Tintswalo Ranger's Blog: Sightings Update: 22

Well the mornings are getting colder and the rain is gone for the next few months. Winter is fast approaching and we’re looking forward to the oncoming dry season. The grass will start to thin, making our game viewing easier. The big cats will start their season of plenty and by the end of the dry season, territories will be fought for, as prey animals are forced closer to water sources.

There have been several large herds of Buffalo on the reserve and they are in good shape after the rainy season. The Lion population has to first wait for their favourite prey species to weaken as the dry season takes its toll.

Lions

Matimba males

The week started off with one of the blonde Matimba’s venturing north and spending some time with the Koppies females at Zebra pan quarry. He was obviously interested in testing the females and looking for a mating opportunity. His dark maned coalition mates have already beaten him to it a while ago. He spent two days with the girls and was attentive every time they moved.

The dark maned males produced the bulk of the Matimba sightings this week as they continued to explore their new patch. No major drama with these guys, just the consolidation of the territorial take-over.

The big question to ask however, is the territory just getting too big. We have been asked by several people regarding the Skybeds males and what impact we believe they are going to have on the Matimba’s and their ever growing territory. My belief is that they are going to settle in an area that is easier to take over. The basic concept of anything natural is that nature will always find the path of least resistance, and at the moment the Matimba coalition, even though divided and far flung, presents a lot of resistance. I don’t believe that the Skybeds males will challenge for Matimba territory. There must be easier territories to take.

Koppies females

These females moved around quite a bit this week. After spending two days with one of the Matimba’s at Zebra pan quarry, they were seen at Mazambaan corner, moving towards Helens road, with one Matimba not far behind. They moved into thick bush, and we couldn’t follow. They were found again a few days later on Catwalk west and once again the blonde Matimba was with them. Can’t blame a guy for trying!

Nkuhuma pride

We had one fantastic sighting of the three of the females with eight cubs. We don’t know what happened to the other cub, but they seem to be doing well under the protection of the Matimba males.

Eric found them on the morning drive all the way down south. He found them on a Zebra kill very close to Bushbuck dam. This is about 200 meters from our southern boundary, but the fact that they had a kill meant that they were going to be there at least the whole day. So we decided to make our way there in the afternoon. When we arrived they started making their way off the kill. They then moved south towards the dam for a drink.

It’s always such a special sighting, when you get Lion cubs and watching the interaction between the cubs and their mothers.

Leopards

Beacon male

We had one sighting of the Beacon male this week, and Duncan (our relief ranger) was the lucky one. Unfortunately he didn’t have a camera to capture the moment.

Duncan found him on Ngala loop, west of Khoka moya dam. He seems to be favouring this area at the moment and has been found around this area quite frequently in the last few weeks. Duncan mentioned that he stayed with him for half an hour before he moved into a drainage line and couldn’t follow any more.

I think that all Matimba males activity is keeping him west of the dam.

Main dam female’s male cub

This is a character that we are hoping to relax as he is doing the most amazing things at the moment. He seems to be alone and is hanging around the lodge area. What is truly amazing about this young male is that he is only ten months old now and already killing fully grown male Impala. What we think is happening is that he has taken advantage of the rut. We have found him on two separate kills this week but every time we come in with the vehicle he runs off.

At ten months, his confidence may not be what it will be and he leaves the kill. When we try and relocate him on the kill a little later, he has moved it. When we find him on the kill again, he runs off again. And so this little game of cat and mouse (pardon the pun) continues. It’s only a matter of time before he gives in and relaxes. With this start, he is bound to be an incredible character to follow.