Deceased

Hip Scar

Also known as Hip-scarred Majingilane · The Gentle Soul of the Majingilane

c. 2004 – February 2017

Born in Orpen area, Kruger National Park, South Africa

Hip Scar was one of the four Majingilane, the coalition of male lions that ruled the Sabi Sand Game Reserve beside Kruger National Park from 2010. Named for the scar on his left hip, he walked with a pronounced limp and was usually the one trailing at the back. Fans called him the gentle soul of the four, but rangers saw him charge into battle against intruders, and without him the coalition could probably not have held its land for so long.

The Majingilane were born around 2004–2005, most likely in the Orpen area of Kruger National Park, and arrived in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in early to mid-2010 as a coalition of five. On 8 June 2010 the Mapogo males Mr. T and Kinky Tail caught and killed the youngest of them, and that same night the remaining four hunted down Kinky Tail and killed him. When all five Mapogos came for revenge in July, the four withdrew into Kruger, then returned. Over the next eight years they ruled almost half of the Sabi Sand, dominating the Tsalala, Breakaway Tsalala, Fourways, Styx and Sparta prides and later following the Mhangeni lionesses west.

His old injury worsened as he aged. In early February 2017 he was seen almost skeletal, and within ten days he was dead: his carcass was found in the western sector of the Sabi Sand, partly eaten by scavengers. He was the first of the coalition to die, at about 12 or 13, after almost seven years in the reserve.

~7Years in the Sabi Sand

~12Age at death

1stOf the four to die

4Males in his coalition

Profile

Identity

Name: Hip ScarThe name he is best known by
Nicknames: Hip-scarred Majingilane
Origin of the name: Named by Sabi Sand guides for his most obvious feature
Sex: Male
Distinguishing features: A scar on the left hip and a pronounced limp
Weight: Information not availableFor reference, adult male lions usually weigh 150–260 kg

Birth & Family

Born: c. 2004 – 2005
Birthplace: Orpen area, Kruger National Park, South AfricaNot confirmed; some accounts say the Manyeleti area next to Kruger
Birth pride: Information not availableNot known; reportedly a pride with a reputation for hunting buffalo
Father: Information not available
Mother: Information not available
Siblings: Dark Mane, Scar Nose, Hip Scar, Golden Mane and a fifth male (brothers or close relatives)

Reign

Pride king: Yes, a pride male of the Majingilane; lowest-ranked of the four
Prides ruled: Tsalala, Breakaway Tsalala, Fourways, Styx and Sparta prides; later the Mhangeni prideDominant over five prides at once at their peak
Pride size: Information not available
Reign: About 7–8 years (2010 – 2017/2018)
Ruled with: His Majingilane brothers
Coalition: The Majingilane
Home range: Central and eastern Sabi Sand Game Reserve, including Londolozi, South Africa
Territory size: Information not availableAt their peak the coalition ruled almost half of the Sabi Sand

Death

Died: February 2017Seen skeletal on about 5 February; dead within ten days
Age at death: About 12–13 years
Cause of death: Natural: weakness and old injuryHis mobility had become severely limited
Place of death: Western sector, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa
Burial: Information not availableHis carcass was found partly eaten by scavengers

Names & Meanings

Hip ScarName

Named by Sabi Sand guides for the scar on his left hip. Also written Hip-Scar.

Hip-scarred MajingilaneFull name

The form used by some guides.

MajingilaneCoalition name

Coined for watchmen who patrol the night, marching with intent and never changing course.

Family & Lineage

Not knownParentsTheir parents were never identified; they arrived from Kruger as young adults.

Hip-scarred MajingilaneHip Scarc. 2004 – February 2017

Brother · first-rankedDark ManeThe most dominant of the four and the last to go, in 2018. His body was never found.View record →Brother · second-rankedScar NoseDark Mane’s constant companion. Died in early 2018, the third to go.View record →Brother · third-rankedGolden ManeAlso called the Missing Canine male. Died in early 2018 after a buffalo injury.View record →

BrotherThe fifth MajingilaneThe youngest of the five. Killed by the Mapogo males Mr. T and Kinky Tail on 8 June 2010.

OffspringCubs of the coalitionFathered with the Majingilane brothers across five prides; in a coalition, which male fathered which cub is not known. The Tsalala pride alone had 11 cubs by them, of which 3 survived to 2012.

Life Story

c. 2004 – 2005
Born, most likely in a pride near the Orpen area of Kruger National Park; some accounts say the Manyeleti area, in a pride known for hunting buffalo.
Early – mid 2010
Arrived in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve from Kruger as one of five young males.
May 2010
The coalition was seen for the first time on Londolozi.
8 June 2010
The Mapogo males Mr. T and Kinky Tail killed the youngest Majingilane. That night the remaining four, including this male, tracked down Kinky Tail and killed him.
July 2010
When the five remaining Mapogos marched east for revenge, the Majingilane withdrew into Kruger, then returned once the Mapogos had gone.
2010 – 2012
Took control of most of Londolozi and the central Sabi Sand, and became dominant over five prides: Tsalala, Breakaway Tsalala, Fourways, Styx and Sparta.
October 2012
The coalition caught an intruding young male on their southern boundary and mauled him until a bull elephant charged and he escaped.
2011 – 2016
Usually at the back of the group, but in the thick of every fight with intruders. Once fought Dark Mane over the right to mate with Sparta lionesses, settling the hierarchy.
Early February 2017
Seen in very poor, almost skeletal condition.
February 2017
Died; his carcass was found in the western sector of the Sabi Sand, partly scavenged.

Legend & Truth

First or second to die?

Londolozi, which followed the coalition closely, reported Hip Scar as the first to die, in February 2017. One website lists him as the second; this record follows Londolozi.

The one at the back

Coalitions depend on numbers. Even a limping male adds weight to roaring contests and fights, and Londolozi’s rangers credited Hip Scar with helping keep the territory.