Sabi Sand

(Hosana carefully watching some hyenas, Screenshot Credit: Gabi Hossain, safariLIVE, Djuma)

14 Oct

Continuing the drama from the day before not one but three spotted cats were found on Chitwa Chitwa where Tingana unfortunately lost his kills to the Birmingham male lions. This time Tingana not only had to contend with young Hosana but also Thamba. All three spotted cats seemed to be tolerant of each other and each seemed to have had a little of the left overs. Two hyena skulked around the base of the large marula tree. One of the spotted scavengers managed to bully Hosana into giving up an impala leg. Eventually the kills were finishes and all the predators moved off.

 

15 Oct

The young prince was found yet again. He bounded about the Molwati drainage line full of the exuberance of a young male leopard. Eventually he wandered northwards towards the Vuyatela dam, leading us to Thandi with a nyala kill. Hosana then muscled his way in and proceeded to feed off her hard won kill. Later that afternoon he slept off his fat fluffy belly next to the soothing coolness of a full pan.

 

17 Oct

A grey morning dawned with Hosana on yet another stolen kill. This time he took his chances with his other older sister, Shadow. Shadow and her cub watched carefully as Hosana finished off the last remaining scraps of an impala ram kill. Yet the three leopards were not the only spotted predators in the sighting, five members of the Djuma hyena clan lurked in the thickets waiting for any chance to make off with a piece of meat.

(Shadow surveilling the skies, Photo Credit: Tristan Dicks, safariLIVE, Djuma)

16 Oct

WE ran into Shadow leading her cub back to a male impala kill. Both mother and daughter appear to be in good condition, although Shadow is still sporting a slight limp. They had their fill and spent the afternoon sleeping, avoiding the oppressive heat. Later that afternoon when WE returned, a third spotted predator was on the scene. A hyena, blind in one eye, was feeding off of the impala while Shadow and her cub watched from the periphery. While Shadow cast a motherly gaze, her young and precocious cub took her chances with the much larger hyena.   

 

19 Oct

Shadow, and cub, were found lying about in the Molawati. At first there was bit of confusion whether the leopard at hand was Shadow or Thandi; the initial mistake was due to the fact that Shadow was located in an area frequented often by her sister. WE will have to keep an eye on these two female leopards as they hammer out the boundaries of their respective territories.

 

(A member of the Kichwa Coalition sidles up next to a member of the Sausage Tree Pride. Screenshot Credit: Sierra MN. safariLIVE, Maasai Mara)

SAUSAGE TREE PRIDE

 

13 Oct

A member of the Kichwa Coalition decided to spend his afternoon with the ladies of the Sausage Tree Pride and their cubs (who are maturing at a rapid rate.) When he first approached the ladies, one of them growled at him then rolled over in submission. Shortly thereafter WE saw one of the other lionesses leading the cubs away.

 

15 Oct

On this nippy day in the Mara, the Sausage Tree Pride were eyeing nearby buffalo. However, it became apparent that they were disinterested as they were already feeding on another buffalo carcass. The young cubs were very playful with the Kichwa male who was still in their company.

 

16 Oct

The pride were doing what lions do best – napping.

(The Angama Pride frolicking about in the Traingle. Screenshot Credit: Debbie Vancouver, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara)

ANGAMA PRIDE

 

15 Oct

The Angama Pride were seen relaxing and rolling about in the grass. Shortly thereafter, they all closed their eyes for a nap.

(Scarface contemplates life after a mating session with an unknown lionness. Screenshot Credit: MaryAnn, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara)

SCARFACE AND YOUNG LIONESS

 

14 Oct

On this fine Mara morning WE came across Scarface and an unknown, young lioness. At first they were asleep, but they soon came together to copulate. With his bones protruding, he looked like he was in need of a meal.

 

15 Oct

We came across Scarface again. This time we did not see a mating display, however, he still looked emaciated.

(The kinky-tailed feeds on a buffalo carcass. Screenshot Credit: Naturable, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara)

SALT LICK PRIDE

 

14 Oct

On a chilly Mara evening, WE found the Salt Lick Pride feasting on a buffalo carcass. WE were happy to see that the kinky tailed lioness digging in with the rest of the pride.

(Cubs of the Oloololo Pride playing with a blanket. Screenshot Credit: Laura B from Alabama, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara)

OLOOLOLO PRIDE

 

14 Oct

On this beautiful Mara morning, the Oloololo Pride began the day napping together, then later retreated to the den site with the cubs.

 

15 Oct

WE were treated to the adorable sight of cubs playing tug-of-war with a blanket – no doubt a memento from a tourist.

 

16 Oct

The Oloololo Pride napped and relaxed together.

(A couple creating the next generation of lions in the Maasai Mara. Screenshot Credit: David R. Wagner, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara)

MATING PAIR (KICHWA MALE + MARSH BREAKAWAY PRIDE LIONESS)

 

14 Oct

WE came across the pair in the throes of copulation. After a brief roaring session, they settled down for a nap.

 

17 Oct

When WE found this pair again, they were still mating.

(The Purungat Pride enjoys the sunset on top of a mound. Screenshot Credit: David R. Wagner, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara)

PURUNGAT PRIDE

 

17 Oct

WE came across the pride a little before the sunset. They were all relaxed and reclined, enjoying their early evening nap. A herd of wildebeest were nearby, but the felines were not interested in feeding just yet.

 

18 Oct

WE returned in the morning to visit again with the Purungats. WE found them feeding on a wildebeest carcass. Nearby, there was a wildebeest calf in a water puddle – the lions hadn’t yet started feeding on it. WE suspected it was an unborn calf.

 

19 Oct

On this crisp morning, there was a spat in the pride. It seemed that a male was interested in mating with one the lionesses, and she did not feel the same way about him. He quickly turned his attention to drinking water.

(The Border Boys go low to start stalking prey. Screenshot Credit: Laura B from Alabama, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara)

BORDER BOYS

 

15 Oct

When we first happened upon this pair, they were napping. Shortly thereafter, they woke up and went into their stalking crouch. WE were excited at the idea of a potential hunt. However, they lost interest in the hunt and started playing with each other instead. A little after they settled down for another nap.

(The 5 Musketeers in formation, walking at dusk. Screenshot Credit: Naturable, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara)

5 MUSKETEERS

 

16 Oct

WE came across the 5 Musketeers and they looked like they were recovering from an intense hunting session. One member of the coalition was missing, while three of the other members were limping badly. Additionally, one of the boys seemed to be agitated, calling constantly. He eventually wandered away from the remaining three for some alone time.

 

17 Oct

When WE came across the 5 boys stalking across the plains at dusk, all 5 members were present. They seemed more relaxed, however three of the members were still limping.

(A male leopard guards his wildebeest carcass warily. Screenshot Credit: Ann DT, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara)

MALE LEOPARD

 

18 Oct

WE were beside ourselves with excitement when WE came across this male leopard as they are a rare find in the Mara. The male was guarding a wildebeest carcass that he seemed to have been feeding on through the night. Shortly thereafter, a hyena appeared on the scene. Hesitant at first but growing in confidence, he slunk in and stole the carcass away. The leopard put up a half hearted fight by growling at the hyena before seeking solace in the highest branches of the tree.

(Nora relaxes on the plains. Screenshot Credit: Naturable, safariLIVE, Maasai Mara)

NORA

 

18 Oct

Nora and another female were relaxing when WE found them. Shortly thereafter, they were up on their feet and marching across the plains.