The Selati Males

The Selati Males were a coalition of young male lions in the Sabi Sand of South Africa, named, in MalaMala’s custom, after the area or pride where they were first seen. Followers believe they were grand-nephews of the Mapogos. Guides never gave them names; the four who made their mark were known only by numbers, from #1 to #4, the last nicknamed Ginger Mane.

Early in 2012 they caught the Mapogo Pretty Boy alone, but Makulu and Mr. T arrived to save him. On 16 March 2012 the four entered the last of the Mapogo territory from the south, singled out Mr. T and, attacking in turns, left him paralysed; he died that evening. Makulu and Pretty Boy were driven out, and the Selatis became the males of the western Sabi Sand, with the Othawa, Ximhungwe and later the Talamati prides.

The coalition dwindled over the next five years. One male died of an injury; Ginger Mane (#4) died in February 2017; and the last Selati disappeared later in 2017, leaving the Talamati Pride without males until the Northern Avocas arrived.