Richard de Gouveia from Sabi Sabi reports this morning that one of the Mapogo was seen running at high speed past Earth Lodge, and in hot pursuit were the Kruger Males. The sighting was accompanied by lots of roaring and aggression! It was before game drive, so they were not able to follow immediately. On subsequent follow ups it seems that it was a small altercation with minor injuries.
The fact that the Mapogo lions have now been chased back towards Earth Lodge seems to indicate that they really have nowhere to go anymore, and it is only a matter of time before they face their demise. After being chased today they are now hanging out very close to the edge of the border of the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.
Although we all love the Mapogo I was chatting to a friend of mine, Courteney Blunden, (who used to guide at Lion Sands and who is now the owner of Africa on Foot), and he witnessed the Mapogo establishing their territories in the early days. He mentioned that they were the most vicious, violent lion coalition he has ever seen, and slowly but surely it seems that you reap what you sow! The life of a male lion is not easy!
I was lucky enough to see the Mapogo when I visited Savanna Private Game Reserve, and we came across five of them resting. To come across five males lions lying in the bush, on an open safari 4×4 is intimidating enough and the sighting remains with me today! As a memento I bought the below picture of them drinking at a waterhole and the photo was taken by Paddy Hagelthorn. It is now framed and takes pride of place in my home office!
Long live the Mighty Mapogo!
News flash! Just heard from Mele Andru that apparently the one Mapogo’s testicles have been badly damaged in the fighting this morning. Not good news at all.
