Predator vs Predator Conflict and News

[bob]

was on one of these occasions that we had an incredible sighting of 11 hyenas attacking the 2 Ottawa females. The females were initially cornered on a termite mound. This encounter became so intense at one stage that we thought that one of these lionesses would actually be killed by the hyena clan. However, she managed to escape and climb into a nearby marula tree. This whole incident was started off by 2 hyenas following the lionesses across a clearing. The hyenas then called for backup and within a very short space of time they were joined by a further 9..

[bob]

The Wallingford male was treed by one of the Mpogo male lions. This male leopard was so nonchalant about the whole affair that he draped his four legs over the branch and went fast asleep. The indignant male lion lay growling at the bottom of the tree but to no avail.

Eventually the lion roared several times but Wallys” did not even raise his head. On another occasion, the Makubela female killed a big impala and hoisted it into a tree. That evening another of the Mpogo arrived and proceeded to climb the tree and tried to dislodge the impala. Unfortunately for him, it was very firmly lodged in the branch so he was unable to pull it out with his paws and ended up biting onto the carcass and hanging on with his jaws until such time as the body became disconnected from the head and the lion and impala plunged to the ground 14 feet below.

It was incredible to see the lion with the huge weight of its body swinging freely for at least 30 seconds! Unfortunately, it was too dark to get any good photos of the event!

[bob]

[bob]

[bob]

Hyaena Charge at Vumbura Plains
24 May 2010
Location: Vumbura Plains, Kwedi Concession, Botswana
Date: 7 May 2010
Observers: Vumbura Plains Guides, Kai Collins and Brian Rode
Photographer: Kai Collins

The arrival of the annual floodwaters in the Kwedi Concession where Vumbura Plains is situated has far from impeded game viewing opportunities. Seeing this beautiful concession being transformed by the languid life-giving floodwaters is an amazing spectacle in itself, but there was far more in store for us on a recent visit.

While out on a morning game drive, with the help of the tell-tale sign of White-backed Vultures perched and squabbling in trees, Vumbura Plains guides located an old giraffe carcass in knee-high floodwater, its remains being fed on by a hungry clan of about 15 spotted hyaena.

Spotted hyaena often wade or swim through water but they are also very wary of crocodiles in deeper water, where they can inadvertently become the prey in turn. The rewards for the clan seemed to outweigh the risks associated with getting to the carcass, since although the carcass had been lying in the water for a while already, there was still quite a bit of meat left on it in places.

While we revelled in this spectacle, with camera shutters clicking away trying to capture that 'wow moment', I noted that the hyaena seemed quite anxious.

There were a few catfish feeding on the carcass remains and gulping for air - their sucking noises and body splashes making the hyaenas more wary, increasing their valid fear of crocodiles arriving on the scene at any moment.
Their nervousness was exacerbated even more by a rival clan that was approaching and rallying together in an attempt to take over the carcass. There were hyaenas everywhere, calling and whooping continuously; their vocalisations were incredible to hear. Every now and then one of the hyaenas would spook, possibly thinking it saw a crocodile or just due to the other hyaena clan approaching ever closer. They would then charge past us onto dry land, where they would regroup until a brave individual would pluck up the courage to wade out into the water again and continue feeding on the carcass.

This happened several times and we managed to get a few great shots of them racing through the water in our direction. What a fantastic sighting made possible due to the arrival of the annual floodwaters in the Okavango Delta...

[bob]

ow this mountain lion and this housecat ended up dead, side by side:

Bridget says the lion chased the kitty up an electrical pole and the kitty hit the top wire as the big cat grabbed its back leg (note that the kitty's back leg is cut open), then the big cat hit the second wire. The lion and the kitty were electrocuted and died, dropping to the ground right below the wires. (Bridget knows which cat hit which line because there's still fur on both wires). Fish, Wildlife and Parks picked up the cats this afternoon.

[bob]

below may be one rare account of crocs taking on male lions in deep water and killing them.....and confirming that nearly adult lion cubs r not safe as long as they havent leave their rpide where they were born, many were killed during takeovers

In June 2007, one of the Roller Coaster Males sadly was killed by a crocodile.

Roller Coaster/Rollercoaster Males, AKA Shaw Males, AKA Castleton Males Originally a Coalition of Six

These six males were born into the Castleton/Ximungwe pride in 1996. The same pride that also gave us the Tsalala Pride and the Ximuvanyane Pride.

They were sired by the 5 Sparta/West Street males (the same coalition that sired the Mapogo Males).

It is unclear how the Coalition of 6 was whittled down to just two by early 2006 but various reports suggests Bovine Tuberculosis and death by other lions was most likely the cause. By 2001 there were 5 surviving. 2002, four were surviving as one was believed to have been killed by another lion. One more disappeared and was believed dead by Aug 2002 leaving three. Of these three, one could easily be identified as he was missing an eye. The three became the dominant males of the Selati/Shaw Pride which by (2004) had 12 cubs sired by them. It was reported by Mala Mala in February 2006, that the one male missing an eye was confirmed to have died. He had been in poor condition for some time.

The two remaining Roller Coaster males had taken over the Eyrefield/Sparta pride by Aug 2006. This being the pride the Mapogo Coalition originated from. This pride today consists of three lionesses. Two are sisters of the Mapogo Males and the one old lioness may very well be the Mother to some of the Mapogos. The Eyrefield Pride currently has nine cubs approximately 18 to 20 mos old (5 males, 4 females) sired by the two Roller Coaster males and just recently accepted into their pride the Sub Adult male, Solo, from the Tsalala Pride of which the Roller Coaster male seems to accept.

The two brothers sought to oust the surviving old Split Rock male from his dominance over the Styx Pride. Which they finally succeeded in doing in 2007. It is suspected the Roller Coaster males contributed to the loss of all the Styx pride’s cubs in the later part of 2006.

Sadly, in June 2007 one of the Roller Coaster brothers was killed by a crocodile. Only one survives today. The lone survivor still has control for now over the Eyrefield/Sparta pride and their 9 cubs. He must also have some dominance over the Styx Pride, if any one lion can dominate the Styx Pride, as several of the Styx lionesses reportedly gave birth in 2008 with at least 9 cubs still surviving. The Styx cubs are believed to be sired by the old Roller Coaster male. He has been seen spending most of his time with the pride and interacting with the cubs. Though there is speculation that some of the Styx cubs may have been sired by the Mapogos, the old Roller Coaster Male accepts them all as his cubs.

Update received Mar 2009 from Andrew at Mala Mala: The two oldest Styx Pride cubs were sired by the old Roller Coaster Male, seven were sired by either the Roller Coaster Male or the Mapogos or a combination of both, the newest cubs recently born are sired by the Mapogos.

Upadte May 22nd 2009 The last two months have been erratic for the Roller Coaster male. It was reported he had been ousted as the dominant male of the Eyrefield Pride and the Styx Pride by two Mapogos (Kinky Tail and Mr T) that seem to be on a mission in Mala Mala to take control over these prides. The majority of the Styx Pride, with cubs in tow, have fled the area as well as the Eyrefield Pride. Eventually, the old Roller Coaster rejoined the Eyrefield Pride but they have suffered several attacks by the two Mapogos. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of two of the sub adult cubs and members being separated. As of this date, the 3 adult lionesses, 7 sub adult cubs, the old Roller Coaster male along with the young Tsalala male, Solo who has been accepted into this pride, have reunited and escaped into the Londolozi area. Only time will tell what the outcome of this conflict may be.

June 10th 2009 - Where are you "old" man? You were mysteriously missing from the Eyrefield Pride when viewed in Mala Mala.

June 26th 2009 - The old fella reappeared near the West Street area of Mala Mala. He was on his own but looking well. The next morning, he had disappeared once again.

Note of interest:

1. Lionesses from the Charleston pride (Mala Mala) are thought to be sisters or cousins of the Roller Coaster males due to interactions between the pride and the coalition when they were seen together in 2002/2003.

2. It is believed the Roller Coaster Coalition may have fathered the 2 younger Mapogo Males. When the Roller Coasters were a young coalition and still consisted of 5 surviving males, 4 ventured into West Street Males' territory and were reported to have been seen mating with the some of the lionesses of Eyrefield/Sparta pride that the aging West Street males still held dominance over.

The lone surviving Roller Coaster male is a beautiful lion and we can only hope he is able to maintain his dominance over the Eyrefield/Sparta pride and the Styx pride long enough for the cubs to reach independence. Update: Seems the old lion has lost his place as dominant male of the Styx Pride and may well be losing it with the Eyrefield Pride as well.

He is a real "character" too. Rangers in the Mala Mala area often joke how he can find a meal no matter where it is. If it is free and easy, he will locate it. Along with his dislike of having to exert himself to secure a meal, he also seems to have an aversion to fighting/defending his territory. If their is a conflict involving other males, he is more likely to let the girls in his prides handle the situation while he hangs out with the cubs or heads in the opposite direction. All said and done though.... he is a remarkable "old" man!

[bob]

another account...conforming my suspicion that males r easy targets becoz they r slower...also if a croc can take down a 300kg zebra or even buffalo, what a male lion can do?

The Mapogo Males originated from a game reserve called Ulusaba, to the South of Djuma, bordering the reserves of Inyati and Singita. Little is known of their mother, but they are six brothers, all about 7 years old. A Couple of days ago 4 male lions were spotted on AfriCam's Nkohro Cam. A reliable source confirmed my suspicion that it was them. But what about the other two? This is where it gets interesting. One of the two missing pride members is thought to be somewhere in the west close to Elephant Plains and Simbambili, but I am not exactly certain. However, the whereabouts' of the sixth member I am sure of. Aparantly, two weeks ago the Mapogo Males were drinking from the Sand river in Londolozi Game Reserve when a crocodile attacked and killed one of them at the waters edge. This is a rather rare occurrence, but it does happen and it did happen to one of or Mapogo's. So we are down to 5 males, maybe 4.

[bob]

You can see the Python is wrapping around it the King cobra and it can’t even moveFriday January 22, 2010

Python and King Cobra caught after big fight

IPOH: Thinking a two-metre long python will be easy prey, the four-metre long King Cobra decided to have it for breakfast.

However, the two ended up being snared by four personnel from the Civil Defence Department.

The department’s senior civil defence assistant Jasri Mohd Yusof said it received a call at 8am yesterday about two snakes fighting at a playground in Canning Garden.

“When our team reached the site, we found two injured snakes,” he said.

“We believe the King Cobra had wanted to eat the python but the python put up a fight,” he said.

The men took some 10 minutes to catch the reptiles, which will be handed over to the relevant authorities.

[bob]

Kalahari Lion kills Cheetah
11 Feb 2009
13 Jan 2009
Sighting: Male Lion kills Cheetah
Location: Kalahari Plains, Deception Valley, Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Date: January 2009
Observers: Russel Gammon, Kai Collins & Victor Horatius

A coalition of two male cheetah until recently dominated the productive grasslands of the Deception Valley area. One these males tragically met his end last week however. As is so often the case with this species, it was at the 'hands' of a larger predator.

Cheetah as a rule are specialised animals (anatomically; physiologically; behaviourally) that do their utmost to avoid conflict with larger predators such as lion, spotted hyaena, wild dog and leopard. They do so primarily through inhabiting very large home ranges, through their choice of prey and also in hunting at times when other species are not very active. They are diurnal and thus avoid direct interaction with most of the other species (except wild dog).

The two situations where conflict with larger predators is most common occur when cubs are involved (they lose a very high proportion of off-spring to other predators) and on kills made by cheetah. In some studies cheetah have been observed to lose more than 20% of their kills to other predators in a process known as kleptoparasitism. Even warthog, baboon, black-backed jackal and vulture can pressure cheetah on kills.
While staying at Kalahari Plains Camp recently on a Botswana safari we left camp after lunch for an afternoon excursion into Deception Valley. We had seen lion and cheetah among other species in the morning, but on this occasion were shocked to find a dead cheetah lying in the open. The dead cheetah was one of the two-cat coalition mentioned above, and his brother sat nearby in the shade, clearly distressed. The dead cheetah had been seen earlier in week seriously injured with what was suspected to be a broken leg.

After closer inspection we discovered four puncture marks on the lower spine of the cheetah and tracks and signs of a struggle that indicated a lion had been the culprit. We combed the area and found first a sub-adult male lion in very poor condition who was finishing a bat-eared fox that he had probably ambushed and then tried unsuccessfully to dig another out of its burrow (this is not unusual prey for larger carnivores in the arid Kalahari Desert). We didn't think this could be the perpetrator since his condition was so poor (he was battling to walk himself) and so we turned around and headed back up the Valley and found an adult male lion about one or two kilometres from the dead cheetah and decided he was the most likely culprit.

[bob]

notice the dog in deep water swimming towards the prey...the dog put itself at risk becoming prey to the crocs

Wild Dog vs. Crocodile at DumaTau
04 Jun 2010
Location: DumaTau Camp, Linyanti Concession, Botswana
Date: 25 May 2010
Observers: Linda Dice, Ron Syens and Sefo Oganeditse

It was a typical tranquil afternoon in the Linyanti and we were busy watching a bachelor herd of young male elephants bathing in the Savute Channel. Sheer bliss... That all changed however when we sighted fresh wild dog tracks - the pack heading east towards the DumaTau floodplain. We decided to pursue and see what they were up to.

We found the dogs just before sunset. They had just chased a sub-adult kudu right into the water; panic stricken, the kudu must have felt it was the only route to escape. Some of the other dog pack members were also trying their luck on some red lechwe, but gave up the chase and came back to wait and see what the kudu's next move would be - the antelope now mired motionless in the middle of the floodplain. One of the dogs then got into the water to try and force the kudu's next move. In response, the kudu splashed, noisily jumping deeper into the water. Suddenly, the dog swam back to the safety of the bank. The dog's reasoning would become very apparent shortly.

Two crocodiles (between two and three metres long) were then observed approaching the hapless kudu. The first crocodile took a strike and missed, which was enough to drive the young kudu out of the water and right towards the hungry dogs. The chase was on for about five minutes before the kudu ran back into the water again. The light was now fading.

Two minutes later a shimmering wave headed towards the kudu. With the speed of a bolt of lightning, massive jaws came out of the water grabbing the defenseless kudu by the neck and pulling her down into the water, ultimately drowning her. The crocodile had won in this 'match' between these predators of the Savute and made for another riveting wildlife drama in the Linyanti Concession.

[bob]

Savuti's wild dogs make a kill - in the Savute Channel!
24 May 2010
Location: Savuti Camp, Linyanti Concession, Botswana
Date: 15 May 2010
Observers: Kai Kollins, Savuti Camp Managers and Guides
Photographer: Kai Collins

Wild dogs are extremely adept hunters, relying on pack effort and cooperation to bring down mostly medium-sized antelope. A very interesting facet to their hunting technique in the Linyanti is that they often use 'obstacles' such as water courses to corner and catch their prey. Although wild dog frequently swim across rivers and water bodies, they are also at risk in deeper water due to crocodiles - and the Savute Channel has loads of resident crocodiles at present.

At around 8am in the morning we suddenly realised there were wild dogs right in Savuti Camp, directly in front of Room 6 to be precise. As we approached this room on the wooden walkway, we saw the pack running around on a half-submerged fallen tree that stretched out into the Savute Channel.

This seemed rather strange behaviour for wild dogs as they generally don't climb around in trees, and have a sensible fear of water thanks to huge, lurking crocodiles. Next, and to our great surprise, the alfa male launched himself right into the waters of the Savute Channel and started swimming around the branches of the fallen tree. We then noticed the rump of an impala male sticking out of the water, trapped in the tree branches.

Guests just back from their morning drive now succeeded in witnessing the whole event. We can only assume that the wild dogs chased the impala towards the Channel, and it ran along the tree branch and tried to escape into the water but got entangled in the submerged branches and drowned.

The morning sun bathed the macabre scene in golden light and the rest of the wild dogs were now also jumping into the water and swimming around, desperately tugging at the impala, trying to free it from the branches but to no avail - all the while keeping a keen lookout for crocodiles.
The wild dog pack spent a couple of hours trying to free the impala, the dominant male leading the efforts, eventually getting so exhausted he could barely drag himself out of the water and onto the tree stump. They continued their antics of jumping around in the tree branches and pulling at the impala before taking a break and sleeping for a few hours during the heat of the day. They tried again in the afternoon but the impala was firmly wedged, and only the following morning with renewed efforts did they succeed in freeing the impala and devouring it in a couple of minutes. Unfortunately while no one was around to witness this final act in a very unusual drama.

The dogs were lucky that a crocodile didn't steal their meal, it being submerged in the water for so long, and their persistence paid off in the end with what can definitely be called a "hard-earned" meal!

Ever since the Savute Channel has been flowing, it has certainly made for some fantastic and very different game viewing along its banks

[bob]

Mo was on the move immediately, re-exploring his old territories and covering vast distances. A day later he caught a warthog.
Mo stayed true to form, completely independent and an excellent hunter, with prey ranging from small steenbok to large kudus.
Being on his own, Mo learnt a number of “life skill” lessons – avoiding injuries from the horns, tusks or hooves of prey animals and knowing which other predators to avoid. But in spite of the injuries he sustained from a warthog tusk, a young zebra’s hooves and a bite from a leopard, he recuperated quickly and continued to be a champion hunter. Sadly Mo was killed by the territorial Leopard TJ, in November 2006. He was a star!


DEWEY
Dewey met up with three of the Greek Gods during their initial separation from Athena but this was only for a day; when Athena returned, they left him to his own devices. Later in the week he was seen eating a jackal, not the first time he has chosen this unusual prey.
Dewey, however, wandered around aimlessly and seemed to have lost the will to find his own food. We fed him on a number of occasions and then he surprised us by catching an adult warthog. Two days later he had moved away from the kill site but, from his appearance and behaviour, it didn’t seem as if he had eaten anything. He looked a bit thin so we decided to feed him. We realised that something was wrong when we checked on him the next day. He was still in the same place, lying next to his piece of meat, having only eaten a few mouthfuls.

We brought him in, putting him in a holding-camp so that we could keep a close eye on him. He ate for the next two days and then started vomiting undigested food. He lost his appetite and a lot of weight. He was treated for gastritis and eventually the vomiting stopped. His appetite returned and we gradually increased his food intake.
Once his condition picked up and we were sure that he had fully recovered, he was released back into the Rehabilitation Park under close observation. . .
The symptoms of his illness did not reoccur and he was back to catching his own food and taking care of himself. He was doing so well that when his radio-collar­ gave a mortality signal early May 2006, we thought that the collar was faulty. Sadly, this wasn’t the case; Dewey had been killed in a fight with the territorial male leopard.

[bob]

cheetahs weights were much heavier in the past, males were as heavy or even heavier on avg than male leopards, while females often reach 50kg...but due to persecution etc, their weight has dropped a lot...

below is an accurate data on current cheetah weight..

The Cheetah – Acinonyx jubatus

Shoulder height:
Male 79,62cm
Female 77,71cm

Length (tip of nose to base of tail):
Male 132,57cm
Female 127.48cm

Base of tail to end of tail:
Male 77.35
Female 73.73

Weight:
Male 46,25kg
Female 39,40kg

[bob]