The 4 Selati males have been on the scent of the Ximhungwe pride for over a week! What they didn’t bargain on was the maternal instinct and teamwork of 4 united lionesses that are prepared to put it all on the line to protect their cubs.
3 nights ago both the males and lionesses were within 2 kilometers of each other far up in the north. During the night the lionesses must have picked up the males in hot pursuit and high tailed it south for over 10 kilometers.
In the morning the lionesses were located right on the southern fence line with their 4 exhausted cubs trotting heavy legged behind them.
One of the males hadn‘t given up while his weary brothers couldn‘t take the pace. He was very close, within 500m of them and it was remarkable to observe his acute sense of smell as he trailed them until he finally caught sight of them.
The lionesses were left with no choice and rallied together.
Enjoy the images and video below.
[FMP width=”640″ height=”360″]https://www.leopardhills.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/20120324-Ximhungwe-fight.flv[/FMP]
Pride takeovers are a lengthy sequence of events and the lionesses have won the first battle but we feel a confrontation with all 4 males is inevitable. We will keep you all posted!
great to see the ladies stick together and kick some butt Lets hope they stay safe to rest
That is a serious distance for the cubs to cover, they must be exhausted!! I hope the girls are able to keep them away & aren’t permanently on the run or they are going to run out of steam!!! Keeping fingers crossed. Thanks for the update, awesome pics & footage Dave!!!
Cheers
Drew
Dave,
Can the Ximhungwe pride defeat these males? Do the cubs stand a chance with the takeover. I saw this pride when we were there last year. Thank you for the great photos and updates.
Heather Daly
California
Hi Heather,
The 4 males are collectively way too strong for the 4 lionesses should they meet but maybe they can avoid the males for a while. Time will tell, keep you all posted!
What a courageous effort by the Ladies!! Great photo’s and footage thanks Dave. This episode will continue that we have no doubt. Let’s hope those beautiful cubs are spared….. enter the Mapogo’s is what is now required – age and experience will be met against youth and an extra number. Keep us posted. GO MAPOGO’S!!
Really keen to see the result an amazing experience to have first hand. Cathy
Hell has no fury like a woman scorned raised to the fourth power!
Fantastic set of images Dave. great capture…..well done Patrick Kings Camp
Thank you very much for the unforgetable moment seeing the lionesses win. We cross fingers for the ladies and first of all for the cubs.
Thanks also for the magnificant gamedrives we were alowed to have with you, Dave.
Greetings from Germany (just returned this morning)
Beatrix, Harald, Marianne and Piet
Oh Dave, I sit so far away from you now and wait for another saga post ? hope for good! Keep my fingers crossed for Ladies and their cubs, but on the end we have to accept whatever bush brings!
We saw this pride and spent some special moments observing them just 5 days prior to this episode. I was so worried that they would be defeated and am ecstatic to see their legacy lingers on. Thanks Dave for the wonderful pictures and update.
Kindest Regards
Linda