Watch the Sighting:
Self-employed safari guide Rodney Nombekana captured this thrilling encounter with his guests in Pilanesberg Game Reserve. After entering the park early in the morning through Bakubung gate, Rodney and his guests started their day with a lot of excitement!
A Safari That Started With Luck
While driving down one of the main roads for a few minutes, Rodney spotted several cars pulled over. Knowing that there was likely a sighting nearby, he decided to investigate.
To everyone’s delight, two lions basked in the morning sunlight! Since the sight was located on one of the main roads of the park, however, it quickly became crowded, forcing Rodney to take his group elsewhere.
As he was pulling away from the sighting, one of his friends informed him of some other lions near Mankwe Way Plains. Later in the day, after having spotted a male leopard, Rodney decided to take his friend’s advice and head to Mankwe Way Plains in hopes of spotting the lions.
Since Rodney’s group had lucked out so much during the day, nobody could imagine the day getting any more exciting. Little did they know they were in for an incredible encounter!
The Lions Make Their Move
In the late afternoon, Rodney pulled up to Mankwe Way Plains and was disappointed when he couldn’t find the lions. Then, all of a sudden, he noticed a zebra limping towards his vehicle.
Rodney knew that if he was patient, the zebra would draw the lions out of hiding, and hopefully everyone would be able to witness a hunt. Sure enough, as he pulled out his binoculars, Rodney spotted a single lioness stalking the zebra and knew the hunt was on!
Within a few breathtaking moments, the lioness secured the kill directly before everyone’s eyes! But the excitement was far from over…
Tensions Rise In The Pride
As soon as the lioness took the zebra down, it was as if a dinner bell was rung. The rest of the pride quickly hurried over to enjoy the spoils of the kill.
In a shocking turn of events, the encounter became heated when the pride turned on two of the younger males. They hissed and chased them away from the zebra, ousting them from the pride!
When male lions reach the age of 2-3 years (the age of sexual maturity), they are typically kicked out of their pride to prevent inbreeding. These males then become nomadic and form coalitions, which help them to challenge other males for new territory or to take over another pride.
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A Rare and Unforgettable Sight
Rodney was shocked. The ousting of young males in a pride is rarely ever witnessed, let alone caught on camera!
Unfortunately, by the time the pride settled down to feast on the kill, it was time to exit the park before the gates would close. Rodney reflected on his experience and how lucky his guests were:
“What an incredible day for my guests who were on safari for the first time. No amount of words can describe such a sighting”, Rodney said.
This sighting is a reminder that every moment in the wild holds a story. From the triumph of a hunt to the harsh reality of a lion’s fight for independence, there is always an ever-changing balance of life.