Shifting Thrones
on Dec 02, 2025In the wild, power shifts frequently, and seldom without conflict. Among many social mammals, especially lions and some primates, the drama of territorial takeover is one of nature’s most intense displays of strategy, strength, and survival. While it may look chaotic at first glance, these takeovers and the seemingly unusual mating arrangements that follow - are rooted in deep evolutionary logic.
In this part of the Greater Kruger National Park, male lions do not rule alone. Coalitions, usually made up of brothers or long-term allies, band together for a single purpose - to seize control of a valuable territory and the females within it.
These coalitions often challenge resident males in fierce battles. If the takeover succeeds, the new males gain access to hunting grounds, shelter, and most importantly, reproductive opportunities.
It has been some time since we last shared an update on the young N’waswishaka males, who have been tirelessly manoeuvring through the southern reaches of Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. They arrived in full force, moving into what appeared to be an almost vacant territory at the southern end of our reserve - seemingly abandoned by the formidable Gijima males, who have been steadily expanding their already vast domain.
As things stand, the Gijima males have not been regularly present in the Sabi Sabi area for a while - perhaps appearing only once every two to three weeks. Such infrequent patrols do little to maintain a territory of that size. Several clashes between the two coalitions have been witnessed, and in both encounters, the Gijima males emerged victorious. But their dominance comes at a cost. Driven by a mix of power, greed, and the relentless demands of survival, the Gijima males now find themselves stretched thin, unable to move through their enormous territory as often or as effectively as they should.
Holding a territory is far more difficult than winning one. Even in defeat, the four males have remained within the area, moving unnoticed as they slip into prides left unattended by the Gijima males. It’s a slow takeover - a genuine shift in power and dominance.
During our observations, we followed the roaring of male lions in the early morning, assuming it came from the Gijima males who traditionally control this region. To our surprise, it was the four N’waswishaka males, scent-marking confidently as if declaring the land their own. With them was the large Msuthlu Pride female, and the coalition erupted into competition, each male vying for a chance to get closer to her.
The largest of the four males appears to hold the upper hand over the others, and he was the one who repeatedly succeeded in mating with the female - even though she attempted to mate with the other males as well. The constant growling, snarling, and bouts of aggression among them revealed shifting displays of dominance and submission within the coalition.
What does all this mean for the Gijima males? It signals a hostile takeover. The Msuthlu Pride, although long roaming the reserve, is beginning to accept these four males in the southern part of their territory. Could this mark the end of the Gijima’s reign in the Sabi Sabi area? Is it the dawn of a new era in the lion kingdom of Sabi Sabi? Have the power dynamics shifted completely, with new rulers now in control, or will the Gijima males eventually reclaim their domain? Only time - over the coming days, months, or even years - will reveal the outcome.
As it stands, it appears that the four N’waswishaka males have effectively secured the territory, having begun mating with the resident females that once belonged to the formidable Gijimas. While it may seem surprising - or even excessive - for multiple males to mate with the same female, this behaviour serves important evolutionary purposes, such as maximising the female’s reproductive success. In the wild, survival and reproduction follow a logic shaped over millions of years.
Territorial takeovers are not merely violent clashes; they are resets in the evolutionary game board. Multiple males mating with a single female is not just about competition - it is a strategy that ensures protection, stability, and the survival of future generations.
It is less about domination and more about cooperation, continuity, and the collective strength of the species.
Blog by Ronald Mutero (Selati Camp Ranger)
Images by Ronald Mutero and Ruan Mey
