selati males4

Mapogo Lion Conquerors doing well – by Brett Thomson

Paddy and the team at Savanna have sent out the below update:

“The lions have enjoyed a successful hunting period, especially the Selati males that have continued their onslaught on the buffalo and managed to bring down two buffalo bulls on separate occasions. This meant that viewing was primarily of them feeding and lazing around the carcasses.

The Ottawa females joined the Selati males at the second kill and the males soon forgot about feeding, as their attention turned to courting. One of the courting pairs displayed some particularly aggressive mating which allowed for some spectacular photography.

Not to be outdone, the lionesses also made substantial kills, with the Ottawa pride killing a female buffalo and the Ximungwe pride killing a large Kudu bull. The Ottawa pride, however, lost most of their kill to a large group of hyenas that drove them off during the night. The Ximungwe pride did not give the hyenas an opportunity, though, as they hastily finished off the carcass, with some frenzied feeding at times. When the pride moved off, only a few scraps remained for a lonely hyena which competed with the numerous vultures that had also accumulated in the area. Amongst the hooded and white-backed vultures, a lappet-faced vulture also made a rare appearance.”

Copyright © Photographs taken by Paddy Hagelthorn, Neil Whyte, David Wilson and Greg Coates

One of the Selati Males at Savanna Private Game Reserve
One of the Selati Males at Savanna Private Game Reserve

 

A Selati Male feeding on a buffalo carcass
A Selati Male feeding on a buffalo carcass

 

Even when it comes time for a little love Male Lions have a hard time!
Even when it comes time for a little love Male Lions have a hard time!

 

A Ximungwe lioness on a kudu kill
The Ximungwe pride killed a kudu bull

 

The location of Savanna within the Sabi Sand. A superb safari lodge with experienced game rangers
The location of Savanna within the Sabi Sand. A superb safari lodge with experienced game rangers