By dusk Manyari was still at it. But now there’s a change. Sjambok has allowed his brother to mate with Manyari.
The brother cautiously approached Manyari, who was lying flat out on her side, not sure how she would treat him. She ignored him as he mounted her even with her lying on her side. She didn’t budge and somehow he managed to sneak one it. And surprisingly in the end Manyari seemed to be enjoying it as she was making the normal mating sounds.
Several times the brother mated (or is it rape) with Manyari as she lay on her side.
But when she moved, Sjambok was immediately by her side. She lay down in the normal mating position and Sjambok mated. Manyari rolled over in her usual manner and passed out.
It wasn’t even 2 minutes and the brother again mounted her in this unusual position.
And so the brothers went into the night taking turns. So I suppose not much can be said about Manyari’s character.
Magwaza was lying up with the rest of them and now seemed to be again fully accepted by the pride. She left them soon after dark and headed north into the hills calling softly. No doubt off to suckle her cubs.
The 3 stayed in the hills hunting waterbuck and impala but with no luck. Then thankfully they moved south out of the hills towards the airstrip.
A small herd of wildebeest were grazing and immediately the lions were into hunting mode. They all spread out along the airstrip and then jumped the ambush but the sprung the trap far too early and the wildebeest saw them from a long way off in the open. But the lions gave chase with wildebeest scattering into the surrounding bush. And then somehow out of nowhere right deep in the bush Manyari had pinned down an old wildebeest cow. The males joined her immediately and took over killing the beast.
And so they feasted. Somewhere later in the night Magwaza joined them.
By dawn there was little other than bones left of the carcass.
Only several hours after sunrise, once the thermals had got active and the scavengers took to the skies, did the vultures find the carcass and do the final clean up.
I then took to the skies in search of the Nduna male. He was seen briefly yesterday with a snare around his waste, which we need to take care of before it does him some real damage. I managed to find his pride from the air and hope he’s with them. (I left the park management with the position and they’re following up)
Well, certainly am glad you remembered about Beauty going through many estrus cycles before she became pregnant. Manyari looks to be worn absolutely out. Am amazed Sjambok is right there, but not so much as raised a whisker…. Astounding.
Hurrah for Magwaza. Even if she herself is accepted, will her cubs be safe when they need to be introduced to the pride?
Nduna. So glad to hear of him finally, but not with a snare around him! Three cheers for the ultra-lite and Kim!!! How did the pride look, did you get to see the cubs? Don’t understand how you can fly and film at the same time, but…. Wow! Are the pictures ever amazing!
Yet again, thanks Kim.
b.
Your narration regarding the lions’ mating behavior-enjoying it or not enjoying it,being raped or not being raped, sneaking one in or not sneaking one in-is getting offensive and juvenile and not worthy of you! All of us who love and appreciate animals are guilty of anthropomorphosizing from time to time, but please tone it down. You are at your best when you stick to the facts, which are wonderful enough without embellishments!
Eve
This is all so interesting! A little Pride in the making. I have learned so much, and there are so many questions. Are the brothers making sure that there is no question that the cubs will belong to both or either? Is Mugwasa making sure that her cubs will be accepted? Manyari is most definately the Queen. We already knew that, but it sure seems like this whole thing has been her idea from the beginning. Amazing, when all I ever thought was that a male dominated a bunch of females who did everything he wanted, including hunting, and feeding him. As usual, real life if far, far more complex.
Hi Kim,
Is there an association or group of people where you are that that cleans up snares? It is a pity that Nduna has one.
Ah, but Eve, maybe we are offended by you….
Very great site. I only want to ask, that didnt you make more photos about vultures? Its a very great one with 4 or 5 species together.
Thanks
Z
(from Hungary)
Bonny: One never knows if the males will accept those cubs. but i think they will. Especially now as they’ve been mating with Manyari for some time and so have got that itch out of their system. Although it never really goes!
No I didn’t get to see those other cubs from the air.
Nduna was seen again this morning. They’re hoping to remove this snare this evening.
Cynthia: I don’t think so. Manyari just hasn’t conceived yet. And this is normal mating behaviour for lions, that is the amount of times a day that they do it. But is a little unusual that both brothers are at it ‘together’.
Ivanova: Malilangwe is clean of snares. We have a very effective anti-poaching unit. Nduna picked up that snare when he left the property unfortunately.
Tiski: Yes there were Lappet-faced, White-headed, White-backed and Hooded vultures there.