When I eventually picked up the lions after sunset they’d moved a long way east of where I’d left them but thye still hadn’t joined up with Magwaza.
It was only later in the night that Magwaza arrived on the scene. Sjambok and Manyari greeted her although he didn’t seem too happy to see her.
The girls then settled in for a long social grooming and bonding session. Feeling left out the boys tried to join them but weren’t allowed into the inner circle of girls only.
Until midnight the lions lay around with a brief attempt to look at some giraffe, but having been spotted the lions curled up and went to sleep again.
At least the pride now seemed to be a pride and will hopefully now function as a pride, well that will only last until one of them comes into oestrus again.
Around midnight they did get active, Magwaza taking the lead. She’s the only who hasn’t fed in the last week. The pride headed east hunting. Zebra, impala and giraffe were all potentially on the menu but none of them got close enough to be on the dinner table.
At dawn Magwaza circled wide around a herd of giraffe. Manyari and the boys went straight in at pace not waiting for Magwaza’s moves. They chased the giraffe about 500m before giving up.
Then it was back in search of Magwaza. They didn’t find her but found a young giraffe that got left behind in the last chase. Again they gave chase but it too outran them.
It was only after sunrise that Magwaza came back out from the north to join them.
Sjambok and his brother also spent the night trying to mount Manyari. She would oblige and they would thrust around all over but never getting it right. Manyari just wasn’t cooperating.
Later in the morning Sjambok mounted her again, but no joy. Within seconds of him dismounting his brother took his place and this time got it right. Does this mean Manyari is now in oestrus again and we’re in for the long haul of mating?
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