At the start of the year it was still only Kenge’s cubs that were making regular visits out of the den to interact with the rest of the pride. But on 11th January Ashanti appeared out of the grass, with her two cubs in tow. Immediately the important business of play started between the four youngest Ngamo cubs, with Ashanti’s younger two managing to hold their own very well against the slightly larger KE pair. See over for a montage of a year in the life of these cubs. It’s all about territory: the Ngamo pride’s defensive response is put to the test
As we all know the lion is the only truly social cat of the larger felid species. Research upon wild prides has suggested the reason as to why the modern day lion has evolved to become a social mammal is down to territory. Nearly all large felids will hold a territory during a certain period of their life time and this area will contain all the natural resources it needs to survive and thrive. However, holding onto a territory and its resources can be tricky. What if your neighbour, who might be bigger and stronger, decides they prefer your territory to theirs? Do you stand your ground and fight risking injury and even death, or do you run with your tail between your legs and hope to find another territory elsewhere? It would appear the modern day lions' ancestors were faced with such a dilemma. Over time those lions that fought alone and roamed alone did not survive but those that began to team up did. The complexities of behavioural evolution and the effects of environmental pressures eventually led to the formation of prides. Those lions that defended a territory together were far more likely to retain that territory and consequently the resources contained within it. Those lions that are unable to claim a territory and defend it successfully are less likely to survive and breed successfully, so having a chum really does count! The most common territorial behaviour lions exhibit is of course, roaring. This unique and infamous vocalization advertises a pride's territory and warns others to stay away. Here in Ngamo however the lions are living a fairly easygoing life not having to worry about intruders threatening their territory. We often hear the pride roaring in response to other lions at Antelope Park but this appears to be more a habituated response than truly territorial. The Ngamo lions may even consider those other lions as distant pride members within their territory. It is a vital component of cub development that they understand the importance of territorial defence. Female cubs will begin to actively partake in territorial defence from just 8 months of age alongside their mothers and aunts. The cubs born in Ngamo will not encounter other lions until Stage 4 perhaps, but it is crucial they are aware of what it means to protect your home! It was decided then that our research team should begin to carry out a playback study. With the research vehicle within the release site with the pride, a second vehicle was parked outside the site behind a thicket c. 200m from the fence line. The sun began to sink and air began to lift; perfect roaring conditions. However light was fading and rigging up the speakers was taking some time. By Murphy’s Law the pride began to move off out of sight before the playback could be started and we daren’t follow for fear of the research vehicle muffling the playback. We had no choice by the time Milo disappeared along Route 66 and began to slowly follow. Fortunately just then the speakers were switched on and the first play back (of 1 male and 4 females) was broadcast. The playback started out rather softly and neither our researcher, PhD student nor volunteers could hear the roars…but the lions did. As the roaring from the speakers increased more pride members’ ears twitched and all began to turn back. Suddenly Milo shot like a raging bull towards the sound of these foolish intruders. He bellowed with all his might in response and vanished into the mopane woodland. The females began to follow quickly, though not roaring, with AT1 taking a central position amongst the group. Narnia lagged behind as Kenge called to the younger cubs and began to lead them off elsewhere, to safety. A second playback was sounded sending Milo into a further territorial spin before we sent the speakers back to camp. We observed Milo pacing the area from which the roaring was heard and frequently roaring to warn those unknown lions: ‘dare thee not enter!’ This result was more than what we ever hoped to observe. The Ngamo pride, despite having never encountered wild lions, reacted exactly as any wild pride would; Milo running to the prides defence, the females following in pursuit, the oldest cub partaking in defence and the mothers leading the younger cubs to safety. Should there ever be real intruders in the Ngamo pride’s territory they may find themselves wishing they had kept quiet!