Death of a Legend
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Death of a Legend
Wilderness Safaris new web site is up and there is a news item of interest regarding one of the Duba Boys...
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/ne...?newsItem=4475
Regards, James
http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/ne...?newsItem=4475
Regards, James
#2
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi James.... this is very sad news indeed.... the male who is still alive will find it tough to maintain his territorial rights, maybe parts as indicated have already slipped out of his control.....
Sonali
Sonali
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Sonali,
Yes, it's always a bit sad to lose an animal that so many have seen, photographed and were awed by...
Still, those 2 lions seem to have lived in power for nearly twice as long as is typical for male lions... maybe even longer by some accounts.
It will be interesting to see what develops there now. It would probably be beneficial for the genetic stability of the prides at Duba to see a new male lion(s) somehow make it into the area and take over.
I'm not sure anyone knows whether or not the Skimmer males are descended from the Duba Boys (and related to the mature females) or not, but extended inbreeding is certainly not a good thing.
There have not been many cubs surviving at Duba in the last few years to my knowledge.
James
Yes, it's always a bit sad to lose an animal that so many have seen, photographed and were awed by...
Still, those 2 lions seem to have lived in power for nearly twice as long as is typical for male lions... maybe even longer by some accounts.
It will be interesting to see what develops there now. It would probably be beneficial for the genetic stability of the prides at Duba to see a new male lion(s) somehow make it into the area and take over.
I'm not sure anyone knows whether or not the Skimmer males are descended from the Duba Boys (and related to the mature females) or not, but extended inbreeding is certainly not a good thing.
There have not been many cubs surviving at Duba in the last few years to my knowledge.
James
#5
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Many times I have come to the board a little afraid this news would be there as I opened certain headlines. At 16 years of age the Duba Boys have defied all odds in maintaining a pride so late in life, and in their younger days they mated with and controlled three, possibly even four prides at one time. The most dominant lions I have ever heard of and the first males that I ever saw in person. My living room features a 20 x 30 portrait of my first sighting of the Duba Boys and next to my desk is my favorite picture ever of a Duba Boy entering a channel to swim across after I witnessed both boys run full speed and leap the entire channel (a good 20 feet in width) to see off an enormous male intruder. More inspiring animals I will likely never see.
Thanks for posting the news, I have to go weep now.
Thanks for posting the news, I have to go weep now.
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,339
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm sorry to hear this news...
I never saw the Duba boys, though I would have loved to. I almost included Duba Plains on my last visit but couldn't visit every camp I wanted to visit so this one was dropped.
I have always enjoyed reading about the Duba boys from other Fodorites and also seeing your photos.
Oddly enough, I recorded Relentless Enemies from the TV last week and have it still to watch.
I never saw the Duba boys, though I would have loved to. I almost included Duba Plains on my last visit but couldn't visit every camp I wanted to visit so this one was dropped.
I have always enjoyed reading about the Duba boys from other Fodorites and also seeing your photos.
Oddly enough, I recorded Relentless Enemies from the TV last week and have it still to watch.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My husband and I spent an awesome 5 days with the Duba Boys (and James 007)in June 2006. Like Predator Biologist, I also have photos up in our house of the Boys. But lately I had this feeling I would be seeing this post soon. Amazing that they lastest as long as they did.
Vivid memories of those 5 days with the Boys.....we had been following the Tsaro females as they followed the herd, and we had seen the Boys heading off in the opposite direction, so once the Tsaro Ladies decided to take a break, we pulled away a safe distance for a bush break. We were alone in the jeep with James, and there were 2 other jeeps 150 metres away or so. James checked the bushes to make sure we were safe, and after we got back to the jeep, James had his turn. As I was sitting there fiddling with my camera, something (a feeling) made me turn around and look behind us. There, peaking out from behind a bush about 100 metres away was one of the boys. "James", I called, "one of the Duba Boys is watching us." Keeping an eye on him, James got back in the jeep, radioed the others, and then quickly positioned our jeep between the Duba Boy and the other jeeps, as those guides rounded everyone up. As we pulled the jeep into position, we could see that both Boys were behind the bush. But somehow, and I am sure that I am oversimplifying it, the look on the Boy's face when I first saw him peaking at us seemed more curious than threatening. After all, it isn't very often that they would actually see people outside of the jeep. A little while later, we watched as the Boys and the females reunited with the usual warm greetings and cheek-rubbing.
Many many great pictures of the Boys sitting in the morning light, full manes blowing.
The end of an era.
Vivid memories of those 5 days with the Boys.....we had been following the Tsaro females as they followed the herd, and we had seen the Boys heading off in the opposite direction, so once the Tsaro Ladies decided to take a break, we pulled away a safe distance for a bush break. We were alone in the jeep with James, and there were 2 other jeeps 150 metres away or so. James checked the bushes to make sure we were safe, and after we got back to the jeep, James had his turn. As I was sitting there fiddling with my camera, something (a feeling) made me turn around and look behind us. There, peaking out from behind a bush about 100 metres away was one of the boys. "James", I called, "one of the Duba Boys is watching us." Keeping an eye on him, James got back in the jeep, radioed the others, and then quickly positioned our jeep between the Duba Boy and the other jeeps, as those guides rounded everyone up. As we pulled the jeep into position, we could see that both Boys were behind the bush. But somehow, and I am sure that I am oversimplifying it, the look on the Boy's face when I first saw him peaking at us seemed more curious than threatening. After all, it isn't very often that they would actually see people outside of the jeep. A little while later, we watched as the Boys and the females reunited with the usual warm greetings and cheek-rubbing.
Many many great pictures of the Boys sitting in the morning light, full manes blowing.
The end of an era.
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks for posting James. i knew the day would come and i have been surprised how long they lasted as when we saw the brothers back in sep 06 their teeth were so worn down they had to let the females open the buffalo carcus to eat. still a sad day though and duba will never be the same.
#11
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, James ...... sad to hear, but, they have had their reign at the top for a long time. It will be interesting to watch the pride dynamics now.
Any idea about the whereabouts of the Skimmer pride in recent months?
Cheers
Hari
Any idea about the whereabouts of the Skimmer pride in recent months?
Cheers
Hari
#12
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just returned from a 4 night stay at Duba Plains, and according to everyone there, the death of the Duba brother may have had a serious impact on the whole lion dynamic in the area. After his death, the main pride was not seen for nearly two weeks. Only on our last day there did we finally see four members of the pride: Junior, Silver Eye, and two other females. The Skimmer pride has been nowhere to be seen.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Hari,
Not too sure what the cheetahs will be eating at Duba...
there aren't any impala at Duba and lechwe are not a staple diet for chettahs really.
The lions will stay there, it's just that the loss of their dominant male(s) will cause a temporary disruption.
I really hope that new males will somehow make it into the area now.
James
Not too sure what the cheetahs will be eating at Duba...
there aren't any impala at Duba and lechwe are not a staple diet for chettahs really.
The lions will stay there, it's just that the loss of their dominant male(s) will cause a temporary disruption.
I really hope that new males will somehow make it into the area now.
James
#16
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As long as there is a buffalo herd of 1,000 circling around Duba will continue to support lions. When I was at Mapula lions we were tracking had crossed over to the Duba Plains concession. I don't think it will be too long before some males realize there is an opportunity to be had.
#18
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
For Hari...
Apologies James, for further hijacking this thread, but Hari -- for only USD 2.99 you can now download a cell phone ring tone of a Cheetah purring and the cost benefits the U.S. National Zoo in Washington, DC, a part of the Smithsonian Institution (I'm geting mine...). Details here: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Support/Ringtones/
Cheers!
Apologies James, for further hijacking this thread, but Hari -- for only USD 2.99 you can now download a cell phone ring tone of a Cheetah purring and the cost benefits the U.S. National Zoo in Washington, DC, a part of the Smithsonian Institution (I'm geting mine...). Details here: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Support/Ringtones/
Cheers!
#19
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Lynn,
Sorry have been busy after MM and haven't posted in a while ..... yes back home. They have lion cubs all over the place at the moment and not to forget that Giant kingfisher on the bridge.
Rick: Thanks for this and you bet i will download it ....
Cheers
Hari
Sorry have been busy after MM and haven't posted in a while ..... yes back home. They have lion cubs all over the place at the moment and not to forget that Giant kingfisher on the bridge.
Rick: Thanks for this and you bet i will download it ....
Cheers
Hari
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
lwinokur
Africa & the Middle East
9
Oct 21st, 2004 05:47 PM