December 2002

WINDMILL PRIDE = 15
6 ADULT FEMALES
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 13 MONTHS
8 CUBS * 2-3 MONTHS

Location: CENTRAL & SE CHARLESTON/ NE TOULON (east and north of the Sand River)

Evidence over the last year or more has suggested that the large Windmill Pride has split up, with most of the younger members heading off north and east. There has been no single sighting of all 16 members of this pride (as the count over a year ago suggested) together for many months now.

During December, members of the Windmill Pride appeared with at least 8 small cubs, these from perhaps three different litters, and estimated to be between the ages of 2 and 3 months. In mid-October there was a sighting of four of the Windmill Pride lionesses, at least two of which appeared to be on the verge of giving birth.

With such small and helpless youngsters, it could be expected that the lions would be very area-bound. And this is indeed what seemed to happen as they made southern and eastern Charleston their home during the December-game-report-period.

Unfortunately the cub-caring abilities of the lionesses appeared somewhat poor and by months end, few of the cubs still seemed to be around. Maybe they are still being hidden in secure places visited secretly by the lactating lionesses. Some hints that this may be the case came from observations when for days on end only adults would be seen and then suddenly some of the young cubs would be found with them. Lion cubs really only start eating meat at three months of age, so to expect such youngsters to follow the pride around on a regular basis is perhaps too much. So hopefully most of the 8 cubs (or even all of them) seen in early December are still somewhere around and will reappear when they reach the meat-eating stage.

One thing going for the lions of the Windmill Pride is that the coalition of three male lions which must have fathered the cubs seem attentive and there were several sightings of at least some members of this coalition with the lionesses and cubs during December.

The presence of the Windmill Pride in the areas of southern and eastern Charleston coincided with an absence of the Charleston Pride from these areas. The same coalition of male lions which controls the Windmill Pride also controls the Charleston Pride.

November 2002

WINDMILL PRIDE = 16

9 adult lionesses
2 sub adult males
4 approximately 41 month-old females
1 twelve- month-old cub

Location: SE CHARLESTON

There was only one confirmed sighting of any members of the Windmill Pride in November, and this of two of the lionesses and the year-old youngster. However, it is thought that several of the lionesses of the Windmill Pride have recently given birth and this would certainly keep them very area-bound, restricting their movements within portions of their territory. Also, with the huge tracts of land within the Kruger National Park adjacent to their territory in Mala Mala having been burned earlier this year and now having flushed with green grass, this would, at least on a short-term basis, provide them with a more profitable source of prey animals.

October 2002

WINDMILL PRIDE = 16
9 adult lionesses
2 sub adult males
4 approximately 40 month-old females
1 eleven- month-old cub

Location: SE CHARLESTON

There was only one confirmed sighting of members of the Windmill Pride during October. On this occasion, four lionesses and the nearly one-year-old cub were present, together with two of the three male lions which control this family. At least two of the Windmill Pride lionesses looked to be on the verge of giving birth. When they do, this may well consume the interest of the male lions, at least for a while. This particular sighting of the Windmill Pride had the lions heading away from the Chellahanga River, towards the Kruger National Park where a large chunk of land was burned in early August. Whilst on the move, the lions encountered three Rhinos which were firstly curious and then somewhat put out by the presence of the lions. The Windmill Pride tried their best to be somewhat nonchalant about the rhinos, but on one or two occasions had to give ground to the giant beasts. The rhinos eventually moved on and the lions continued on their way.

The flush of green grass expected to come from this burned area over the next few weeks may well attract the grass-eaters and of course the lions. So with new cubs expected and a concentrated supply of food on the cards, it may be a while before the Windmill Pride is seen with any great frequency.

September 2002

WINDMILL PRIDE = 16
9 adult lionesses
2 sub adult males
4 approximately 39 month-old females
1 ten-month-old cub

Location: SW, CENTRAL & NE CHARLESTON/ NW TOULON (north of the Sand River)

There were no sightings of the Windmill Pride during September. They may have been on the reserve on some occasions, particularly in the central eastern parts (close to the Kruger National Park), but since few gamedrive vehicles drive this area, chances are that they could easily be overlooked. Interactions with the Charleston Pride last month may also have encouraged the Windmill Pride to move further east and spend more time inside the Kruger National Park.

August 2002

WINDMILL PRIDE = 16
9 adult lionesses
2 sub adult males
4 approximately 38 month-old females
1 nine-month-old cub

Location: SW, CENTRAL & NE CHARLESTON/ NW TOULON (north of the Sand River)

Only seven of the Windmill Pride members were seen this month, six lionesses and the single young cub. These lions occupied the central-east and central-south of the reserve during August. There is increasing evidence to suggest that the original Windmill Pride has split up into at least two units, the one operating to the north of these others. Whether this is temporary or not waits to be seen.

Perhaps the most interesting sighting involving the Windmill Pride was of them coming within less than 100 meters of the Charleston Pride. Both families of lions simply must have been aware of one another, but instead of there being a fight, the two prides lay down looking at one another. The Windmill Pride was probably in the wrong, having been caught trespassing in Charleston Pride territory. Probably as a result of not behaving aggressively and also perhaps due to the presence of the adult male lions which control both families of lions, no fighting was seen to occur. The Windmill Pride moved out of the area.

July 2002

WINDMILL PRIDE = 15

9 adult lionesses
2 sub adult males
4 approximately 37 month-old females

Location: SE EYREFIELD/ EASTERN MALA MALA & EASTERN FLOCKFILED

Only certain members of the Windmill Pride were seen this month, these being three lionesses and the two young males. They were seen on southeastern Eyrefield and eastern Flockfield. Indications are that the Windmill Pride might well have split into at least two units, the one staying in their 'traditional' areas to the south of the group which was seen during July. Food requirements alone would be reason enough for such a split in so large a pride. Another reason for separation of members, however, would be attentions from adult male lions. It is thought that the three male lions which dominate the Charleston Pride have cast their eyes to the Windmill Pride and this would no doubt cause the two young males of this family to move out of their way and, in so doing, could cause some of the lionesses, particularly the younger ones, to follow them, at least temporarily.

June 2002

9 adult lionesses
2 sub adult males
4 approximately 36 month-old females

Location: CENTRAL & EASTERN FLOCKFILED

There were few sightings of the Windmill Pride this month and these only of some of the members. Of interest, however, was a sighting of two adult male lions together with some of the Windmill Pride lionesses. It is thought that these male lions were part of the coalition of three which has fathered the cubs of the Charleston Pride which have of late been operating in land to the south of that patrolled by the Windmill Pride. It has been some time now since the Windmill Pride has been seen with male lions and with their previous cubs fairly well grown, they must be ready for mating and a next litter.

May 2002

9 adult lionesses
2 sub adult males
4 approximately 35 month-old females

Location: CENTRAL FLOCKFILED

Whilst it is quite probable that some lions seen on Charleston were members of the Windmill Pride, their identity was not confirmed as such. With them - a maximum of five lionesses and one that was judged to be a one-and-a-half-year-old youngster - were two adult male lions, one of which was decidedly uncomfortable in the presence of vehicles. Although members of the Windmill Pride have certainly been seen over the last year or so, and some large gatherings at that, much is almost certain to have happened without our knowledge, this the consequence of these lions probably spending much of their time either inside the Kruger National Park or areas of Mala Mala not often patrolled by gamedrive vehicles. What certainly has occurred is the disappearance of the old males which used to be in charge of them a few years ago. But which males have taken over, if any? Now it appears that the trio of male lions which has for the last year or so dominated the Charleston Pride has moved further north and taken over the Windmill Pride as well - or at least part of them. It has been many months since all lionesses of the Windmill Pride have been seen together and a combination of lion social dynamics and food reserves may have caused them to break up into smaller units, perhaps on a permanent basis. The only confirmed sighting of members of the Windmill Pride was of three lionesses in the centre of the reserve. They were sunning themselves on a large boulder and hardly moved throughout the entire day.

April 2002

9 adult lionesses
2 sub adult males
4 approximately 34 month-old females

Location: CENTRAL-WEST FLOCKFILED/ EASTERN CHARLESTON

No sightings of these lions this month.

March 2002

9 adult lionesses
2 sub adult males
4 approximately 33-month-old female cubs

Location: CENTRAL-WEST FLOCKFILED/ EASTERN CHARLESTON

The eight members of the Windmill Pride, which have given such fine viewing over the last few months, were seen only five times in March, probably because they spent much of their time in the central-south of the reserve where vehicle activity was perhaps not as regular. The presence of four adult male lions in this general area for some time in March may also have contributed to their relative absence, as would the increased activity of the Charleston Pride in the south-central parts of Mala Mala. But the lions remained in fine condition, probably from regularly killing large animals. At one sighting they were seen resting up, fat and satisfied, close to the skeleton of a freshly killed adult male waterbuck. On another occasion, the bones of zebra, consumed in one night, were located in an area where they had been active. The last sighting of the Windmill Pride in March occurred near the middle-lower parts of the Chellahanga River. At the time they were being screamed at by a troop of baboons and were only a kilometre or so to the north of where the Charleston Pride were fast asleep.

February 2002

8 adult lionesses
1 sub adult female
2 sub adult males
4 approximately 32-month-old female cubs

Location: SOUTH-CENTRAL EYREFIELD/ CENTRAL MALA MALA/ EAST-CENTRAL FLOCKFILED/ NORTH-CENTRAL CHARLESTON

The eight members of the Windmill Pride which ended last month towards the centre of the reserve and looking very lean following successive days of bright moonlit nights, started February on a spectacular note when they took advantage of a furious thunderstorm and killed a pregnant zebra. This kill took place along the Matshapiri River and deep within the territory of the Styx Pride. But at least five of these lions have been in this area before and this recce of a Garden of Eden may have brought them back, this time with some of their companions. When the Windmill Pride had rested up and their stomachs were not so swollen, they set off again and almost immediately ran into the four lionesses from the Styx Pride. Having 'hometown' advantage, the Styx Pride dominated and chased off the Windmill Pride, in the process giving the young male something of a thrashing which propelled him to the rear of the rest of the pride. But the Styx Pride had their cubs in attendance and was probably somewhat reluctant to continue the chase. So the Windmill Pride waited and then continued to stay in the area, making several kills before eventually heading south again. But this southerly return did not last long and they were soon back in the general areas of the Matshapiri, again hunting amongst the great numbers of impala and zebra. But why did they not stay south? The area is certainly not barren and good prey numbers seem to occur. Perhaps other lions are the problem. Some young males are certainly in the area, as has been the Charleston Pride. And where are the other members of the large Windmill pride? Has there been a permanent split amongst them and for what reason? Perhaps cubs and a general shortage of food for such a giant pride. Perhaps also the anticipation of cubs which will, later on, keep them area-bound. Who knows, but whatever the reason, the Styx Pride had them on their doorstep for much of the month and they delivered good viewing during February.

January 2002

8 adult lionesses
1 sub adult female
2 sub adult males
4 approximately 31-month-old female cubs

Location: SW FLOCKFILED/ CHARLESTON

The Windmill Pride - or at least members of this family - provided fine viewing over this game-report-period. The five members which spent so long in the north of the reserve last month, headed south, spurred on when they bypassed the Eyrefield Pride and West Street Males squabbling and roaring over the remains of a giraffe carcass. When the five lions heard the fury of the feeding lions, they literally tucked their tails between their legs and bolted, heading deep south. Once they reached areas more familiar to them, they joined up with three other lionesses and this group then occupied the central-south of Mala Mala for the remainder of the month. It is not known what has happened to the other members of the Windmill Pride; 7 lionesses (including at least two sub adults) were accounted for and these were accompanied by one of the young males. But what of the other 6 females? Perhaps the pride has split up and has gone their separate ways. A group of 13 lionesses is very large and would require regular quantities of large prey items. But then what happens to the now separate bodies of lions; they would have to find someplace to work independently in order to survive? And what of male lions? At some stage the lionesses will come into season and mating will be required. Perhaps the presence of the Golf Course Males in the central-south this month had something to do with the Windmill Pride. But whatever the reason for these 8 getting together and acting independently of the other members of the pride, they have been providing fine viewing and more promises to be in the pipeline.

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

Copyright © Rattray Reserves