April 2012
- Young Styx Male (1 sighting): This young male was seen from a distance near Clarendon dam and looks to be in good condition.
- Kruger males (0 sightings)
- Young No ID males (1 Sighting): Around the 13th of the month two young unidentified male lions were seen near Ostrich Koppies on a buffalo kill. They were not relaxed at first which could be an indication of them coming from outside of the Sabi Sands area.
March 2012
- Young Styx Male (2 sightings)
On both occasions this young male was seen around Clarendon. The first sighting of him was early on in the month and it must’ve felt like Christmas for him as he’d stumbled upon a rhino carcass. This nomadic male is still some ways from being ready to challenge other males and win over lionesses so for the time being he’ll continue to maintain a low profile and fend for himself.
- Kruger males (2 sightings)
Seen on only two occasions and in both instances they were in the company of the Selati and Charleston prides respectively.
February 2012
January 2012
- Two Kruger National Park males (0 Sightings)
There were no sightings of these males during this month.
- Selati males: (5 Sightings)
These buffalo hunting specialists yet again took down an impressive buffalo cow around the Sand River and Rock Drift Donga. They spent at least three days there polishing off the carcass. The Selati males did venture north again this month, and attracted the attention of the Manyelethi males around the Windmill. There was no evidence of the two prides interacting however.
December 2011
- Two Kruger National Park males (2 Sightings)
Seen only twice during the report period. Once at Rocky crossing and then once in Jakkalsdraai open area. They probably ventured this far north to try and look for the Selati males.
- Selati males: (6 Sightings)
These young brutes are seemingly enjoying the quieter territories of Charleston, making full use of this area of the reserve. They were seen in Ingwe donga and then as far north as Sable road. Not many dominant male lions make their way into this area so it is a haven for young males. They made good use of the buffalo population in this area, killing at least two, a large female and a calf.
November 2011
A return! We saw this young male only once during the report period. He was in the northern reaches of the Matshipiri River when we found him, and from the outset appeared to be very anxious. Calling softly, he kept his nose to the ground as he followed the scent trail of other lions. He eventually ran into the Fourways pride, but they did not take kindly to his presence. The lionesses gave him a few cuffs with their paws and some aggressive bites to the back of his neck. This did not perturb him in the slightest though, as he proceeded to follow the pride for the rest of the morning. This was the only sighting of this youngster for the month.
- Unidentified pride: (1 Sighting)
Charleston produces once again. This area of the reserve often has new lions coming through. This pride consisted of two lionesses, one of which had a collar on, and four young males. They were on the tracks of a herd of buffalo but were not seen to get within range of the herd. All the lions within the pride were very relaxed in the presence of the Land Rovers.
- Selati males: (4 Sightings)
These young males seem to have made Charleston their home. The presence of a large herd of buffalo and very little competition from older males in this area has certainly had an influence on their movements during the month. We had a great sighting of them catching a buffalo bull.
October 2011
- Unidentified Male lion: (1 Sighting)
A large unidentified male lion was seen chasing the young Styx male off his buffalo kill near Clarendon Dam. He stuck around for a few days until the carcass was finished, before heading back north.
- Young Styx Male lion: (1 Sighting)
This young male is in fair condition in spite of having lost some of his mane and acquiring a few new scars on his face. This is a good indication that he’s standing his ground with the older males. One can only hope for the best for this young male in the upcoming months.
September 2011
Two Unidentified males ( 1 sighting)
On the last day of the report period these two males - approximately five years of age - were found on Matshipiri Dam road. Where they came from, or where they subsequently went, we have no idea. Both of them were in beautiful condition, with big bodies, but undeveloped manes. One wonders if these two males could be the catalyst for the downfall of the Manyelethi coalition?
August 2011
Two Kruger males ( 3 sightings)
These are the two news males that have taken over the Charleston pride. We saw them for the very first time at the beginning of the month. The two males are prime adults with thick, fully developed black manes. The bigger male has a badly injured left leg that he can't use at all, but aside from that he seems to be in great condition. He was feeding with the Charleston pride on the buffalo kill, so at least food isn't a problem for him. The second male is slightly smaller, but equally relaxed. He has nothing wrong with him, and is quite clearly in the prime of his life. These two males were first found close to the Charleston Flockfield boundary, which is way out of their normal territory. Perhaps they are looking to expand. Let's hope so.