The Styx Pride of Lions are occasionally also referred to as the Mlowati Pride and are mainly resident in the Mala Mala Game Reserve. They have been in existence for several decades.

History

Styx Pride occasionally referred to as the Mlowati Pride possibly referencing their past association with the Mlowathi/Mlowati males that use to dominate them.

Home Territory is mostly in Mala Mala.

This story starts in early 2000. The Styx pride consisted of a total of eight. One adult lioness of approximately 10 ½ years in age, four sub adult males two of which were a little over 4 yrs of age and two approximately 3 ¾ yrs of age who reached independence around November 2000, and three sub adult females. 4 ¼ yr of age. Though this pride has been in existence for nearly three decades possibly more, these 4 lionesses (1 adult, 3 sub adults) were the beginning of the pride we know today. The pride, as it existed then, were one of few that managed to stay out from under the dominance of the forceful West Street Males. The West Street Males were a coalition of five males that sired many of the lions we still see today in the area including the six Mapogo Males/Eyrefield Males.

An interesting note about this pride, back around 2000 two lionesses reportedly broke off or were separated from the Styx pride and became known as the Sandy Patch aka Safari pride.

In 2009 the pride consisted of seven lionesses, only 2 Styx lionesses from the original 4 are still alive. They are 2 sisters that are now 13 yrs of age. The other 5 are surviving cubs from the original 2000 core of 1 adult and 3 sub-adult females.

Approximate age of the 7 Styx lionesses in May 2009

2 Adult lionesses appx 13 yrs and 8 mos

1 Adult lioness 8 yrs and 1 mo - Sired by one of the Mlowathi Males

1 Adult lioness 7 yrs and 3 mos- Sired by one of the Mlowathi Males

2 Adult Lionesses 5 yrs and 9 months - Sired by one of the Split Rock Males

1 Adult Lioness 5 yrs and 7 mos - Sired by one of the Split Rock Males

Cubs: In July 2008 they had 11 to 12 surviving cubs. As of Mar 2009, the exact count of cubs was uncertain but there are at least 9 and possibly more with speculation of recent births by at least one lioness.

In 2006 they had cubs by the Split Rock males. One of the males died in 2006 and the other old male maintained control of the Styx pride until mid 2007 when he was pushed out by the Roller Coaster males. Prior to the Styx pride being taken over by the Roller Coaster males, they lost all their cubs by the end of 2006 probably from infanticide by the Roller Coaster males.

Mid 2007, one of the Roller Coaster males was killed by a Crocodile. Since then, his brother has maintained dominance over the Styx pride and is believed to be the Sire of their current cubs. There have been a number of reports of the Styx lionesses seen mating with males from the Mapogo Coalition but the old Roller Coaster male is usually in attendance with the Styx pride and accepts the cubs as his. So don’t tell him they might not all be his.

Reports indicated the two oldest cubs were sired by the Roller Coaster male, the other seven it is unsure rather it was the Roller Coaster or the Mapogos or a combination of both that sired them. Early 2009 reports indicate another lioness has very young cubs that were sired by the Mapogo/Eyrefield males.

There have also been several reports of the Styx pride fighting off Mapogo Males when they came near their cubs which leads one to believe the old Roller Coaster male did sire the older cubs.

The Styx pride has always been known as "hard" Mothers. They haven’t had much success in raising cubs for a number of years. 2008/2009 seemed to bring about a new mission for the Styx Pride.... to raise these cubs to adulthood and protect them ferociously. And as they do most things, the Styx will do this on their own.

Their dominant male, the old Rollercoaster/Roller Coaster male, left the Styx pride in 2009 during the continuing attacks by the Mapogos. With the Styx pride on the run, the old Roller coaster male joined with his other pride, the Eyrefield Pride, who also were under constant attacks. Finally with his life in turmoil, constantly on the run, unending attacks, his strength gave out and he died Jan 1st, 2010. A very sad day for all who knew the magnificent male.

The beginning of 2010, the Styx pride has been whittled down to 5 adult lionesses and 4 sub adults (1 male, 3 female). One adult lioness went missing after attacks by the Mapogo Coalition mid 2009. Another lioness died of her injuries received either during a feeding frenzy or aggressive mating session while with the two Mapogo males known as Mr T and Kinky Tail while on a Hippo kill (Aug 2009). The cubs have either been killed in attacks by the Mapogos or did not survive after being separated from the pride due to these attacks. Two of the five adult lioness are separated from the core pride and may have recently given birth. The sires of these cubs would be the two Mapogo Males that control territory in Mala Mala (Kinky Tail and Mr T aka Mlowathi Males).

The loss of two adult lionesses during 2009 is a great blow to this pride that has endured for all these years. Hopefully, the three sub adult females will survive to adulthood and help bolster their numbers.

Update through July 9, 2010 - After repeated attacks mostly from the two Mapogo/Mlowathi males (Mr T & Kinky Tail) the Styx pride are down to only 3 youngsters known to be surviving at this time (1 sub male and 2 sub females). In June, one adult Styx female was found dead in Londolozi. Most likely she was killed by the Tsalala pride. It is believed she was the lone Styx lioness with recently born cubs.

During most of June, 4 adult lionesses and 4 sub adults were being seen usually in separate groups. The young male had been injured and one of the sub females was also injured and in very poor condition with mange. Eventually, the young female disappeared. The young male seems to have recovered.

The most recent reports have been of only 3 adult lionesses and the 3 sub adults. The 4th adult lioness is missing and may be dead. Could it be the once seven strong Styx lionesses are now down to only three adults surviving?

Styx Pride at the end of 2009:

1 Adult Lioness - 14 Yrs 3 Mos

1 Adult Lioness - 8 Yrs 8 Mos

1 Adult Lioness - 7 Yrs 10 Mos

1 Adult Lioness - 6 Yrs 4 Mos

1 Adult Lioness - 6 Yrs 2 Mos

1 Male Cub - 1 Yr 9 Mos

3 Female Cubs - 1 Yr 8 Mos

*Information/background has been gathered from various sites (Mala Mala , Djuma, Nkorho , Elephant Plains, Arathusa) and their sightings databases along with helpful Rangers and staff at the various lodges and reserves answering questions sent their way.

Written by Colleen and Karen