Predator vs Predator Conflict and News

[bob]

A Florida wildlife officer shoots and kills Bobo, a 600-pound
Bengal-Siberian tiger that escaped from a Loxahatchee compound owned
by former Tarzan actor Steve Sipek. Hundreds of people send angry
messages, including death threats, to the Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission. Sipek ultimately replaces his beloved tiger
with two new cubs.

[bob]

We watched an amazing though sad incident at Oliphant's camp in October while staying in no 11 which has a wonderful view of the river. One afternoon a lioness brought her 4 cubs over the river.We watched as she fed them and played with them.

After a while she became increasingly restless and after a couple of false starts led them back across the weir.Once she started out they had to follow though it was obvious they were struggling.

About half way across the last cub slipped into the weir. There was a sudden tremendous splash and it was snapped up by a big croc. The lioness reached the far bank with the other three, looked back briefly

[bob]

This info concerns the 5 male (initially 6 {not sure what happened to the 6th who was infact the oldest} males} lions that dominate the Sabi Sands at present - response to initial info from the Male Coalition Thread.

Ok latest on mapogos-I have to say although some good info on this forum, some of the points mentioned are incorrect.
Whether you call it the Dudley Pride, Spartan Pride or Eyrefield Pride, that the Mapogos originated from, its all the same pride that Spends its time mostly on Mala Mala, Dudley and Londolozi.

If you want to go to see the family history of the males go to malamala.com and click on the 'wildlife' icon and under lions you get plenty of info on the Eyrefield Pride, amongst other, over the last few years-this is the pride that they came from and has plenty of monthly updates.
They split away from this pride and eventually started to take over the Sabi Sands but mostly in the Western Sector, killing a lot of lions in their wake and decimating at least 2 small prides that I had seen. They didnt stop at cubs and males but also adult females.

As they are around the ages of 6 and 7 they are getting more settled into a territory . This territory includes the western sector mostly for all 5 adult males and 2 of the males (damaged nose and damaged tail individuals) tend to venture out eastwards and have shown a lot of interest in the Styx Pirde (7 females and 9 cubs) and have probably been the reason for the death of about 3 or 4 cubs of the initial 12 or so that there were present a few months back.
THe Styx Females have been fighting back and stand their ground while a female or two and the Rollercoaster Male (survivor of a coalition of 4 males that still holds on to central MM) escorts the cubs to safety. Every now and then the 5 males all make the visit across the Sand River to the Main Camp area of Mala Mala but it does seem that 3 of the males spend more time in the west - this could lead to a split in the coalition.

As far as their viewing in Djuma goes (always a lot of action up there), I had also heard that they killed one of the 2 brothers (Blondie) after they the 5 Mapogos had initially been chased by them, only to return a day or two later to stamp their authority by killing one of the males. I have to say though that I dont think they leave the Sabi Sands at all if ever but perhaps they went as far east as the S36 in Kruger and maybe a once off nomadic visit to Mudzanzeni but Penny I am 99% sure that those must be other males if viewed frequently, as SS always keeps tabs on their animals and as far as I know they are always there.

As far as the concern for the Charleston Pride is concerned well they have composed 5 females for the last few years and at present have a few cubs. This pride spends most time in KNP close to the SE corner of Sabi Sands and as far as I know they never encounter the Mapogos.

The big pride that also move onto CHarleston is the Selati Pride (regularly around 15 members in early part of this decade) or Southern Pride as known in Lion Sands and Sabi Sabi. I have seen them with 6 females at most and 3 young males about 5 years old - this was in 06. THe males (2 left) havnt been pushed out so have mated with their mothers and sisters and have 10 healthy cubs. Also an apparent Split away from this pride is the HildesRock Pride (Spelling?) as known in Lion Sands which includes 3 adult females 3 now adult males and 1 now adult female. THey hang around to the North and West of Skukuza mostly and you can find them near the airstrip often! ALl these lion hav not felt the effects of the Mapogos.

Finally the Mapogos natal pride was in serious trouble with 3 struggling females holding last hope for this awesome pride-in May 2007 to about July 2007 they have raised 9 cubs up to now almost to adult hood an amazing feet - its been a pleasure watching them grow. The cubs include 5 males and 4 females and all look good to reach adulthood at this stage meaning that the odds are fair of this pride producing another formidable male coalition. Interestingly this pride and the Mapogos havent crossed paths much if at all although they have come into a few hundred metres of each others territories. Its almost as though the Mapogos know to keep away from their SIster/Aunts/Moms to avoid inbreeding. But time will tell and if the do meet the encounter would be fascinating in terms of whether the 5 males would kill the large cubs as genetically speaking the cubs are as related to each of the 5 mapogo males as they are to at least 1 of the 3 females, the sister(s) of these notorious males.

Anyway these 5 males are truly amazing - they even kill rhinos! I have heard unofficially that they have killed more than 10 (be it calves, sub adults, whatever) would be interesting to know. Seeing all 5 of them roar in unison and then later on swim in the Sand River after some Dugga Boys has to be a highlight!

[bob]

Tjellahanga male leopard – 11 September

The old warhorse is dead. This mighty keeper of the south – the one that has dominated the area for over six years – has finally succumbed to his fate. He was found ripped to pieces on River Road east of Flat Rocks. In last week’s cyber diary you would have read about his mighty battle with the Charleston lionesses, after he was caught red-handed killing one of their cubs. The leopard tried to escape by climbing a tree, but one of the females climbed up after him and pulled him down again. The two lionesses then set about trying to rip him limb from limb. He somehow he managed to escape death, but was severely mauled and could barely walk after the incident. The leopard managed to drag himself to the Sand River for a drink, before resting up under the reeds. That was the last time he was seen alive. Sometime during that night or the following day he must have died from his injuries. Over the next few days the hyenas fed off his body, leaving just his head, spine and front legs for rangers to find.

Some say retribution was finally paid, as that was the second cub from the Charleston pride that he’d killed this year. Others say he died a hero’s death, fighting the enemy until the bitter end. Whatever your opinion, it’s a sad day for all of us and he will be sorely missed. Who can ever forget seeing him with that unmistakable blue eye that was given to him by the Hlulurini male during a territorial fight? Who doesn’t remember him feeding on a large male warthog only to be chased off by his old nemesis, the Beaumont’s male? He outlasted them both. And his latest competitor – the Bicycle Crossing male, although we never actually saw them in battle, the Tjellahanga male never backed down and was dominant to the end. We will surely miss this charismatic and powerful male. May he rest in peace.

[bob]

Last week, not long after scientists celebrated the first bald eagle chicks hatched without human aid on Santa Cruz Island in more than half a century, experts hunting in a helicopter used a net gun to remove the last three golden eagles from the island.

One was a 7-week-old chick still in its nest. The others, captured in midflight, were a pair of adults -- possibly the same ones that eluded trappers who tried to pick them up in 2005.

These wily eagles eat feral pigs, which scientists are also trying to remove. But the eagles also are suspected in the death of 20 island foxes, which scientists are desperately trying to save. A search of the nest uncovered the remains of 12 wild foxes -- several without radio collars, which help biologists track the cat-sized creatures on the 96-square-mile island.

Removal of the golden eagles is one part of a four-part plan to restore the island's ecosystem. The other parts of the plan are the reestablishment of bald eagles, which are larger and prefer fish, smaller birds and nonterrestrial prey; the removal of feral pigs; and the restoration of the population of island foxes.

The two eagles captured last week "posed an extreme threat to the foxes," said Yvonne Menard, spokeswoman for the National Park Service, which controls nearly a quarter of the island. "We're optimistic that saving the island fox will be possible with the removal of these nonnative predators."

The adults were released on the far side of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The golden eagle chick was placed in a raptor center in San Diego and is expected to begin flying as early as this weekend.

Biologists said one or two adolescent golden eagles have been spotted on Santa Cruz in recent months, but it was unclear whether they lived there or were just visiting, Menard said. Monitors will continue to be on the lookout for additional golden eagles, she said.

Since 1999, the park service and the Nature Conservancy -- joint owners of Santa Cruz, about 18 miles off the Ventura County coast -- have spent more than $1.7 million to remove the golden eagles.

[bob]

This battle between the Mlowathi males and the 5 young male lions from the Kruger National Park took place over a few days (8 – 11 June). It was a fight for dominance based on revenge, and one that ended (predictably) in bloodshed.

Although the action took place just north of MalaMala, the implications will have far reaching effects. On the night of the 7th the two Mlowathi brothers moved north. At the same time the five young male lions were making their way south after finishing a buffalo kill in the north.

During the early hours of the 8th, the two Mlowathi boys caught up with the five intruders, and started a battle that would last two days. The brothers attacked the Kruger Park lions, who then very quickly took off. The older, darker maned male was caught by the two dominant lions and severely mauled. His leg was broken and spine snapped, and he died from his injuries a short while later. They then roared their dominance out across the frosty morning before finding some shade to rest in.

That evening the rowdy pair was preparing to move west when the four brothers approached them from behind. They had returned to avenge their brother’s death. Caught unawares, the Mlowathi males hightailed it out of the area. But the four young lions proved too fast for them, and before long they’d caught ‘Kinky Tail’ and mauled him to within an inch of his life. They then left him and went after his brother, ‘Mohawk’. He was also caught, but managed to escape before too much harm could be inflicted. He kept running and crossed into MalaMala in the early hours of the 9th.

The four Kruger National Park brothers then returned to where they had left ‘Kinky Tail’, and finished him off. Not satisfied with just killing one of the legendary Mapogo male lions, they then proceeded to eat him too. Although cannibalism is extremely rare among lions, it does happen. Especially in situations where there is a quest for dominance. Once the Kruger brothers had finished feeding on ’Kinky Tail’, they moved south again and crossed into MalaMala on the 9th. During that same afternoon rangers found the remaining Mlowathi male at Mlowathi Dam. He looked fit enough and didn’t appear to have any serious injuries – at least none that could be seen. Having not yet realized what happened to his brother, ‘Mohawk’ roared through the night as he searched for him.

On the 10th he was still in the exact same spot, and continued roaring throughout the day and night, still hoping his brother would hear him. Late in the evening of the 10th, roaring was heard coming from the east in response to each of the remaining Mlowathi brother’s roars. Rangers rushed to find where the roars were coming from, and found three of the younger brothers lying in Ostrich Koppies Road at the junction of Rhino Walk. The fourth brother was spotted in the bush, a little further away. Tensions rose with each passing roar, giving the distinct impression that an all out war might well be imminent.

On the morning of the 11th, the rangers rushed back out to find the two parties and to see what had happened during the night. ‘Mohawk’ was nowhere to be seen, but tracks indicated he had gone north. The four brothers were still lying in the same spot, but had been joined by the lead female of the Styx pride sometime during the night. She was lying off to one side with the most dominant of the four males, and the pair was mating periodically. Just as evening settled in and the three blonde males started to move off, one of them spotted a pangolin and tried in vain to eat it. The male that was mating then began roaring, and soon his three brothers returned and joined in. When rangers left the area all five lions were roaring, and one very nervous pangolin was still rolled in a tight ball.

With the reign of the Mlowathi males coming to such an abrupt end, the lion dynamics have been thrown wide open. For now however, the most pressing concern is the tiny Eyrefield cubs and the new Styx cubs. Only time will tell, but given what’s happened, it doesn’t look good for them.

[bob]

These two cheetahs have been spending a lot of time hunting in the open areas around the Mlowathi Dam. The pair was found moving through the open area looking for something to hunt.

Inconveniently, the impala were all milling around Mlowathi Dam.

The males were chasing each other around, while the females huddled together in the cool morning. The cheetahs watched the herd from the far side, but with so much open area between prey and predator, it was a stale mate.

The resident black backed jackal pair took exception to the cheetahs resting in ‘their’ territory, and started alarm calling in their direction in an attempt to force them out. The cheetahs eyed the jackals, but showed no sign of moving. That is, until the resident baboon troop joined in the challenge of getting rid of the unwanted predators.

Led by the alpha males, the troop quickly advanced on the unwelcome twosome. The cheetahs eventually acquiesced, and retreated to the bush line where the mother lay down to watch the advancing baboons from a safe vantage point. The young female decided to face the troop head on, and even went so far as to mock charge them a few times.

The baboons slowly flanked her, and like a gang of soccer hooligans began hurling insults. As they closed in on the over-confident youngster, the troop’s ranks suddenly exploded into an all-out sprint. This sent the cheetah sprinting back to her mother. The two then quickly “high tailed” it into the bush, with the baboons hot on their heels.

But in a sprint between athletes and hooligans, the athletes always win. The cheetahs easily maneuvered through the scrub and out of harm’s way.

[bob]

A simple sighting of a hyena kicked off one of the most intense sightings of the year.

The hyena was trailing the Bicycle Crossing male. The leopard was moving north along Piccadilly Triangle, and roaring and scent marking as he went. As this notoriously large male reached Mlowathi Koppies, the Emsagwen male leopard emerged from the night. This younger male was walking the exact same path, some fifty meters behind the Bicycle Crossing male – salivating and growling.

Both leopards headed slowly into the koppies. Another ranger arriving at the sighting, discovered the Manyelethi male leopard sitting at Mlowathi Crossing – looking on as the other two passed right by him.

With three big male leopards in the area, the scene was set for fireworks.

Deciding that the two younger males were more than he could handle, the Manyelethi male slunk off up the Mlowathi River, roaring his disgust at having his territory invaded. In the meantime the other two leopards had moved deep into Mlowathi Koppies, and we had to loop around the rocky outcrop in order to relocate them. En route we “bumped into” a fresh impala kill hanging in a tree, which was being closely guarded by the Ostrich Koppies female.

The Bicycle Crossing male appeared at the base of the tree (which had momentarily been vacated by the female), climbed up and immediately began feeding on the carcass.

In the interim the Emsagwen male had moved north of the tree with the kill in it, and was lying down growling and salivating profusely. The Bicycle Crossing male ate sparingly before descending the tree to take up guard ten paces from the Emsagwen male.

The Ostrich Koppies female (having come to the conclusion that these two males needed some space) wisely abandoned her kill and disappeared into the darkness – moving north away from the battle zone.

The two males then squared up and faced each other – a lot of growling, snarling and hissing followed, which was interspersed with the pair scent marking all over the rocks and bushes. They did some parallel walking and then lay in the grass, still trading growls with one another.

The sighting came to an end when dinner called.

Following up on last night’s sighting, we found the two males still locked in their territorial battle. It looked as though both of them had fed off the carcass, but their main focus was still on the battle at hand.

They were up early in the morning to carry on with their parallel walking – while still continuously growling, snarling and spitting at each other at every opportunity.

They both began to jog, slowed down, then sped up again. With neither cat giving an inch, they made a complete circle back to the area of the carcass and both lay down in the shade – still growling.

About 30 minute – and much growling and scent marking – later, they got up again and parallel walked some more, slowly at first with much stopping to rest in the shade. At this point the Emsagwen male was on the road and the Bicycle Crossing male on the ridge above him.

Both leopards started jogging, which quickly turned into an all out sprint. They angled toward each other – and with a mighty leap of 160 kilograms of pure muscle – made contact. The cats crashed into each other and immediately went for the head and neck area. Teeth bared and claws outstretched, they came to the ground in a death lock – each trapped in the grasp of the other.

After several seconds the lock was broken and they pulled apart. The Bicycle Crossing male twisted onto his feet first, and turned and pushed off in one movement in order to catch the Emsagwen male off guard.

But his deft opponent saw him coming, and leapt backwards to avoid the head-on assault. The Bicycle Crossing male aimed straight for the throat – canines already glistening with blood -but the Emsagwen male sprang backwards and managed to raise a paw up in time to meet the face of his adversary.

Both leopards tumbled over, but the Emsagwen male – having twisted out of the grip of the Bicycle Crossing male – landed on top and set about slicing open the neck and cheek of the Bicycle Crossing male. Rising up on his hind legs, the Bicycle Crossing male retaliated by raking the face of the Emsagwen male.

Three hyenas in the area came running in as soon as the two cats started fighting. Both leopards were preoccupied by the task at hand, and completely ignored them. This didn’t deter the spectators, who sat in their ring side seats egging on the fighters with their sickly laughs.

When either leopard was thrown to the ground, the hyenas would run in, nipping at the downed gladiator and forcing him up and back into the fight. Baying for blood, the scavengers watched as the two leopards thrashed about with swinging limbs, snarling at each other, blood pouring from gashes and dripping from bared teeth.

The Bicycle Crossing male (caught on the ground) pulled back, and the two males then circled each other – snarling and hissing insults across the arena. The Emsagwen male then launched his counter attack, smashing head first into the Bicycle Crossing male.

Catching the Emsagwen male mid-air, the Bicycle Crossing male bit deep into the neck of the younger male, and hung on for life. Having thrown his opponent off balance, the Emsagwen male was able to negotiate an equally secure grip on the Bicycle Crossing male’s neck.

Both leopards then fell to the ground with their teeth still sunk into the opposition’s neck, and their claws furiously raking the head and flanks of the other.

[bob]

The moment a crocodile pounces on the young elephant, hoping for a kill by locking its jaws around its trunk Photo: Johan Opperman/Solent News

The scene was captured by amateur photographer Johan Opperman while taking pictures of a family of African bush elephants grazing by a water hole and cooling down.

Under the watchful eye of its family, the young elephant headed to the edge of the waterhole to grab a drink.

, a crocodile pounced on the youngster, hoping for a kill by locking its jaws around its trunk.

Hearing the baby's distress calls, the herd of elephants scared off the reptile by trumpeting and stamping around.

After the attack the herd stayed with the youngster.

Once the herd decided all was well, they crossed the dam together, just metres from where the crocodile had been hiding.

Mr Opperman, from Pretoria, in South Africa, captured the incredible moment while on a day trip in the country's Kruger National Park.

The 38 year-old said: "The elephants were just grazing in the area, drinking water and cooling down - typical elephant behaviour.

"The crocodile grabbed the baby elephant and made an attempted kill - it was hoping for a nice lunch with elephant on the menu.

"From a couple of experts, I've heard that this is however very rare, and that crocodiles do not normally try to catch elephants.

"When the crocodile got hold of the baby elephant, the whole herd of elephants first went crazy, running around and trumpeting, and then proceeded to come to the rescue of the baby elephant.

"After it was saved, all the elephants of the herd stayed around the baby elephant for a while, making sure that it was okay.

"The ones coming to the rescue were most probably female, especially the matriarch female.

"I did not realise exactly what I managed to catch on film until I got to my holiday resort that night and looked through the photos on my computer.

"The screen on digital cameras is not the greatest and made it hard to see the details of what was captured.

"When the 'action' started, I just started clicking away in typical amateur fashion, hoping to get at least something.

"It was quite a surprise to later see on the larger computer monitor that I actually managed to get one photo of the crocodile pulling on the elephant."

[John]

Oct 23, 2010 8:08:03 GMT -5 bob said:

These two cheetahs have been spending a lot of time hunting in the open areas around the Mlowathi Dam. The pair was found moving through the open area looking for something to hunt.

Inconveniently, the impala were all milling around Mlowathi Dam.

The males were chasing each other around, while the females huddled together in the cool morning. The cheetahs watched the herd from the far side, but with so much open area between prey and predator, it was a stale mate.

The resident black backed jackal pair took exception to the cheetahs resting in ‘their’ territory, and started alarm calling in their direction in an attempt to force them out. The cheetahs eyed the jackals, but showed no sign of moving. That is, until the resident baboon troop joined in the challenge of getting rid of the unwanted predators.

Led by the alpha males, the troop quickly advanced on the unwelcome twosome. The cheetahs eventually acquiesced, and retreated to the bush line where the mother lay down to watch the advancing baboons from a safe vantage point. The young female decided to face the troop head on, and even went so far as to mock charge them a few times.

The baboons slowly flanked her, and like a gang of soccer hooligans began hurling insults. As they closed in on the over-confident youngster, the troop’s ranks suddenly exploded into an all-out sprint. This sent the cheetah sprinting back to her mother. The two then quickly “high tailed” it into the bush, with the baboons hot on their heels.

But in a sprint between athletes and hooligans, the athletes always win. The cheetahs easily maneuvered through the scrub and out of harm’s way.

Some of this info is incorrect. Mr. T and Kinky Tail were not running West when the Majingilanes came back at night. Mr. T and Kinky Tail got separated somehow when they were resting, perhaps T drifted while kinky tail nursed his injured paw. When the Majingilanes made contact with Kinky Tail, Kinky Tail proceeded to chase the 4 Majingilanes by himself. The Majingilanes actually began to run from him scared, however when Kinky Tail knocked two of them down they realized he was alone and eventually over powered the brave Mapogo.

[John]

Oct 23, 2010 7:50:51 GMT -5 bob said:

This battle between the Mlowathi males and the 5 young male lions from the Kruger National Park took place over a few days (8 – 11 June). It was a fight for dominance based on revenge, and one that ended (predictably) in bloodshed.

Although the action took place just north of MalaMala, the implications will have far reaching effects. On the night of the 7th the two Mlowathi brothers moved north. At the same time the five young male lions were making their way south after finishing a buffalo kill in the north.

During the early hours of the 8th, the two Mlowathi boys caught up with the five intruders, and started a battle that would last two days. The brothers attacked the Kruger Park lions, who then very quickly took off. The older, darker maned male was caught by the two dominant lions and severely mauled. His leg was broken and spine snapped, and he died from his injuries a short while later. They then roared their dominance out across the frosty morning before finding some shade to rest in.

That evening the rowdy pair was preparing to move west when the four brothers approached them from behind. They had returned to avenge their brother’s death. Caught unawares, the Mlowathi males hightailed it out of the area. But the four young lions proved too fast for them, and before long they’d caught ‘Kinky Tail’ and mauled him to within an inch of his life. They then left him and went after his brother, ‘Mohawk’. He was also caught, but managed to escape before too much harm could be inflicted. He kept running and crossed into MalaMala in the early hours of the 9th.

The four Kruger National Park brothers then returned to where they had left ‘Kinky Tail’, and finished him off. Not satisfied with just killing one of the legendary Mapogo male lions, they then proceeded to eat him too. Although cannibalism is extremely rare among lions, it does happen. Especially in situations where there is a quest for dominance. Once the Kruger brothers had finished feeding on ’Kinky Tail’, they moved south again and crossed into MalaMala on the 9th. During that same afternoon rangers found the remaining Mlowathi male at Mlowathi Dam. He looked fit enough and didn’t appear to have any serious injuries – at least none that could be seen. Having not yet realized what happened to his brother, ‘Mohawk’ roared through the night as he searched for him.

On the 10th he was still in the exact same spot, and continued roaring throughout the day and night, still hoping his brother would hear him. Late in the evening of the 10th, roaring was heard coming from the east in response to each of the remaining Mlowathi brother’s roars. Rangers rushed to find where the roars were coming from, and found three of the younger brothers lying in Ostrich Koppies Road at the junction of Rhino Walk. The fourth brother was spotted in the bush, a little further away. Tensions rose with each passing roar, giving the distinct impression that an all out war might well be imminent.

On the morning of the 11th, the rangers rushed back out to find the two parties and to see what had happened during the night. ‘Mohawk’ was nowhere to be seen, but tracks indicated he had gone north. The four brothers were still lying in the same spot, but had been joined by the lead female of the Styx pride sometime during the night. She was lying off to one side with the most dominant of the four males, and the pair was mating periodically. Just as evening settled in and the three blonde males started to move off, one of them spotted a pangolin and tried in vain to eat it. The male that was mating then began roaring, and soon his three brothers returned and joined in. When rangers left the area all five lions were roaring, and one very nervous pangolin was still rolled in a tight ball.

With the reign of the Mlowathi males coming to such an abrupt end, the lion dynamics have been thrown wide open. For now however, the most pressing concern is the tiny Eyrefield cubs and the new Styx cubs. Only time will tell, but given what’s happened, it doesn’t look good for them.

Some of this info is incorrect. Mr. T and Kinky Tail were not running West when the Majingilanes came back at night. Mr. T and Kinky Tail got separated somehow when they were resting, perhaps T drifted while kinky tail nursed his injured paw. When the Majingilanes made contact with Kinky Tail, Kinky Tail proceeded to chase the 4 Majingilanes by himself. The Majingilanes actually began to run from him scared, however when Kinky Tail knocked two of them down they realized he was alone and eventually over powered the brave Mapogo. Mr. T showed up to try and save his brother about 15 minutes into the fight and gave one of the Majingilanes a beating but the other Majingilanes soon outnumbered him and that's when T finally fled.

[John]

Jan 14, 2016 15:10:30 GMT -5 John said:

Oct 23, 2010 8:08:03 GMT -5 bob said:

These two cheetahs have been spending a lot of time hunting in the open areas around the Mlowathi Dam. The pair was found moving through the open area looking for something to hunt.

Inconveniently, the impala were all milling around Mlowathi Dam.

The males were chasing each other around, while the females huddled together in the cool morning. The cheetahs watched the herd from the far side, but with so much open area between prey and predator, it was a stale mate.

The resident black backed jackal pair took exception to the cheetahs resting in ‘their’ territory, and started alarm calling in their direction in an attempt to force them out. The cheetahs eyed the jackals, but showed no sign of moving. That is, until the resident baboon troop joined in the challenge of getting rid of the unwanted predators.

Led by the alpha males, the troop quickly advanced on the unwelcome twosome. The cheetahs eventually acquiesced, and retreated to the bush line where the mother lay down to watch the advancing baboons from a safe vantage point. The young female decided to face the troop head on, and even went so far as to mock charge them a few times.

The baboons slowly flanked her, and like a gang of soccer hooligans began hurling insults. As they closed in on the over-confident youngster, the troop’s ranks suddenly exploded into an all-out sprint. This sent the cheetah sprinting back to her mother. The two then quickly “high tailed” it into the bush, with the baboons hot on their heels.

But in a sprint between athletes and hooligans, the athletes always win. The cheetahs easily maneuvered through the scrub and out of harm’s way.

[frank]

Jan 14, 2016 15:17:26 GMT -5 John said:

Jan 14, 2016 15:10:30 GMT -5 John said:

kinky tail my balls

[Joe]

Kinky Tail was brave but stupid he should have waited for his brother mr T to arrive

[sig]

kinky tail and t didnt high tail it out of there...thats rubish ..the majis ran from kinky tail but split up and go behind him...t was probly tranquilised and turned up a few minutes later...your story is bullshit...watch the video t goes to them they dont go to get him ...kinky tail never ran away from any lions,,,true sprtan