STYX PRIDE
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July 2006
STYX PRIDE = 7
2 ADULT FEMALES * 10 YEARS 11 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE *5 YEARS 3 MONTH
1 ADULT FEMALE *4 YEARS 4 MONTHS
2 SUB ADULT FEMALES *3 YEARS 11 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE *2 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 CUB *3 MONTHS
2 CUBS *8 WEEKS
MARTHLY, MALA MALA, EYREFIELD, FLOCKFIELD
(20 sightings) |
The Styx Pride again provided fine viewing over the July game report period. Most of the sightings were of fragmented parts of the pride, with only six sightings including all of the Styx Pride members. On nine occasions, the Split Rock Male was seen with the Styx Pride. |
The first significant sighting of the month was recorded early in the game report period, when one small cub was seen with the young four-year old lioness on one of the Campbell Koppies. This cub was seen at least three more times up on the Campbell Koppies before its mother brought it down from its rocky retreat. In true Styx Pride fashion, this cub had already walked a fair amount over north-western Eyrefield by the end of the game report period. Later in the game report period, there was a brief sighting of at least two small cubs on one of the koppies, suggesting that there may be more than one litter of cubs, as the cub with the four-year old lioness is definitely a singleton. This is supported by the fact that one of the old ten-year old lionesses is lactating, and is regularly seen with the mothering four-year old lioness around the Campbell Koppies.
Photograph by ranger Tim Gaunt
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The Styx Pride again hunted well, and all the lionesses looked in great condition. Early in the game report period, one of the sub-adult lionesses was seen to kill a young duiker, which she ate herself. Later in the game report period, the whole pride was present when a massive male warthog was caught early one morning. Shortly after the warthog was caught, the Split Rock Male muscled in and dominated the kill. Later in the game report period, one of the lionesses caught an adult male impala, which was again dominated by the Split Rock Male. The Styx Pride again devoted a lot of time to following the large herd of buffalo in July, but could not follow up on their June success, and were generally repelled by the large bovids.
Photograph by ranger Wesley Neuman
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The sad, yet expected death of the younger Split Rock Male may have dire consequences for the survival of the cubs, as well as the general stability of the Styx Pride. With only one male lion controlling the Styx Pride’s territory, nomadic young males may pose a serious threat to these youngsters in the coming months. However, despite their reputation as poor mothers, the Styx Pride lionesses are hard lions, and in their proud past, these lionesses have been seen to band together to repel strange males from their cubs. Time will tell as to the fate of these youngsters, as well as the future of the remaining Split Rock Male and his association with the Styx Pride.
Photograph by ranger Greg Coates
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June 2006
STYX PRIDE = 7
2 ADULT FEMALES *10 YEARS 10 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE *5 YEARS 2 MONTH
1 ADULT FEMALE *4 YEARS 3 MONTHS
2 SUB ADULT FEMALES * 3 YEARS 10 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE *2 YEARS 8 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALAMALA |
The Styx Pride had a great month and provided some fine viewing as usual. They were seen frequently and as usual were mainly accompanied by one of the Split Rock Males. All the lionesses are in excellent condition, and they certainly found enough to eat during June. At the start of this report period the pride, along with the males, killed two nyala bulls in one go near the new airstrip late in the evening.
Photograph by ranger Wesley Neuman
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However, the best sighting of this pride during this report period occurred on the 9 th of June when they were tracked down during the morning drive. The lions looked lean, and at sunset the pride got active. Not long after sunset they came across a lone buffalo bull, surrounded it and with the help of the Split Rock Male, killed it. They then chased off one of the Eyrefield lionesses that had come to investigate and fed from their kill over the next two days. As usual one of the lionesses from this pride spent much time around Campbell Koppies, at times she was seen to ascend the koppie and call for cubs, although none were seen. Then midway through the month another of the Styx Lionesses was seen descending from Campbell Koppies after being absent from the pride for some time and she too was lactating. These two lionesses hunted together towards the latter parts of the month, killing an impala ram on one occasion, before returning to the koppies. So things look good for this pride with potentially two litters of cubs on Campbell Koppies. The rest of the pride stayed in and around this area, hunting and killing on a regular basis.
Photograph by ranger Johno Bailey
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May 2006
STYX PRIDE = 7
2 ADULT FEMALES *10 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE *5 YEARS 1 MONTH
1 ADULT FEMALE *4 YEARS 2 MONTHS
2 SUB ADULT FEMALES *2 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE *2 YEARS 7 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALAMALA
The Styx Pride had a great month and provided some fine viewing as usual. These lions were seen on 19 different occasions, and most of the time with the four-year-old either absent from the pride, or viewed alone. When seen, either all together or by themselves, they were, most of the time, accompanied by the Split Rock Males. |
As with last month, one of the Styx lionesses was seen alone for long periods of the month around the Campbell Koppies area. On the very last day of April this lone lioness was seen on top of Stwise, another koppie close to Campbell Koppies, where she has been spending a lot of her time. This lioness was frequently seen in May, most of the time alone and in the Piccadilly area. She was not seen to have any success in hunting this month when viewed, but one will recall last month she was successful on two attempts when alone, and she certainly didn’t go hungry or lose condition whilst away from her pride. Then midway through the month the whole pride was found on a sub adult rhino carcass close to Rattray’s Camp on the Western Bank of the Sand River . How the rhino died is still a mystery, but there is a strong feeling that the lions had in fact killed the young rhino, which had been seen limping and alone in the area for a few days prior to this. The lions fed from this rhino for 2 days, and even with the Split Rock Males present finished the meal in record time. On the third morning the pride abandoned the carcass and headed straight to the Sand River.
Styx Lioness - Photographed by ranger Devon Myers
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After crossing the still swollen Sand River in spectacular style, the lions rested for the entire day and evening on the banks of the Sand River , still very full and fat from their rhino meal. The following day the pride, with the exception of one lioness, was found in the very northern parts of the reserve. (The following day the lone lioness was seen on top of Campbell Koppies, she could very well have been scouting around for a place to give birth.) This would explain her absence from the main pride in recent days and her strong presence around the Campbell Koppies/Picadilly area. The Styx Pride have for many years used Campbell Koppies as a site to raise young cubs, this female almost certainly having been stashed there at some point when she was young. So once again the future of the Styx Pride is looking very positive, with perhaps some cubs due in the forthcoming months.
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April 2006
STYX PRIDE = 7
2 ADULT FEMALES *10 YEARS 8 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE *5 YEARS
1 ADULT FEMALE *4 YEARS 1 MONTH
2 SUB ADULT FEMALES *2 YEARS 8 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 2 YEARS 6 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALA MALA
The Styx Pride was again somewhat fragmented in April. Most of the sightings were restricted to the north-western parts of the reserve, as the Styx Pride failed to push as far south as normal. As in March, a unit of this pride consisting of the three sub adults and two lionesses were seen together, often with the younger Split Rock Male. Early in the game report period, these five members of the Styx Pride were found feeding on an adult male wildebeest, south of the Old Borehole. Despite the inexperience of the sub-adults, this group none the less appears to be doing very well as a hunting unit, with the two adult lionesses providing for all. Interestingly, these lions encountered a pangolin at Fourways Open Area one night. As is to be expected, the youngsters tried in vain to kill the little anteater, but soon gave up and left the rare creature to itself. |
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One night towards the middle of the game report period, these same five members of the Styx Pride were seen chasing two unidentified lions south of the Eastern Ramp. It is not known which lionesses these were. Two nervous, unknown lionesses were seen not far north from the area in the morning, and were undoubtedly the lions in question. The Styx Pride had no problems dealing with the newcomers, and subsequent roaring seemed to reinforce the victory as these two unidentified lionesses, who had been seen on two successive days prior to the fight, were not seen again. |
In what was a very strange month for the 5-year-old lioness of the Styx Pride, she was always seen with the older Split Rock Male, and never with any Styx Pride members. This lion pairing dominated the lion viewing in the north of the reserve, and were seen 12 times. Towards the end of the game report period, the younger Split Rock Male accompanied this pair. All through the month, the older Split Rock Male showed great interest in this lioness as though she was in oestrus, and guarded her closely. However, she did not reciprocate, and was generally aggressive toward the male lion. On numerous occasions, she appeared to be trying to evade the older Split Rock Male. However, this was all to no avail, as the determined old male constantly kept up with her. Towards the middle of the game report period, this lioness and both Split Rock Males were found very well fed on the middle reaches of the Matshapiri River . However, this did not deter the lioness from moving north to the Picadilly region and taking advantage of the reduced vigilance of some rutting male impalas. She killed two adult male impalas on consecutive days in the Picadilly region, one in broad daylight. At this time of the year, these male antelopes are obsessed with the priority of trying to establish territories and acquiring a herd of females with which to mate over the next few weeks. As a result of this, their vigilance is much reduced as they fight and chase each other around. Experienced predators take advantage of this, and a glance at the kills analysis will show that both the lions, leopards and cheetahs of Mala Mala have killed a very high proportion of male impalas over this game report period. After killing both these male impalas, the older Split Rock Male and the Styx lioness fed very leisurely on the carcasses, and in fact, both were still feeding on the kills the next day, which is rare for lions with such a relatively small prey species. Towards the end of the game report period, this trio of lions treed the Manyeleti Male Leopard, and discovered his impala kill at the base of a Jackalberry tree. Whilst the older Split Rock Male hung back from this kill and allowed the lioness to feed (which is in itself very odd behaviour), the younger male approached the carcass. A terrific tussle ensued between the two male lions, in which the younger Split Rock Male received quite a beating, and received a nasty cut below the eye.
Right towards the end of the game report period, the older Split Rock Male eventually had his way with this lioness, and mated with her twice, before she returned to her aggressive ways and denied him any further mating. Obviously, no conception will occur with such a low intensity mating, and no cubs will be expected from this mating.
It will be interesting to see if this fragmented pride structure will persist in May, as the Eyrefield Pride appear to consolidate their position on central Mala Mala, an area dominated in recent times by the Styx Pride.
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March 2006
STYX PRIDE = 7
2 ADULT FEMALES * 10 YEARS 7 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 11 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS
2 SUB ADULT FEMALES * 2 YEARS 7 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 2 YEARS 5 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALA MALA |
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The March game report period was not a particularly exciting one for the Styx Pride. While not seen as often as in the past, the Styx Pride still provided steady viewing in the northern parts of Mala Mala (13 sightings). The pride covered a fair amount of ground, going as far south as the Zebra Skull area. The pride was somewhat fragmented towards the end of the game report period, with the two older lionesses separating from the rest of the pride. The older Split Rock Male lion accompanied these older lionesses, while the younger male joined the other five pride members. However, this is nothing abnormal and is to be expected in lion pride dynamics. Towards the end of the game report period, these fragmented groups of females were normally seen with one of the Split Rock Males.
Early in the game report period, the young four-year-old lioness of the Styx Pride was seen often in the area of Campbell Koppies, while the rest of the pride was not seen in the area. It is possible that this young lioness was the one who had cubs in the area earlier, but lost them (as mentioned in the last game report) and was again investigating the area in the hope of finding live cubs. While alone in this area, she had a brief interaction with a family of cheetahs. However, it was over before it really started, with all the cheetahs fleeing at high speed upon being charged by the lioness. Incidentally, the rest of the Styx Pride chased these same cheetahs four days later at Mlowathi Dam. Cheetahs really do have a hard time of it and are no match for any of the other large predators. After spending three days in the Campbell Koppies area, she struck off north to search for the rest of her pride. While being followed on this venture, this single lioness was seen to catch and devour a juvenile impala at Senegal Bush. No doubt she would have been happy to be alone at this time as such a small prey item would not go far amongst a pride of lions. |
Despite the apparent loss of more cubs, the Styx Pride generally appears well. All four lionesses are in superb condition and the sub adults of the pride are growing steadily. These youngsters have been providing great entertainment, as the exuberance of youth has not yet left them. Their boisterous play is delightful to watch, with many great opportunities for photography being provided. |
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February 2006
STYX PRIDE = 7
2 FEMALES aged between * 10 YEARS 4 MONTHS & 10 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 10 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 12 MONTHS
2 FEMALE CUBS * 30 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 29 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALA MALA
It would seem as though the Styx pride have done it again. Their absence from Mala Mala for almost half of February (only seen on 15 days) and in particular, their absence from the area of Campbell Koppies, suggests that their cubs have died. This is their fifth litter to have died in the last one and a half years and although lion cubs are expendable in times of environmental stress, this cannot be attributed to the loss of this litter as the good rains have provided plenty for all. Perhaps bad parenting is the cause once again. The expendability of the cubs is reiterated by the fact that both the Split Rock Males were seen mating with members of the Styx Pride on four occasions, suggesting the possibility of a new litter in the near future. One hopes that the Styx Pride will fair better if another litter is in fact born.
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STYX PRIDE = 7
2 FEMALES these 2 lionesses aged between * 10 YEARS 3 MONTHS & 10 YEARS 8 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 11 MONTHS
2 FEMALE CUBS * 29 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 27 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALA MALA
The Styx pride spent the whole of January, apart from two days, on northern Mala Mala. One of the females was still lactating and frequenting Campbell Koppies, suggesting that she still has small cubs in that area. This pride managed to kill a buffalo cow and its calf, where the Split Rock Males no doubt played an important role in the success of this particular hunt. The youngest adult female was also seen mating with the older Split Rock male on four consecutive days. |
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December 2005
STYX PRIDE = 7
2 FEMALES these 2 lionesses aged between * 10 YEARS 2 MONTHS & 10 YEARS 7 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 8 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 10 MONTHS
2 FEMALE CUBS * 28 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 26 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALA MALA
The Styx pride spent a lot of time on Mala Mala in December and, as in November, most sightings occurred in the northern parts of the reserve. Two of the lionesses were seen to be lactating and the pride was also seen climbing Campbell Koppies and Stwise on a number of occasions. This activity suggested that at least one of the lionesses had cubs in the vicinity and all anticipated the first sighting of these youngsters. However, some very strange activity was observed one night when rangers followed the pride to Campbell Koppies where one of the pregnant females gave birth to a stillborn cub on the road and the other pride members proceeded to eat the cub. Subsequent sightings found the pride still frequenting the area of Campbell Koppies as well as one lioness spending a lot of time away from the pride. This increases the hope that the pride still has cubs in the area and that the notoriously bad mothers of the Styx pride will be successful this time having lost all of the cubs from their last three litters.
Other memorable sightings of the Styx pride included them chasing both the Ngoboswan female leopard and the Manyeleti male leopard up trees on different occasions as well as the lactating female climbing a rather unsteady Jakkalberry tree and stealing a stashed baby impala kill made by the Kikilezi female leopard. These lions were also seen catching 2 juvenile impala on the night of the 5th December as well as chasing and being chased by the large herd of buffalo.
The Split Rock males were seen in the company of the Styx pride on a number of occasions and some courting activity was observed between the oldest Split Rock male and the youngest adult lioness. No actual mating occurred though. These male lions were also present during three kills made by the Styx pride including 2 buffaloes as well as a wildebeest.
For those enthusiastic followers of the game report, it is noticeable that the Styx pride now only consists of 7 lionesses. The old, injured lioness has died, bringing to an end of what seemed to be a long struggle for survival. Her body was found at the site of the wildebeest kill on the 21 December in which the whole pride as well as the Split Rock males had participated. When the kill was finished and the pride moved off, it was evident that she was dead when she did not follow. The pride seemed unconcerned, leaving without any sign of remorse for their fallen family member. It is not clear how she died but their was some aggression between the Split Rock males and the lionesses while competing for the kill and it is possible that she was too slow in avoiding the wrath of these ruthless kings. It was also evident that the large herd of buffalo had moved through the area during the time that the lions were on the kill and the injured lioness may have been unfit to escape the sweet revenge of her age old enemies.
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November 2005
STYX PRIDE = 8
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 10 YEARS 1 MONTHS & 10 YEARS 7 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 7 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 9 MONTHS
2 FEMALE CUBS * 27 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 25 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALA MALA
Most sightings of the Styx Pride were concentrated in the northern parts of the reserve in November. Apart from a few instances when either the injured lioness or one of the other adults was seen alone, most sightings of the Styx Pride were of all eight members together. For most of the month, these lions were not accompanied by the Split Rock Males. |
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Two kills were witnessed to be made by the Styx Pride. One of these was an adult wildebeest, killed towards the end of an evening game drive, right in the open, in close proximity to a single vehicle. On that occasion, two of the lionesses were not present, but the Split Rock Males were with the pride, and played a major role in bringing the wildebeest to the ground. By early the following morning, there was nothing left of the kill. The other kill was an adult male nyala, killed in daylight. |
The injured lioness is still battling along with her bad leg, but has been able to keep up with the pride. The three youngest females of the pride are growing fast, and are beginning to participate enthusiastically in the hunts. They still have to hone their skills, however!
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October 2005
STYX PRIDE = 8
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 10 YEARS 0 MONTHS & 10 YEARS 6 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 6 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 8 MONTHS
2 FEMALE CUBS * 26 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 24 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
The Styx Pride dominated the lion viewing on Mala Mala in October. Members of this popular pride were seen on no fewer than 25 days during this game report period. Predictably, many of the sightings were along the Sand River , but a look at the map will show that they were also sighted quite far afield on occasions. The lionesses were seen to make a couple of kills, but the pride also scavenged from at least two large carcasses, one of them being a white rhino bull and the other a buffalo cow. The rhino was believed to have died from wounds sustained in a fight, and the lions were drawn to its carcass by vulture activity spotted from a good few kilometres off. The two Split Rock Males joined them on this feast, and also on the buffalo carcass that the lions found. |
For most of the month, the members of the Styx Pride were not all seen together. Two of the females, including the one with the injured hind leg, were sometimes away from the rest of the pride. One of the lionesses, apparently the four-and-a-half year old, was courting the older of the Split Rock Males for a few days, but no mating was seen to take place. This lioness then moved off with the younger Split Rock Male and mating was witnessed. |
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The lions were often seen quite close to Mala Mala Main Camp and one morning, early, guests having coffee on the deck were able to watch these lions feeding on a freshly killed nyala bull in front of the swimming pool!
The three female cubs of the pride are doing well and fast approaching sub-adulthood. This bodes well for the future of this very strong pride of lions, even if the Split Rock Males do not hold onto their territory for too much longer. For the time being these two males are still in control of Styx Pride territory and the Styx Pride should continue to thrive during this period of stability.
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September 2005
STYX PRIDE = 8
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 9 YEARS 11 MONTHS & 10 YEARS 5 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 5 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 7 MONTHS
2 FEMALE CUBS * 25 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 23 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
The Styx Pride again provided a good deal of fine viewing during the September game report period. Many of the sightings were of just part of the pride, and on some occasions, one or both of the Split Rock Males accompanied them. At the beginning of the game report period, some mating activity was witnessed, this involving two of the lionesses and both of the Split Rock Males, a few days apart. A couple of morning kills were witnessed early in the month, these being close to the confluence of the Manyeleti and Sand rivers, where a bushbuck and an impala were killed on successive mornings. Entertaining viewing was enjoyed when the pride discovered a pangolin to the south of Campbell Koppies, and the younger pride members spent hours trying to work out how to open up this armour-plated insectivore! Eventually, the lions gave up, and the pangolin was finally left in peace. |
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On one occasion, the Styx Pride killed and ate an adult zebra towards the eastern parts of the reserve on Flockfield, but as soon as they had finished feeding on this large kill, they headed directly to the Sand River for a drink.
Many of the sightings of the Styx Pride were concentrated along the Sand River , some of them in Eyrefield Pride territory, but a look at the map will show that they ventured quite far afield at times. |
The well-known “injured lioness” of the Styx Pride continues to get around, and must be admired for her sheer determination. A second lioness of the pride received some nasty bites, presumably from another lion, to her front leg, just above the foot, and hobbled around for a few days, but made good progress. The three cubs of the pride all seem to be doing really well.
At the end of the game report period, two of the lionesses (adult and sub-adult), discovered the remains of an impala carcass high up in the branches of an umbrella thorn tree, just across the Sand River from Mala Mala Main Camp, and they provided humorous viewing when they climbed the tree to get to the carcass. Only one lioness at a time climbed the tree, but they both succeeded in reaching the seemingly inaccessible leopard’s kill, feeding on it in the tree, and then making a somewhat undignified descent from their rather awkward feeding spot!
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August 2005
STYX PRIDE = 8
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 9 YEARS 10 MONTHS & 10 YEARS 4 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 4 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 6 MONTHS
2 FEMALE CUBS * 24 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 22 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
The Styx Pride once again provided some good viewing in August, and in the majority of sightings, all eight members of the pride were together. The injured lioness continues to soldier on gamely, but is understandably reluctant to get into the thick of things, when the action “hots up”. The three cubs are all doing quite well, and are beginning to show some signs of participating in hunting. A look at the map will show that the Styx Pride again covered a fair amount of territory. They were found on just one kill in August, that being an adult zebra. This kill was discovered the morning after it happened, and much of the carcass had already been eaten. A number of herds of elephants moved into the area of the kill, and some of the elephants showed great interest in the carcass, sniffing it and spending a good deal of time close to it. The elephants had earlier angrily chased the lions away from the carcass, and for three or more hours, the lions waited in the shade of small bushes and long grass, until the elephants had cleared off. |
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On two occasions, the Styx Pride and the Eyrefield Pride were seen to come into contact, and they clashed. The first clash took place close to Flockfield Boma Crossing, when all 8 members of the Styx Pride, having spent the day resting at the confluence of the Matshapiri and the Sand Rivers , moved south and came upon several of the Eyrefield Pride members on the western bank of the Sand River . Both prides were active at the time, and some of the lionesses had spread out, as they often do when on the hunt. One of the Eyrefield Pride females saw a lioness lying down to her north, and seemed to think it was one of her own pride. She walked straight to that lioness, as if to go and greet her, and only after a couple of seconds, did both lionesses realise that they were not of the same pride! The Eyrefield lioness had walked up to the injured Styx lioness. There was a brief, noisy exchange, and for a few minutes, lions from both prides were running around, roaring. As was the case once before, the injured lioness and the three cubs of the Styx Pride moved well clear of the action, and did not take an active part in the exchange. The noise attracted the attention of 5 or 6 of the Eyrefield Males, who suddenly appeared on the scene, and chased the Styx Pride north and west. There were no casualties, but it was apparent that the Eyrefield Pride had the upper hand, especially once all the males arrived.
The second clash again favoured the Eyrefield Pride, even though it took place closer to the heart of the Styx Pride’s territory. This time, however, there were only 5 members of the Styx Pride present, including the injured lioness and the three cubs, and they were faced with 8 Eyrefield Pride members, including two young males. The exchange took place on the eastern flood plain opposite the camp, and in the Picadilly area. The Styx Pride quickly retreated northwards, and then settled down in the vicinity of Mlowathi Koppies, where they called repeatedly, perhaps hoping to link up with other pride members.
The Split Rock Males spent some of their time with Styx Pride members in August, and some mating did take place. Time will tell if anything comes of this mating.
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July 2005
STYX PRIDE = 8
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 9 YEARS 9 MONTHS & 10 YEARS 3 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 3 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 5 MONTHS
2 FEMALE CUBS * 23 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 21 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MARTHLY, MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD |
Although not seen quite as frequently in July as in earlier months this year, the Styx Pride still provided some very good viewing. For the most part, all eight members of the pride were seen together, and in the majority of sightings, they were not accompanied by the Split Rock Males.
Late in the game report period, the young lioness was seen to be mating with the older of the two Split Rock Males. Her mother (the injured lioness) remained with the mating pair. |
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The injury that has plagued one of the lionesses for over two years now, is still bothering her, and will never heal completely. However, her mobility seems to have improved considerably, and she has been able to keep up with the rest of the pride and participate actively in hunting.
The Styx Pride fed well in July, with all pride members being present on two zebra kills and a male kudu kill. These lions also covered a fairly large area over the course of the month. |
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June 2005
STYX PRIDE = 8
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 9 YEARS 8 MONTHS & 10 YEARS 2 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 2 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 4 MONTHS
2 FEMALE CUBS * 22 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 20 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
It seems almost certain now that the little male cub of the Styx Pride, last seen with the rest of the pride near Clarendon Dam several weeks ago, has died. He would have only been about 5 months old now, and odds were always going to be against him surviving.
As for the rest of the pride, all seem to be in good health. The adult lioness with the injured hind leg still battles along gamely, sometimes appearing to be in very little discomfort. Her leg will never heal completely, but she is able to put weight on it, and at times walks almost normally. There are days, however, when she decides not to move with the pride, but so far she has always managed to link up with them again at a later stage. |
At the beginning of the game report period, the Styx Pride ventured way down south towards the middle reaches of the Chellahanga. They have been even further south in the past, but over the last syear or two, the Chellahanga has been considered to be Windmill Pride territory. The day after they had been far south, the Styx Pride killed a large male buffalo, probably from a small group of bulls, on central Flockfield. This kill kept them busy for a couple of days, and they did not have to share it with the Split Rock Males or any other lions. Two days after the kill had taken place, a couple of buffalo bulls approached the scene, and there was tense interaction between the buffaloes and a couple of the lionesses. This provided entertaining viewing for many minutes, before the buffaloes decided to move on. By the next day, the Styx Pride had been joined by the two Split Rock Males, and all these lions moved north and west, crossing over the Sand River. |
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The next evening, all eight Styx Pride members and the two Split Rock Males were found close to the airstrip. That evening, a large herd of buffalo approached the airstrip, and in due course, drama unfolded. A few of the large buffalo bulls drifted a short distance from the rest of the herd, and the lionesses saw their chance. They ran in after the buffalo, and were very quickly onto one of the bulls. At least three lionesses were on his back at one stage, but the buffalo, bellowing hard, ran back into the rest of the herd, dragging the lionesses along. The rest of the buffaloes reacted smartly, and came to meet the troubled bull and his assailants. Very quickly the tide turned, and it was the buffaloes that were chasing the lions off! Interestingly, the Split Rock Males did not get involved in this fracas at all. Had they done so, the lions may well have been feeding on another buffalo for the next couple of days. |
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Most of the other sightings of the Styx Pride were without major drama, but at the end of the game report they were found with two unknown lions (a female and a young male), some way to the north and east of Campbell Koppies. They had these other lions cornered and submissive, and there was a good deal of loud, menacing growling, with an occasional really noisy outburst. The noise attracted the attention of the two Split Rock Males from a good couple of kilometres away, and they came running in, roaring, whereupon the unknown lions fled. |
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May 2005
STYX PRIDE = 9
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 9 YEARS 7 MONTHS & 10 YEARS 1 MONTH
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 1 MONTH
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 3 MONTHS
2 FEMALE CUBS * 21 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 19 MONTHS
1 MALE CUB * 4 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
The Styx Pride covered a good deal of ground in May, and made up the bulk of the lion sightings in the north-eastern half of the reserve. The pride members tended to stick together throughout the month, although the small cub was not seen at all during the first 12 days of the game report period. Over the next 12-day period, however, the little youngster was with the pride every time they were seen. Despite having to walk great distances with the pride, the little cub seems to be in excellent condition and high spirits. He has turned out to be quite a character, and gives the older cubs and the lionesses quite a hard time, chewing their ears and tails. He still faces an uphill struggle, but if he can survive the next four or five months, his chances will look bright. |
The lions were seen making three kills in May, two of them being adult wildebeest, and the third an impala. The Split Rock Males were also present when the impala was killed, so this kill did not last long. On only three occasions during the month were the Styx Pride lions seen to be accompanied by one or both Split Rock Males. |
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The injured lioness of the pride did spend a couple of days away from other pride members late in the month, but then rejoined them again. It was believed that her old leg injury gave her some discomfort after she was directly involved in making one of the kills, and that she then decided to rest it, rather than attempt to keep up with the pride. When alone, she gave some good displays of roaring, obviously trying to make contact with the rest of the pride.
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April 2005
STYX PRIDE = 9
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 9 YEARS 6 MONTHS & 10 YEARS 0 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 4 YEARS 0 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 2 MONTHS
2 FEMALE CUBS * 20 MONTHS
1 FEMALE CUB * 18 MONTHS
1 CUB * 3 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MALA MALA, FLOCKFIELD
Once again, the Styx Pride provided some fine viewing during the April game report period. Their movements overlapped significantly with those of some of the Eyrefield Pride members, and a clash was almost inevitable. Indeed, the two prides were seen to come together briefly, early in the game report period. Eight members of the Styx Pride were moving southwards on the western bank of the Sand River on Flockfield. They by-passed a female leopard lying in the grass (incidentally, that leopard made a kill minutes after she had watched the unsuspecting lions walk past her on a road), and came to a clearing where four Eyrefield Pride lionesses were busy hunting some impala and nyala. The two prides moved quickly towards each other, and there was brief mutual sniffing. It took less than a minute for the lions to realise that they were face to face with hostile lions, and there was immediate aggression between the two prides. The injured lioness of the Styx Pride and the three older cubs did not get involved, but rather hung back, while the other four females of the Styx Pride hotly chased the four Eyrefield Pride lionesses south and east. Predictably, there was a fair amount of roaring. There was little doubt that the Styx Pride had had the better of the clash, and although no serious physical fighting was witnessed, the Eyrefield Pride members beat a hasty retreat.
About ten days later, the Styx Pride killed a magnificent waterbuck bull near West Street, and gorged themselves on the flesh. They did not have it all to themselves, however, because as many as ten hyenas lurked in the area, and threatened to claim the kill from the lions. By the second morning, the lions had moved off from the kill, leaving it to the hyenas. A film crew reported that the hyenas had indeed harassed the lions sufficiently during the small hours of the morning, to displace them from the kill.
On 9 April, a tiny cub that had been seen on top of Campbell Koppies several times over earlier weeks, was brought down for the first time, and was totally relaxed in the presence of a Land Rover. The little cub, a male, was used as a plaything by the older cubs of the pride, and was so small that it was unable to see over quite short grass when it moved with the pride. It would call out loudly, and its anxious mother would come to its assistance. It is a pity that there is just one young cub, and odds will again be stacked against this little lion when it comes to trying to compete with the older cubs and adults on kills.
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March 2005
STYX PRIDE = 9
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 9 YEARS 5 MONTHS & 9 YEARS 11 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 11 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 3 YEARS 1 MONTH
2 CUBS * 19 MONTHS
1 CUB * 17 MONTHS
1 CUB * 2 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MALA MALA, EASTERN MARTHLY, NORTHERN FLOCKFIELD |
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The young cub of the Styx Pride that would have been about 4 months old now, has not been seen for several weeks, and is presumed to be dead. There is, however, an even younger cub, which has been seen a couple of times, right on the top of Campbell Koppies. Although viewed from a distance with binoculars, it was clear that the cub was very young, no more than 2 months old. On two occasions, it was seen to climb over its mother and suckle from her, and there was no view of any other cubs. It is a pity that this cub appears to have no litter mates, and it will face an uphill battle. Without wanting to sound negative, odds are stacked against this cub surviving, as it will battle to compete with the older cubs for food, once it starts eating meat. |
The pride continued to dominate the lion viewing on Mala Mala, and certainly delivered some very worthwhile sightings. They were seen to make four kills, three of them being impala and the fourth a male kudu. On several occasions, one of the Split Rock Males was seen with the Styx Pride. The younger Split Rock Male, whose front left leg has been very swollen for a couple of years, and the injured Styx lioness spent a day together on the eastern flood plain of the Sand River near the camp, where they roared repeatedly, but showed no inclination to go anywhere. They may have felt sorry for themselves, but no other lions would feel sorry for them, and it would be in their best interests to join up with their companions as soon as possible, in order to not go hungry! The rear leg of the injured Styx lioness is still stiff and probably quite sore, but she is able to get around admirably, and puts her weight on the bad foot when she walks. Her spirit is strong, and her overall condition is not too bad, so she can be expected to be around for a good long while yet.
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February 2005
STYX PRIDE = 9
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 9 YEARS 4 MONTHS & 9 YEARS 10 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 46 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 36 MONTHS
2 CUBS * 18 MONTHS
1 CUB * 16 MONTHS
1 CUB * 3 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MALA MALA
Early in the month of February, a three-month old cub was seen with the Styx Pride. It had been known that the 46-month old lioness of the pride had given birth, and it was suspected that her litter was a small one. For the next week or so, there were several sightings of this small cub, usually in the vicinity of Campbell Koppies or Mlowathi Koppies. Sometimes only its mother was in attendance, but on a couple of occasions it did accompany the rest of the pride. The Styx Pride lionesses have a history of walking their cubs long distances at quite an early age, which often means that these cubs are smaller than average for their age. More energy is being used up in moving with the pride, rather than in building bodies! |
There were no sightings of this young cub towards the end of this game report period, and the fact that its mother did not generally leave the pride, suggests that the youngster may have perished. It is not unusual for a young lioness to lose her first litter. In fact, harsh though it may sound, it is often better for a mother of a single cub to lose this cub, rather than invest her energies and efforts in trying to raise a single youngster. Perhaps next time she will have a larger litter.
During February, one of the older lionesses of the pride gave birth, probably on top of Campbell Koppies. Of course these cubs have not yet been seen, but she is lactating heavily, and is going about her maternal duties in a normal and responsible manner, as one would expect from an experienced lioness.
Other good news is that the mature lioness with the long-term leg injury is doing well. Although she shall never recover completely, she is walking with less difficulty, regularly putting her weight on the sore leg, and keeping up with the pride. With further use of this bad leg, it should continue to strengthen.
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January 2005
STYX PRIDE = 8
3 FEMALES these 3 lionesses aged between * 9 YEARS 3 MONTHS & 9 YEARS 9 MONTHS
1 ADULT FEMALE * 45 MONTHS
1 SUB ADULT FEMALE * 35 MONTHS
2 CUBS * 17 MONTHS
1 CUB * 15 MONTHS
Location: EYREFIELD, MALA MALA
Once again, the Styx Pride dominated the lion viewing for the month of January. With the exception of the lioness with the injured hind leg, all is well with this popular pride of lions. One lioness is still lactating, and although her cubs have not yet been seen, all indications are that they are still being “housed” on Campbell Koppies, or one of the smaller rocky outcrops in the general vicinity. Another of the adult lionesses of the Styx Pride is now clearly pregnant, and could well give birth during the month of February. The injured lioness battles on gamely, at times putting weight on her bad foot. Her leg has wasted away and is very thin, and chances are that she will never recover. She has shown, however, that she is a tough customer, and she could quite easily survive for several years with such an injury. |
Early in the game report period, all members of the Styx Pride (excepting the new cubs) were seen feeding on a freshly killed wildebeest cow, just to the east of the Mlowathi River, north of Senegal Bush. Windy conditions the previous night had clearly been useful to the lions. A large kill such as this is very helpful to a pride of lions, as it enables all members, including the injured female and the three fast-growing cubs, to eat their fill.
A look at the map will show that the Styx Pride spent most of their time on Mala Mala and Eyrefield, but they did venture down to southern Flockfield as well. This area has in recent years been utilised far more by the Eyrefield Pride, but this latter pride of lions has probably lost a good measure of status in the area, since the death of the West Street Males. |
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Current Lions of Mala Mala:
Lions no longer seen at MalaMala:
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merchants.