As if a big, dominant, battle-scarred male lion roaring loudly into the night isn’t memorable enough; this particular game drive took place during an African thunder storm, with lightning illuminating the sky and rain drizzling down onto the drying earth. The Trilogy lion coalition is a strong band of 3 brothers, and even though they are not always seen together, they have an unbreakable bond. Here, one of the brothers we have identified by a prominent scar on his nose, calls out loudly to make contact.
Africa on Foot and nThambo Tree Camp have been viewing this coalition for over a year, since they arrived as strangers and chased away the resident Ross pride that occupied this territory in the Klaserie. Over time, guests have seen these lions mating with lionesses from the Ross pride and the Giraffe pride, which possesses the white gene. The 2 white lionesses from the Giraffe pride were seen mating with another member of the Trilogy coalition, while one of the tawny lionesses from the Ross breakaway duo has seen partnering up with this big male not long ago.
Lions roar like this at night, mostly, when the air is still and silent, and the vibrating sound carries for over 7km. They roar to make contact with their pride members and to declare their territory. Other lions can identify the specific calls and choose to respond or not to respond, making lion pride dynamics even more fascinating. Often, lionesses that have made a kill will refrain from answering to male lions’ contact calls because it is inevitable that they will lose their kill to the dominant pride leader. As much as lions are social cats, when it comes to feeding, its every man for himself.
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