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MalaMala Diary Entry: 27 March, 1998

Lion viewing has been good over the past few weeks, with the Styx prides and Charleston prides being the most frequently encountered. Other families of lions which have been seen include the Eyrefield, River Rocks and Marthly prides. It is not known whether the young (approximately two-month old) cubs of one of the older Styx pride females are still alive. The two older females of this family have moved away from the other members of the pride - the other adult female and the eight approximately two-year old cubs. Although the eight youngsters would almost certainly be able to fend for themselves, they are still quite inexperienced and must prove a frustrating burden for the one adult lioness which has spent the last week or so with them.

Wild dogs made a reappearance recently at Mala Mala, the pack in question thought to be the same which last winter had a den on the reserve. As can be expected with these dogs, their stay was brief but exciting. One of the highlights was a sighting of them killing an impala and then having the carcass stolen by hyenas, but not before they made a valiant effort to save their hard-earned meal.

The large herd of buffalo this week had to see off three adult male lions which spent at least 24 hours trying to catch one of them. At the end of it the buffalo won and the lions gave up. Male lions are large and powerful and are better than lionesses at killing strong animals such as buffalo. Nonetheless, both food and water for the buffalo are in plentiful supply and they are in good condition, making it quite easy for them to resist any attacks.

White rhino are at this time of the year spending most of their time wandering between areas of short grass - very often created by themselves repeatedly grazing the same areas - and the shrinking supply of mudholes. As the dry season approaches so the Sand River will become all the more important as the main supply of water. Rhino from as far afield as the Kruger National Park will move to this area, often at night, to quench their thirst.