A super pride is a pride of lion numbering more than 15. A pride this size is formidable, able to dominate a large territory.
Conditions have to be near perfect to support and maintain a super pride – a great indicator of an ecosystem’s overall health.
Famous super prides include those in Namiri, Serengeti in Tanzania, The Greater Kruger, South Africa and the Okavango Delta, Botswana.
The Resurgence of Big Pride
In the South Luangwa, home to Zambia’s largest lion population, a super pride ruled the valley for many years.
At its peak, a decade ago, led by the Nsolo coalition, there were as many as 30 lion in the pride. The pride was affectionately dubbed ‘Big Pride’. It was a spectacular sight to see so many lions together and the pride was a huge attraction for visitors.
It is entirely normal for prides to go through cycles and Mfuwe Big Pride has been no exception.
In recent years, changes in leadership coalitions and ageing females resulted in the group splintering and a dwindling birth rate.
But this year the fortunes of Big Pride changed – it welcomed 12 cubs taking its total number to 18. There are 2 males, 4 females and 12 cubs.
Coalitions
Gangs of males, known as coalitions, and usually comprising 2 to 4 brothers or cousins, challenge for the right to breed with a pride’s females, taking over a pride if their challenge is successful. These coalitions enjoy a period of dominance before being challenged by another coalition. Males are in their prime at around 4-5 years old.
Females can breed from the age of 2 years old until around 15 years old but their reproductive health is optimum from around 5-10 years old.
Image: Zambian Carnivore Programme (ZCP) and Kafunta Safaris
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