Lion MM102, a handsome lion who ranged with his partner across the northern boundary of the reserve.
A male was collared in the north west of the reserve to fill an important gap in the developing pride map. Almost immediately the satellite collar failed and only occasionally returned sporadic data. After 132 days the collar removed with 24 days worth of data, no GPS enabled collar was available at the time, and I decided not to attempt a collaring of the lioness in the area. The lion was part of a pair of males that spent extensive time on lion friendly properties to the north of the game reserve, with free access to drinking water for wildlife. The lion was observed nine more times over the next few months usually on this property. At about the same time the study concluded, an unsubstantiated report was relayed to me that the lion had been shot by neighbouring cattle graziers.
The collar for lion MM102 unfortunately failed and sent only sporadic data over a three month period.
Great website though it is extremely disheartening to hear of so many lions losing their lives to the cattle ranchers. Their incredible struggles to survive to adulthood are so abruptly ended by a shot from a ranchers rifle when the ranchers are the ones encroaching on the lions land. It is incredibly sad. Hopefully much more can be done to prevent these senseless tragedies.