Londolozi Casualties
 

One of the Shaws males (Rollercoaster Males in Mala Mala) has been killed by a crocodile:

http://www.rangerdiaries.com/update/

What is also sad news on that report is the end of the crippled elephant. MM put her at twelve years old, we saw her for the first time this year and marvelled at her ability to get along, and how her little nuclear family of mother and siblings all seemed to take care of her.

Oh my gosh. That is tough stuff all around.

This is shocking news - for the lion that was killed, for his coalition male, but most especially for the Eyrefield Pride Lionesses with cubs. They are having a horrific time with their cubs surviving and this will not be helping.

Also reminds me of that horrible sight of a croc with one of the Ngoboswan Female's triplets in its mouth, that poor little male!

I am hoping that the poor crippled ele had a quick death. The bigger she got, the more impossible it would be for her to be moving about. I saw her every trip for the last few years, and it was distressing to see her as I knew she would not be around into adulthood.

Great to hear that the Dudley Female has more cubs.

Kind regards

Kaye

Unbelievable!!! that a croc could take down a male lion that size........

Sorry to hear this info. Hope the other male can survive.

- Granny Joan

I did notice on the Mala Mala website they mentioned the surviving male had moved much further east into their territory (they didn't mention or don't know his brother has been killed). Perhaps a sensible move on his part given the large Mapogo coalition.

This coaltion also killed the Tsalala male earlier this year - so out of three male lions I saw at Londolozi in September, two are dead.

Whoever said it was zoo like?

On a happier note four out of the five leopard cubs I saw then are still alive.

The crippled elephant at Londolozi -- is that the one with the deformed hind leg? WHat an inspiration was that noble beast.

When I was there 2 years ago, my guide (and I can't believe I've forgotten that dear man's name) speculated that he/she would not be able to live many more years -- the animal's legs would not be able to support its weight.

Rizzuto

Yes, the same Elephant as you saw.

Just got an e-mail from Tom, the manager at MM. Mr. Rattray confirmed the Lion was taken in one of the ponds near one of the Londolozi camps. MM last saw the Elephant about 14 days ago and she was very weak.
Lion dynamics are even more screwed up now, with a single male in the north and south. Silver lining - its potentially good news for the 14 wild dog pups. But terrible news for the 6 cubs of the Eyrefield pride.

Hi Gary

Do you know of the young male subadult now being seen with the Tsalala Pride? Read about him on Simbambili game report.

Kind regards

Kaye

Was also wondering about the 6 cubs. Will any be alive when I get there in September?
Can you imagine MM without any lions????? Man would that ever put a twist on things. "Yeah, went to MM and saw lot of leopards but no lions".

regards - tom

Hi Tom

As far as I know, those 6 Eyrefield Pride cubs have not been seen since mid March, 6 seen 9 March and 1 seen a few days later, and none seen since then. When I left the beginning of April I thought that they had died or been killed, as saw the lionesses quite a few times and no babies seen or heard again, though god knows we looked long and hard for them. So I get the feeling you will not be seeing those 6 cubs at all.

Kind regards

Kaye

Kaye,

Have you noticed more Cheetah on their property in recent times, or....more or less the same as always?

Thanks
Hari

Hi Hari

Yes, the last few trips have provided very good cheetah viewing, while 2004/2005 I had no cheetah viewing, or maybe just one.

Kind regards

Kaye

Thanks, Kaye....