LIONS - Nkorho & Elephant Plains Area

Split Rock Males aka Marthly Males, Robson Males (Older) at Elephant Plains, West/North Males, Males from the North, & Western Males. The two longest surviving males were also called “Nose” (growth on nose) and “Leg “ (swollen foot).

The Split Rock/Marthly Males started out as a coalition of four. It is believed they were born to the Othawa pride around 1994 per Londolozi. One male was larger and had a more developed mane than the other three. One male was last seen in Feb 2002 looking sickly and scarred. Oct 2003, sightings suggest that only two were still alive. The survivors were the heavy maned one and one of the slightly younger ones.

The two surviving Split Rock males dominated the Styx pride for several years and are said to have sired the 3 youngest Styx pride females born in 2003.

The younger of the two surviving males died on July 8th, 2006 from Bovine TB and an infection from an injury to a hind leg. This sad report was given by Mala Mala: “Then on the 8 th of July this lion was found just south of the causeway close to the Mala Mala Main Camp, lying out on a sandbank. At dusk he raised his head, and after a while tried to rise to his feet. He walked a few yards towards a nearby water hole, had a short drink, but simply did not have the strength to move away again. He collapsed on a rock at around 18:45 and his breathing slowed and eventually stopped.”

With the death of his brother, the oldest was left to carry on and try to protect their young cubs with the Styx pride. By the end of 2006, all their cubs had vanished most likely due to the Roller Coaster males. The Old Split Rock male was last seen with the Styx pride in May 2007.

Once the last Split Rock male was finally ousted by the Roller Coaster males in 2007, he wandered great distances to stay out of the way of the Roller Coaster males. It was reported in September/October 2007 by Mala Mala that he had formed a coalition with another old Kruger male. They joined up with the Charleston pride and the old Split Rock male looking as if his days were numbered was still seen mating with one of the Charleston females.

The two Split Rock males' legacy is carried on by their offspring. Not only did they sire the 3 youngest Styx Pride females, they also fathered the two younger Tsalala adult females and the surviving sub adult male of BB (tailless Tsalala pride lioness). Other cubs from various prides were also sired by the Split Rock males. It is unclear if the two Young Robson Males, known as Stompie and One Eye, were sired by the Older Robson Males/Split Rock Males/Marthly Males but we will update when/if this is confirmed.

It is believed that the last and oldest of the Split Rock Males is dead. The last recorded sighting we have found was at Elephant Plains, November 2007, when an Old lion was observed and it was thought to be the Split Rock male.

In tribute to this old male lion we would like to add this awesome video by Lyndon Firman.

Roar on Old Fella, Roar on!

Tsalala Pride February 2009 & Approximate dates of birth:

BB "Tsalala Mother" - January 1998 (Alive and Well on last reports)

BB's Sub Adult Son “Solo“- July 2005 (Reports indicate Solo is trying to stay clear of the Mapogo Coalition) UPDATE: Mala Mala has reported (Feb 2009) that Solo has been accepted into the Eyrefield Pride. Same Pride the Mapogo/Eyrefield Males originated from.

BB's 1 Cub - Dec 2007/Jan 2008 (Believed Deceased July 2008 - Speculations are some of the Mapogos may have killed the cub though it was thought that one of the Mapogos had indeed sired the cub.)

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BB's 2 Daughters - December 2002 (previously reported born in Dec 2003) - Alive and Well on last report. Possibly with cubs sired by the Mopogos.

6 Cubs - April 2006 (2 males, 1 female) or July 2006 (2 females, 1 male) (5 were reported Deceased by October 2007. Most of the cubs deaths were attributed to the Mapogo Coalition. Last surviving female cub was reported by Elephant Plains as being Dead by September 2008 yet reports from Savanna Lodge June 2008 states she was accepted into the Ximungwe Pride from which the Tsalala pride originated from.)

1 Cub - Feb/Mar 2008 (Deceased)

2009 - Both BB and her Two Daughters may have bore new cubs sired by the Mapogos.

Updated March 2009

Aquila and Karen in VA

Hi Sabine, I don't know any specifics on the pecking order but imagine there is one or certainly will be in time. The oldest (unrelated one) is or was probably the dominant one as he first set out with only two of the oldest related ones back towards the end of 2004. This unrelated male from my readings is a very independent lion and very bold and brave even on his own. I suppose that came from his fending for himself and not really being accepted by the pride he had latched on to. Yet, when the West Street males were dwindled down in numbers and got up in age, it was this youngster that was responsible for many of the kills that helped support the pride.

I've read and heard that several of the related ones seem to have closer bonds to their same age sibling. At some of the kills or kill steals, not all are willing to call the rest of the coalition to dinner or respond to roars by the others that are searching for them. Makes one wonder if in time they will split off in groups of 3 or 2.

As for names, I haven't read of any names the rangers call them but some on a live drive have given nicknames to a few. I think most have heard the two youngest (due to their unique hair dos) called Mr T and T 2. Rather those nicknames will catch on only time will tell. LOL

Fantastic information!  Thank you  :-)

Because of their relation and number size, have you learned if they have a pecking order when it comes time to eating or are they as relaxed about this as they seem to be about mating with neighbouring prides?  Also, do the rangers have individual names for each member?