Brothers fighting

For the last two months the male lions on Phinda have been fighting for territory. The dominant male in the north has been challenged by the three young brothers from the south. One of the South brothers has even been mating with some of the North pride lionesses. But tension has also been building between the South males themselves. This came to a head when two of the south males discovered their third brother mating with a North pride lioness. A dramatic fight ensued right in front of our vehicle. However it was the brother who had been mating with the lioness that appeared victorious. As the situation stands now (12 Oct), the three brothers are together again but still inhabiting the north prides territory. But the North lionesses have returned to the North male who is the father of their cubs. Who knows what might happen in these following weeks....

Posted: Phinda by philip de bruyn, Date: 6 October 2008