The following excerpt from the Thakadu newsletter takes up the tale:
The saddest news we received in December was that the famous Batia Brothers (the two male lions that roamed the Park for years) had died. They were very old for free roaming lions (16 years old in fact!)
These two males were icons in Madikwe and most guests visiting us would have seen either of these two fantastic males or at least have heard stories from their guides.
The one male died after being wounded by a buffalo that he had killed. They were found lying side by side. For an old male lion to be hunting buffalo at his age and killing the animal, just showed again (and for the last time) how incredibly unusual these males were.
His brother was last seen alive at almost the same time on the opposite side of the Park.
Their legend will live on in Madikwe for as long as the sun goes down over the Inselbergs.
Portfolio sends condolences to all who loved and worked with these magnificent creatures.
View and book accommodation at beautiful Thakadu River Camp in the Madikwe Game Reserve the North West Province.
(Image: Joy-Anne Goodenough. All rights reserved)
