Another Greek Tradgedy

Just after morning coffee, we decided to slowly make our way back to the lodge. It was already after ten o’clock and started to warm up nicely. Little did we know what was in store for us before breakfast.


Mpho, our wilderness tracker, radioed in that he was with six male lions and they were killing cubs. Six big males together? We knew who these lions were. The Matimba males! They hadn’t been this far north in a very long time so something was definitely up. We briefed the guests on what was happening, explaining that it was a natural occurrence, hoping that the magnitude of what they were about to see, would sink in.

Arriving at the scene, we found two lionesses and one cub, but something was wrong. The cub was struggling to lift itself up. And blood! The Matimba’s had already got to this poor cub. The males were about 50 meters away and the atmosphere was incredibly tense. Then one of the males got up and the females reacted with savage ferocity. They were both eyeing these killers with a well-designed death stare.  Baring their teeth, their message was clear: “Come any closer and you’ll get it!”. These males were old hands and had played this game many times, but these females weren’t going anywhere. All the while, the unfortunate cub was trying to remove itself from this predicament. Its back was broken and no matter how hard it tried, it just couldn’t get away. At least mom and aunt were on the defence!

Lioness baring her teeth defending her helpless cub

The Matimba males moved away, but only about 100 meters. They were ready for the inevitable. The lionesses can’t stay with the cub for long. We followed the males for a while. They lay down in a shady spot not far from the females, comfort achieved, now just waiting. The males went to sleep.

Three of the six Matimba male Lions

Going back to where the females were, we returned to a scene that would melt a stone heart. The mother was grooming the cub, willing it to get up and get away while they still could. The lioness had turned from fierce warrior to concerned mother. With the social bond still strong, she groomed the injured cub. A sad scene re-enacted itself as it had so many times before. We left with a mixed feeling of elation and sadness, a feeling that leaves you confused yet privileged.

 

Mpho stayed with the lionesses for the rest of the day. Later that afternoon the inevitable happened. The instinct of self-preservation took over and the warrior lionesses that had held off six male lions that morning, abandoned the cub. We were getting the updates as it was happening. A few minutes after the females left, the six males approached the cub and within seconds it was over. The biggest male bit and shook the cub, ending the struggle, ending the drama.

Chatting around the campfire later that evening, the shocking truth was revealed. These males had been seen mating with these females last year and this could very well have been their cub.


It made me think of the story of Hercules. According to the myth, Hercules killed his own children in a fit of madness. He then had to perform incredible tasks in order to gain forgiveness. Who knows what feats these males will perform in the years to come?

Darren Roberts-York

All photos and video taken with a Nikon Coolpix P510