witnessed) it would have been pointless for this young cubs' mother to return to the hill and then go back with it to find nothing but chips of bone and a few patches of blood remaining.
One of the only large carcasses found, almost certainly killed by the Styx Pride, was that of an adult female waterbuck and, by the time this was located, the lions had already left and made their way to the top of the Campbell Koppies where access was also impossible for landrovers. So, if the 5-month-old had been with them, it certainly wasn't seen.
Then, towards months end, the missing adult lioness returned, arriving at the Campbell Koppies where the other members of the pride had been hunting and resting over the previous few days. Accompanying this lioness were three cubs and, from the base of the Campbell Koppies, it was thought that they were the 7-month-olds. However, two days later, and on the morning following a spectacular hunt involving all 6 of the Styx Pride lionesses where they were seen executing a near-perfect ambush on a family of zebra and killing a foal, an adult female lioness was found descending from the next-to-western-most-Campbell Koppie with three cubs and moving eastwards, towards the eastern-most hill where other adults of the pride were waiting. The surprise, however, was that the cubs comprised only two of the seven-month-olds and the third one was the single surviving 5-month-old.
So, over the weeks when there were no sightings of the mother of the three older cubs, or any of the youngsters, one of the 7-month-olds must have perished and the single 5-month-old must have joined up with her aunt and older half-brothers and sisters. This then would explain why there was no sign of any other cubs when the five lionesses were staying around Stwise where the oldest lioness was known to be hiding her two-month-olds. The mother of the 5-month-old must have simply handed it over to her sister (or half-sister) to care for.
By months end, the lionesses of the Styx Pride were all together and indications were that one of the lionesses had assumed control of all three of the older cubs. The oldest lionesses' two-month-old cubs were probably still hidden somewhere on Stwise. Although the dominant males of the area, the Split Rock Males, were seldom seen this month, they were probably more active in the area than sightings suggested, this indicated by spoor and roaring. There was a sighting of one of these male lions patrolling around Stwise. One slight worry for the Styx Pride - and the Split Rock Males - is that the two young male lions first seen near the beginning of the year in the northern parts of the reserve, are still hanging around. If they're not dealt with by the Split Rock Males, they could spell bad news for the Styx Pride and their cubs.
February 2004
STYX PRIDE = 10
1 FEMALE *
14 YEARS 8 MONTHS
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 8 YEARS 4 MONTHS & 8 YEARS
& 10 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 34 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE *
24 MONTHS
3 CUBS
* 6 MONTHS
1 CUB *
4 MONTHS
Location: EASTERN MARTHLY/ WEST & CENTRAL EYREFIELD/ NW MALA MALA
February brought birth and death of cubs for the Styx Pride. Towards the beginning of the month, after five of the lionesses had been hunting south of the Campbell Koppies where they must have killed something quite large, a kudu or perhaps even a zebra, the mother of the four 4-month-olds went to fetch her youngsters which, as it turned out, had almost certainly been hidden in some gully system half-way along the Mlowathi River. But, in spite of much calling and effort, only one appeared to join her. Just what happened to the others, goodness only knows. Perhaps they were killed by the two new male lions which have been making their presence felt in this area, so far avoiding contact with the Split Rock Males, the lions considered to be those which dominate over the Styx Pride.
A few days before this above-mentioned incident, the larger of these 'new' males was seen mating with one of the Styx Pride lionesses, the mother of the two-year-old. Whilst this mating was taking place, the Split Rock Males were away, mating with another lioness, this one thought to have been one of the Eyrefield Pride females. As it turned out, this mating wasn't successful since, just over two weeks later, this Styx Pride lioness was again in season and mating with one of the Split Rock Males. This particular lioness is thought to have given birth in December last year, but apparently lost the cubs soon after they were born. She was seen mating with one of the Split Rock Males midway through January.
But perhaps the most exciting news was that the oldest lioness of the Styx Pride probably gave birth towards the beginning of February. She was seen mating with an archenemy, one of the West Street Males, late October last year and, assuming a 100-day or so pregnancy, she would have been due to give birth at this time. Just why she mated with one of the West Street Males isn't known, but it's sufficient to guess that it was in desperation and thanks to the fact that the Split Rock Males simply weren't around when she needed them. On the day that she probably gave birth, she and four other lionesses of the pride, as well as the single remaining 4-month-old, were in the vicinity of the Campbell Koppies. There was a good deal of vocalising amongst the lions and all climbed the western-most hill, the oldest lioness bringing up the rear. She appeared to be in a bad mood and snarled at the others as she moved along. She also investigated all nooks and crannies as she climbed, clearly interested in matters that the others paid no attention to.
The lions spent the day on this hill. Towards evening, a herd of 100 or so buffaloes came by and most of the lions descended to try their luck with these, no doubt remembering their successes with buffaloes over recent months. However, as this was taking place, the two Split Rock Males were making their way towards the Campbell Koppies from several kilometres away. There was some roaring from the Styx Pride, as if they were aware of the male lions and were summonsing them. When the male lions arrived at the hills, they weren't interested in the buffaloes nearby, rather, they ascended the western-most koppie. Male lions often show great interest in new arrivals and it could very well have been that this is what they had been summonsed for. And, even though they are probably not the fathers of these cubs, they wouldn't have known this and, through association and familiarity with the lionesses, would simply assume that they were and would protect them as if they were their own.
The following day all lionesses, except for the oldest one, were seen towards the northern limits of the Mlowathi River. Here they killed a young zebra and the three 6-month-old cubs were called. Later that evening the lionesses roared and were answered by a single roar to their south, from the general area of the Campbell Koppies. At nearly 15 years of age, the oldest lioness of the family has raised just one litter of cubs and, in the last three or so years, the current litter would be her fifth. Her last cubs were killed in April 2002, probably by the Split Rock Males and Clarendon Pride when they and the Styx Pride confronted one another over a buffalo which had been killed by the Clarendon Pride in Styx Pride territory. Towards month's end, evidence suggested that the cubs had been transferred from the Campbell Koppies to Stwise, the rocky hills on southwestern Marthly. Since all cubs of the Styx Pride are still suckling and since there is such a large age difference between the litters, it's anticipated that the lionesses and youngsters of this family will operate in a rather fragmented manner over the next few months at least.
January 2004
STYX PRIDE = 13
1 FEMALE *
14 YEARS 7MONTHS
3 FEMALES aged
between * 8 YEARS 3 MONTHS & 8 YEARS & 9 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 33 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 23 MONTHS
3 CUBS * 5 MONTHS
4 CUBS * 3 MONTHS
Location: WEST & CENTRAL EYREFIELD/ NTHN MALA MALA/ EASTERN MALA MALA/ FLOCKFIELD BOUNDARY.
The Styx Pride was seen on almost every day for the first half of the month and produced some fine viewing. All seven cubs continued to prosper, but things might not look entirely rosy for them with the arrival of two new male lions in the area.
The Split Rock Males, probable fathers of these cubs, have been busy to the south of the territory occupied by the Styx Pride, pressurising the old West Street Males and no doubt seeking to gain control of their land and of course the lionesses of the Eyrefield Pride which go with it. But this effort of theirs may have caused them to neglect the home-front and two young male lions have appeared. They were seen chasing the Styx Pride near the central parts of the reserve (the sole excursion these lions made to this area this month) and then, a month later, pitching up in an area where the Styx Pride, with all seven cubs, had been seen eating an adult male kudu the night before. Thereafter there was no further sign of the Styx Pride or these young males, so goodness knows what happened.
There has been no evidence that the Split Rock Males have responded to these incursions or to the harassment of the lionesses and their cubs by these young male lions and unless they do respond, the youngsters of the Styx Pride face death as these new males seek to kill them in order to mate with the lionesses.
The one lioness, the mother of the nearly-two-year-old lioness, which probably gave birth last month, was seen mating with one of the Split Rock Males near the middle of January, indicating that these cubs must have died soon after they were born; goodness knows how.
There was also some suggestion that the oldest of the Styx Pride also mated, but this may have been a false oestrus since it lasted only a day or so. She was last seen mating three months ago when she and her old enemy, one of the West Street Males, came together. If this mating was successful, then cubs could be expected sometime in early or mid-February.
Perhaps the most spectacular sighting of the Styx Pride this month happened when two of the adult lionesses and the nearly two-year-old were seen killing an adult female buffalo which had lagged behind the rest of the herd. Although the buffalo bellowed loudly, the others of the group failed to come to her aid and the lionesses eventually subdued her. That evening the buffalo herd did indeed appear, but by then of course it was too late. Still, the lions were chased from the area and many of the herd nuzzled and tried to lift their dead companion. The Styx Pride feasted on this buffalo for several days.
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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