There is something about a bitterly cold winter’s morning that adds an edge to a lion search. Maybe it’s the knowledge that lions are far more active in the cold, making the chances of finding them on the move that much better, or maybe it’s simply the thrill of huddling into your jacket and blanket and scanning ahead as the first light creeps over the crests. Whatever it is, when we set out early the other morning to follow up on lions that had been calling to the east of camp, the anticipation on the vehicle was, and always is, unmatched in these situations.
Shortly after the sun rose, Ranger Nick called in that he had found the Gijima Males together with the Ntsevu Pride. Exciting news on its own, but it immediately raised a question amongst all of us. The Ntsevu Pride still has three sub-adults that are very much part of the pride, and although the females may be safe, the young male would definitely be in danger. For sub-adult lions, and young males in particular, the presence of dominant males that aren’t their fathers is extremely dangerous. A coalition like the Gijima Males will not tolerate a maturing male within a pride they have laid claim to. To them, he is nothing but future competition, and lions deal with future competition swiftly and often brutally.
After watching the pride for a while, one of the females began to move west, with the Gijima Males trailing not far behind her. We hadn’t travelled far when we spotted the sub-adults in the distance. The change in the pride was instant. The females knew exactly the danger the youngsters were in, especially the young male.
The Ntsevu Young Male seeing his mother closely being followed by the Gijima Males
The moment the Gijima Males noticed him, they began to roar, quickening their pace as they closed the gap. It was enough of a fright for the young male, and he got out of there, for good, or so we thought.
Noticing the Young Male for the first time.
About half an hour passed as we watched the pride and the males resting in the winter sun. Then we looked to our west again and noticed a journey of giraffes, all staring intently at something. Looking through our binoculars, and sure enough, there he was, the young male, heading straight back in our direction. He clearly didn’t take the last hint.
One of the Young Females watching the Gijima Males from a distance
What happened next is something I’ll never forget. When he was about 100 metres away, the blonde Gijima Male exploded into a sprint. I have never seen a lion move like that. He chased the young male flat out for over a kilometre through the clearings east of the airstrip, and the youngster escaped by the skin of his teeth. Had he been caught, I don’t think things would have ended well for him.
After the chase, he roared for about 5 minutes
As harsh as it is to witness, this is a natural and necessary part of lion dynamics. It is exactly this kind of pressure that forces young males out of their natal prides and into their nomadic years, where they will have to fend for themselves before, hopefully, one day staking a claim of their own. One can only hope this young male has got the message, because the Gijima Males will not be so forgiving next time.
Embracing his brother.
The whole morning was an incredible display of dominance by the Gijima Males, showcasing just how fierce they can truly be when their authority is challenged. For me, this has to be up there with one of my best lion sightings yet — and to think it all began with distant roars on a bitterly cold morning.
Now Sit Back and watch the entire chase, captured by Londolozi Guest Yanush Cherkis.
Patrick Grealy
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