Coalition · Ended

The Mapogo Coalition

Also known as The Mapogos, the Sparta Males · Sabi Sand, South Africa

2006 – 2013

Origin: Sparta (Eyrefield) Pride, Londolozi and MalaMala area, Sabi Sand, South Africa

The Mapogo coalition was a group of six male lions who dominated South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve, beside Kruger National Park, from 2006 to 2012. Five of them were brothers born around 2001–2002 in the Sparta Pride, also called the Eyrefield Pride, on the land of Londolozi and MalaMala. The sixth, the older and larger Makulu, had joined the pride as a young outsider in 2000 and is believed to have been their half-brother.

Coalitions of six males are rare. The Mapogos took their first territory in the northern Sabi Sand in 2006 and went on to hold as many as eight prides, killing rival males, lionesses and cubs on a scale that shocked guides; some of their victims were eaten. Their name is said to come from a security company known for its harsh methods, and the word is often translated as vigilantes or rogues.

The end came in stages. In June 2010 the incoming Majingilane males killed Kinky Tail, and Rasta and Dreadlocks were lost later that year. On 16 March 2012 the four young Selati males killed Mr. T. Makulu and Pretty Boy fled east and lived on as nomads; Pretty Boy reportedly died in late 2012, and Makulu was last seen in January 2013, at about 15.

Members

M Leader · half-brother Makulu c. 1998 – c. 2013 The oldest and largest. Last seen alone at MalaMala in January 2013. Read the full record M Satan · the mohawk Mr. T c. 2002 – 16 March 2012 Killed by the four Selati males. Read the full record K Brother · Mr. T’s partner Kinky Tail c. 2002 – 8 June 2010 Also called Shaka. Killed by the four Majingilane males. Read the full record P Brother · Bent Spine Pretty Boy c. 2001 – late 2012 One of the last two. Reportedly died in late 2012 with Makulu beside him. Read the full record R Brother · Pretty Boy’s “twin” Rasta c. 2001 – mid-2010 Vanished in late July or early August 2010; believed killed by the Majingilane or by poachers. Read the full record D Brother · Snip Tail Dreadlocks c. 2001 – late 2010 Left the reserve and was killed by people outside it. Read the full record

6Members

~6Years of reign

8Prides ruled

2012End of reign

Profile

Coalition

Members: Makulu, Mr. T, Kinky Tail, Pretty Boy, Rasta, DreadlocksSome sources treat Rasta and Dreadlocks as one lion and add a male called Scar or Skew Spine
Relationship: Five brothers and an older half-brotherMakulu is believed to share a father with the five
Origin / birthplace: Sparta (Eyrefield) Pride, Londolozi and MalaMala area, Sabi Sand, South AfricaThe five brothers were born around 2001–2002
How it formed: Grew up together in the Sparta Pride and left it around 2005–2006

Reign

Area: Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa
Prides ruled: Up to eight prides, including Othawa, Ximhungwe, Tsalala, Styx and Sand RiverReported; they held them at different times
Took over from: The four males of the northern Sabi Sand (2006); the Kahuma males (Styx Pride, 2007)
Reign: About 6 years (2006 – 2012)
Territory size: Information not availableAbout 70,000 hectares is often given; not verified

End

End of the coalition: Kinky Tail June 2010, Rasta and Dreadlocks 2010, Mr. T March 2012, Pretty Boy late 2012, Makulu c. 2013
Successors: The Majingilane males (north and east) and the Selati males (west)

Names & Meanings

The Mapogo CoalitionCoalition name

Said to come from Mapogo a Mathamaga, a security company known for its harsh methods. The word is usually translated as vigilantes or rogues.

The Sparta Males / Eyrefield MalesOther names

After the pride they were born in.

MakuluMember

Also spelled Makhulu; a word meaning big, for his size.

Mr. TMember

For his mohawk-like mane. Also called Satan and the Mohawk male.

Kinky TailMember

For the kink in his tail that guides used to recognise him. Also called Shaka.

Pretty BoyMember

For his handsome looks.

Rasta & DreadlocksMembers

For dreadlock-like tufts in their manes.

Story of the Coalition

2000
A young outside male, later called Makulu, joined the Sparta Pride.
c. 2001 – 2002
The five brothers were born in the Sparta Pride, sired by the West Street Males.
c. 2005 – 2006
The six males left the pride and lived as nomads, becoming expert buffalo hunters.
2006
Took the northern Sabi Sand, killing one of the four resident males and the cubs of the Othawa Pride.
February 2007
Killed and ate a male known as Rocky.
June 2007
Mr. T fought Makulu and lost; the coalition split for a time.
December 2007
Defeated the two Kahuma males and took the Styx Pride lionesses.
8 June 2010
Mr. T and Kinky Tail killed a Majingilane male; that night the other four Majingilanes killed Kinky Tail.
2010
Rasta and Dreadlocks were lost, leaving three.
16 March 2012
The four Selati males killed Mr. T. Makulu and Pretty Boy fled east.
Late 2012
Pretty Boy reportedly died.
January 2013
Makulu was last seen, at about 15.

Legend & Truth

Who were the six?

Lodges each used their own names, and MalaMala used none at all, so accounts disagree. Most list Makulu, Mr. T, Kinky Tail, Pretty Boy, Rasta and Dreadlocks; others merge Rasta and Dreadlocks and add a scarred male called Scar or Skew Spine.

Kill counts: estimates, not research

Reports say the Mapogos killed anywhere from about 40 to over 100 lions. These figures come from lodges and a former reserve warden, not from published research.