Matimba Male Lions
Big on Wild
A history of the six Matimba males, written in the week Ginger died.
Deceased
Slit Nose
Also known as Slitnose · The Northern Matimba Killed by the Avoca Males
c. 2006/07 – January 2017
Born in Ngala Game Reserve, beside Kruger National Park, South Africa
Slit Nose was one of the six Matimba males and, after the coalition split, one of the three Northern Matimba with Shaka and White Face. He was named for the split in his nose.
The Matimba were six male lions from Ngala Game Reserve beside Kruger National Park in South Africa: five related males born around 2006–2007 in the Birmingham Pride, most likely sired by the three older Skybed males, and an older outsider, Ndhuna, whom the pride adopted. In 2010 they took over the Manyeleti Game Reserve, becoming the pride males of all its prides, and spread into Kruger, Ngala and the northern Sabi Sand. After Ndhuna disappeared in 2012, the five split into two groups: the Northern Matimba (Shaka, Slit Nose and White Face) and the Southern Matimba (Hairy Belly and Ginger).
After Shaka died around 2016, Slit Nose and White Face struggled to hold their ground against younger males. In January 2017 Slit Nose was killed after a fight with the Avoca males, also called the Giraffe males, which finally broke the Northern Matimba’s hold on most of their territory and left White Face alone.
6Males in his coalition
3Northern Matimba
~7Years of reign
2017Year he died
Profile
Identity
- Name
- Slit NoseThe name he is best known by
- Nicknames
- Slitnose
- Origin of the name
- Named for the split in his nose
- Sex
- Male
- Distinguishing features
- A split nose
- Weight
- Information not availableFor reference, adult male lions usually weigh 150–260 kg
Birth & Family
- Born
- c. 2006 – 2007
- Birthplace
- Ngala Game Reserve, beside Kruger National Park, South Africa
- Birth pride
- Birmingham Pride
- Father
- Information not availableBelieved to be one of the three Skybed males; not confirmed
- Mother
- Information not availableA lioness of his birth pride; not identified
- Siblings
- Shaka, Slit Nose, White Face, Hairy Belly and Ginger; Ndhuna (adopted)
Reign
- Pride king
- Yes, a pride male of the Northern Matimba
- Prides ruled
- With the Matimba: the Manyeleti prides; later prides of Ngala and northern Manyeleti
- Pride size
- Information not available
- Reign
- About 7 years (2010 – January 2017)
- Ruled with
- His brothers; after 2013 Shaka and White Face
- Coalition
- The Matimba
- Home range
- Ngala, northern Manyeleti and the Orpen area of Kruger National Park, South Africa
- Territory size
- Information not available
Death
- Died
- January 2017
- Age at death
- About 10 years
- Cause of death
- Killed by rival male lionsThe Avoca males, also called the Giraffe males
- Place of death
- Ngala or Manyeleti area, South AfricaNot recorded exactly
- Burial
- Information not available
Names & Meanings
Slit NoseName
For the split in his nose. Also written Slitnose.
MatimbaCoalition name
Usually translated as strength or power in Xitsonga (Shangaan). They are also called the Phelwane or Clarendon males.
Family & Lineage
Believed fathersSkybed malesThe three older Skybed males ruled Ngala when the Matimba were born and are believed to have sired them. Not confirmed.
Birmingham Pride lionessMotherNot individually identified.
SlitnoseSlit Nosec. 2006/07 – 2017
Adopted brother · the eldestNdhunaAn older male from another pride, adopted into the Birmingham Pride. Disappeared in 2012.View record →Brother · Northern MatimbaShakaThe Matimba with piercing eyes. Died c. 2015–2016.View record →Brother · Northern MatimbaWhite FaceThe last Northern Matimba; died of old age in December 2017.View record →Brother · Southern MatimbaHairy BellyThe last of all six; died in early 2021 at about 15.View record →Brother · Southern MatimbaGingerHairy Belly’s partner to the end; died of mange in August 2019.View record →OffspringCubs of the coalitionFathered with his brothers across the Manyeleti and Sabi Sand prides. In a coalition, which male fathered which cub is usually unknown.
Life Story
- c. 2006 – 2007
Born in the Birmingham Pride of Ngala Game Reserve, beside Kruger National Park.
- 2010
With his brothers took over the Manyeleti Game Reserve, becoming pride male of all its prides.
- 2010 – 2012
The six expanded into Kruger around Orpen, into Ngala and into the northern Sabi Sand.
- 2012
Ndhuna, the eldest, disappeared.
- Late 2012 – 2013
The coalition split into the Northern Matimba (Shaka, Slit Nose, White Face) and the Southern Matimba (Hairy Belly, Ginger).
- 2013 – 2016
Ruled Ngala, northern Manyeleti and the Orpen area with Shaka and White Face.
- c. 2016
Shaka died, leaving Slit Nose and White Face.
- January 2017
Killed after a fight with the Avoca males. White Face was left alone.
Legend & Truth
The end of the north
Until Slit Nose died, the Avoca males had not fully ousted the Northern Matimba. After his death, White Face held only the Skorro Pride.
Photographs
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Photograph coming soon
Film
The film of Slitnose’s life is coming soon
Animation
An animated story of Slitnose’s life is coming soon
Documentaries & Features
Sources
- Big on Wild — Matimba male lions
- Africa Geographic — The lion coalitions of the Greater Kruger
- WildFact forum — A compiled history of the Matimba coalition
- WildFact forum — Matimba’s male lineage
Where sources disagree, the most widely reported figure is shown, with other reports noted beneath it.