Ximhungwe pride stand together

The 4 Selati males have been on the scent of the Ximhungwe pride for over a week! What they didn’t bargain on was the maternal instinct and teamwork of 4 united lionesses that are prepared to put it all on the line to protect their cubs.

3 nights ago both the males and lionesses were within 2 kilometers of each other far up in the north. During the night the lionesses must have picked up the males in hot pursuit and high tailed it south for over 10 kilometers.

In the morning the lionesses were located right on the southern fence line with their 4 exhausted cubs trotting heavy legged behind them.

One of the males hadn‘t given up while his weary brothers couldn‘t take the pace. He was very close, within 500m of them and it was remarkable to observe his acute sense of smell as he trailed them until he finally caught sight of them.

The lionesses were left with no choice and rallied together.

Enjoy the images and video below.

[FMP width=”640″ height=”360″]https://www.leopardhills.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/20120324-Ximhungwe-fight.flv[/FMP]

Pride takeovers are a lengthy sequence of events and the lionesses have won the first battle but we feel a confrontation with all 4 males is inevitable. We will keep you all posted!