Guide News – September 2024 - Mabula Game Lodge

Written by Isaiah Banda

As spring arrives, we can anticipate the bush coming to life, bursting into bloom and showcasing a remarkable variety of wildlife. The energy in the air is electric, with new life emerging in every nook and cranny. You can feel the shift among both guests and guides, a shared excitement for the beauty and vitality of the season.

Although we haven’t seen rain lately, the landscape hasn’t completely changed, allowing us to still enjoy the golden hues of the dry grasslands. The thickets are gradually thickening, but they remain sparse enough to provide clear views of the animals as they move through.

And just like that, September has come and gone. The first month of spring is behind us, and life at Mabula is beginning to flourish. This month has been truly remarkable for wildlife sightings, with an abundance of exciting encounters. We’ve been particularly fortunate with predators, enjoying memorable views of wild dogs, cheetahs, and lions.

Spring’s diversity has gifted us with a wealth of sightings this month. We’ve spotted everything from black-backed jackals to a formidable buffalo bull among the herd, and a majestic male lion, who, while looking rather lethargic, still shows off his impressive canines as he yawns.

Mabula’s stunning plains draw in large numbers of game species, particularly zebras, wildebeests, elands, and sizable herds of impala. When we think of stripes, the first animal that comes to mind for many of us is undoubtedly the zebra.

At Mabula, we have the plains zebra, the most common species in the reserve. One of its most distinctive features is the brown shadow stripes that run between the bold black and white stripes. But what’s the purpose of these striking patterns? Why would an animal be adorned with such bright black and white stripes?

Don’t get me wrong; it’s beautiful and captivating to see a dazzle of zebras on an open plain or to admire a majestic stallion on its own. However, our first thought is often that they must be easy targets for predators. While many animals blend seamlessly into the bush with colors that match their surroundings, the zebra’s striking black and white pattern can seem to stand out like a sore thumb.

Lions are among the primary predators that target zebras. Interestingly, they have fewer cone cells in their eyes compared to humans, which means they perceive colors differently and see fewer colors overall. As a result, a zebra’s bright stripes appear less prominent to lions than they do to us.

When a zebra stands against a dark background, its black stripes blend in, leaving only the white stripes visible. This creates a visual illusion that makes it hard for lions to recognize a solid, three-dimensional animal. Additionally, when a herd of zebras flees from a predator, their stripes merge into a dazzling blur, making it challenging for the predator to single out an individual.

Lions are among the most well-documented wild animals on the African continent, and at Mabula, we are fortunate to observe them in their natural habitat. Watching the pride interact at Mabula Game Reserve is truly fascinating. Each day, we discover new and intriguing facts about these majestic creatures as we watch them.

A pride of lions is led by females, but there isn’t an alpha female. Instead, prides are made up of generations of females who collectively own and defend their territory. Males, however, typically leave the pride around two years old, forming coalitions with their siblings to take over new prides, challenge rival males, and establish their own territories.

Most social mammals have a hierarchical structure for females, where older females dominate reproduction within the group, supported by younger ones. In contrast, lionesses form a more egalitarian sisterhood, with each lioness breeding at similar rates. They collaboratively raise their young, finding strength in their numbers.

Lionesses in a pride often synchronize their reproductive cycles, resulting in births occurring around the same time. A notable example is when our two lionesses recently gave birth to their current cubs almost simultaneously. This behavior enhances the pride’s reproductive success, as it enables mothers to rely on each other for protection and increases the number of cubs, thereby boosting the chances that some will survive to adulthood. Additionally, the ability to allo-suckle allows all the mothers in the pride to nurse cubs of similar ages, fostering a supportive environment for their young.

While female lions are the primary hunters, male lions can hunt as well. Many people believe that males don’t hunt, but they are quite capable. Lionesses are known for their cooperative hunting strategies, but male lions also participate. Once male lions become independent and leave the pride at around three years old, their survival instincts kick in, and they must hunt to navigate their nomadic journeys.

While females work together to hunt for food, male lions typically hunt alone, ambushing their prey from dense vegetation. Both prides and male lions often employ the ambush technique, striking from a short distance. However, males have a considerable size advantage, allowing them to use their strength to take down larger prey such as antelope and buffalo.

Male lions with darker manes tend to be more dominant and hold higher status. Unlike most cats, male lions have manes, and those with longer, darker manes often have higher testosterone levels, fewer injuries, and greater maturity. Lionesses actively seek out males with strong genetics for breeding, and a dark mane serves as a key indicator of a male’s genetic fitness.

A lion’s roar is influenced by the unique structure of its vocal cords. If you’ve been fortunate enough to hear a male lion’s roar, you know it’s loud, resonant, and deep. Unlike most species that have triangular vocal folds, lions possess flat, square folds that are about an inch thick. This design enables the folds to endure significant stretching and tension, resulting in their powerful and commanding roar.

Humans can hear a lion’s roar from up to eight kilometers away, and individuals from different prides and coalitions can detect roars from even greater distances. They can also recognize each other based on the distinct tones of their roars.

Lions are truly remarkable animals, brimming with fascinating traits that make them the undisputed kings and queens of Mabula Game Reserve. From the intricate dynamics within their prides to the thunderous resonance of their roars, every aspect of their lives showcases the wild beauty and complexity of nature. Here, we are privileged to observe these magnificent creatures in their element, deepening our understanding and appreciation of their world. The more we learn about lions, the more we uncover the wonders that await us.

The dynamics of lions on Mabula are truly captivating, especially when the pride is gathered around a kill. The cubs, now 9 months old, add to the excitement as they feed on the carcass. The commotion among them is a remarkable sound to behold, and despite their youth, their voices are surprisingly powerful.

Typically, the priority is to consume the internal organs first, as they contain the most moisture. This is usually followed by the hindquarters, which provide some of the best meat for the pride.

When lions are feeding on a kill, they can become quite aggressive, even toward each other, as food is essential for their survival. A hierarchy is established, with the more dominant lions feeding first. Typically, male lions eat first, as their size and dominance allow them to take precedence over the females. They will feed until they are satisfied, and once they’ve had their fill, they will eventually allow other lions to join in.

Next, the dominant females typically move in to feed. While they hold a parental role, they often allow their cubs to eat alongside them, and in some cases, even before they finish their own meal. If the females haven’t eaten enough, they prioritize their own nourishment, knowing that without them, the cubs won’t survive and will be unable to hunt for themselves. Thus, the mothers ensure their own health while also caring for their young.

Although the reflection makes the water appear clean, it isn’t, and the lions are still discerning about where they choose to drink. It’s a privilege for us to observe our dominant male lion at the water’s edge in this moment.

Shortly after drinking, he made his way back to the kill where he had left the rest of the pride. He enjoyed his share of meat without getting involved in any disputes. As he approached, the cubs came to greet him while he lay a few meters from the kill.

Incredible sightings, indeed! Among the first to greet us are the majestic African elephants, the gentle giants of the Mabula savannah. With their impressive size and calm demeanor, they inspire both respect and admiration.

Whether they’re peacefully grazing on lush vegetation or quenching their thirst at a watering hole, encountering these magnificent creatures is a humbling experience that leaves a lasting impression on the soul.

Guests often ask us guides about our favorite animals, and it’s never an easy question to answer given the incredible diversity, complexity, and beauty that surrounds us. Yet, when I reflect on the emotionally moving moments I’ve experienced here, the majority involve elephants. Still, I always say that all animals are my favorites, even though I have a list of personal preferences.

The richness of elephant communication goes far beyond what humans can hear or see. From the distinctive trumpeting that resonates through the bush to the subtle nuances of body language and the silent exchanges carried out through infrasound and chemical signals, elephants use a wide variety of methods to express their thoughts, emotions, and intentions.

As often seen in the complexities and wonders of nature, these gentle giants traverse the landscape, shaping it to their will. They roam endlessly, creating pathways, altering landscapes, and influencing ecosystems, yet there is still so much to learn about them. There’s always a deeper layer to their existence, one we are only beginning to grasp.

Cheetah Scent Marking

Most of us begin our day by reading the news and checking our messages, which help us make decisions like choosing our route to work or planning lunch with a friend. This month’s cheetah sightings were especially memorable. When I asked my guests what they hoped to see on one of our morning safaris, they all exclaimed, “Cheetah!” Cheetahs, too, read their surroundings using their noses, leaving messages in specific patches of grass or on certain trees. Many of the scent-marking behaviors seen in dogs are also observed in cheetahs and other wild animals.

In addition to depositing urine and scat, cheetah scent-marking involves rubbing their cheeks or bodies against trees and raking their hind feet at the marking site. We were fortunate to witness this behavior during a morning safari here at Mabula. Cheetahs leave their scent on trees, termite mounds, and even man-made objects that stand out in the landscape.

Certain scent-marking sites are popular among cheetahs and are used repeatedly, becoming vital communication hubs. These scent messages inform them about other cheetahs in the territory—are they dominant males or females looking to mate? Just as we use hashtags on social media to ensure our messages reach a wider audience, cheetahs utilize these markings to convey important information.

Cheetahs have specific criteria for selecting the ideal tree to leave their scent, ensuring maximum “engagement” in their communication. They look for trees with a sufficiently large stem circumference that they can climb and that are highly visible. This selectiveness is crucial, as effective scent marking enables cheetahs to share their territory while minimizing aggressive encounters.

Instead of using text messages like we do, cheetahs rely on scent messages to connect with their companions. Male cheetahs often form close associations with their brothers, known as coalitions. While these males may occasionally separate during hunting, scent marking plays a crucial role in their communication, known as intraspecific communication.

But do cheetahs and other predators interpret each other’s messages? Interspecific communication through scent marking is quite common among many animal species. Our observations of cheetahs here at Mabula, along with other carnivores countermarking on top of scent marks from different species, show that information flows across species boundaries.

Male cheetahs typically take longer to return to sites previously visited by lions and leopards compared to those marked by hyenas and wild dogs. In fact, female cheetahs often avoid scent-marking sites altogether when they detect the scents of larger predators, whether naturally present or experimentally introduced.

Other carnivores in cheetah territory could potentially inhibit breeding by preventing female cheetahs in estrus from signaling their status to nearby males. To counter this, cheetahs utilize multiple closely spaced scent-marking sites, a behavior that helps maintain their lines of communication in areas shared with dominant predators.

The dry winter season can be challenging for many species as waterholes and sources start to dry up, prompting remarkable responses in the natural world.

Waterbirds of Mabula

One fascinating adaptation can be seen in the behavior of birds that feed on fish. This phenomenon showcases the incredible resilience and adaptability of wildlife.

As we anticipate the first rains of the season, waterholes that were once bustling with life are now drying up, prompting the creatures that rely on them to seek out alternative sources of food and water for survival.

Birds, renowned for their resourcefulness, have swiftly adapted to these changing conditions. Species like herons, egrets, and kingfishers have been observed employing their keen hunting skills to catch fish from the shrinking pools of water. These birds have perfected their fishing techniques, using their sharp beaks and agile movements to snatch fish from the dwindling waterholes. Main Dam and Hunters Dam are particularly lively, as both have very low water levels currently.

What stands out about this behavior is the remarkable intelligence and adaptability displayed by these birds. They have recognized the changing landscape and adjusted their hunting strategies accordingly. Rather than relying solely on traditional hunting grounds, they have broadened their range and diversified their diets to include fish, ensuring their survival in the face of adversity.

The sight of birds catching fish as waterholes dwindle is a striking testament to the resilience and adaptability of nature in challenging times. It exemplifies how wildlife can respond to changing environmental conditions and highlights the interconnectedness of all living things in Mabula Game Reserve.

A herd of buffalo is a remarkable sight and an unforgettable experience. The symphony of deep bellows, trampling feet, crunching grass, and the incessant chip-buzz of oxpeckers is unlike anything else. It offers a truly immersive sensory experience with one of Mabula’s formidable “Big Five.” As the herds rush across the dry landscape toward their favored main dam, clouds of dust rise around them, and wisps of black wings follow, creating a striking visual of movement like a dark wave across the green pasture.

These fighter-pilot-like birds are fork-tailed drongos, taking advantage of insects disturbed by the grazing animals’ movements. Occasionally, these birds will issue a false alarm to prompt the buffalo to quicken their pace. Buffalo possess excellent senses; their large, hairy ears hang down below their curved horns, and while their hearing and sight are sharp, their sense of smell is the most acute. They primarily rely on this keen sense to locate food and detect predators.

Buffalo have a broad row of incisor teeth that they use alongside their tongues to swiftly crop grass while on the move. Unlike more selective feeders, they lack movable lips. Naturally inquisitive, buffalo approach points of interest with their noses lifted and outstretched, gathering olfactory clues to decipher the identity of the object. They also use their sense of smell for social communication.

The coordination among the many members of a herd is guided by olfactory cues that help recognize individuals and facilitate the grouping of animals into sub-herds. Vocal communication also plays a significant role; buffalo emit cow-like bellows continuously as they move to maintain contact with one another.