Mapoza, a symbol of strength, power, and success in Thornybush, has fallen from his throne.

With heavy hearts, we report on the great lion that was Mapoza, as we bid farewell to the legacy of the Thornybush Reserve. We will surely miss this iconic lion, who had such an interesting story…

It was around five years ago that we were first graced with Mapoza’s imposing presence in Thornybush. With his one large blue eye (which we believed was glaucoma), he surely stood out and quickly became a guest favourite among the wildlife on the reserve.

Already bonding with the Giraffe pride, which frequents the eastern side of the reserve, Mapoza slowly and patiently infiltrated a space to call his own. At the time, there was a lot of competition between different males for territory within Thornybush, but after a few conflicts with competitor males, he realised it was a feat he couldn’t conquer alone. He then left Thornybush, found two younger nomadic males, and bonded with them; they are known as the Skukutzu males. With his new companions in tow, Mapoza returned to Thornybush and began to rise to dominance.

There was a period when he was associated with three separate prides of lions, giving him many opportunities to pass on his impressive genetics to the new generations. When his two companions, the Skukutzu brothers, left him, he lost territory and became restricted to the north of the reserve, spending most of his time with the Monwana pride—a pride so large it has become famous in its own right around the greater Kruger Park.

We all knew Mapoza as the king of Thornybush, and as many of us have witnessed, where the Monwana pride is growing, there the king was not far behind, protecting his offspring. He really was living the life of an untouchable king, but with all kingdoms, a time comes when a throne is overthrown…

Recently, there have been sightings of a younger coalition of four males, known as the Black Dam males, appearing in the reserve. After a year of the Black Dam males pushing further into Mapoza’s territory, we can report that they have finally succeeded in taking over his domain.

Mapoza spent months trying to avoid these younger competitors and remain in his territory. Unfortunately, he was no match for the four big, younger males and eventually had no option but to flee.

After his disappearance from the reserve for quite some time, we have received reports that he returned to a nomadic lifestyle, and further reports indicate that nothing has been seen or found of his remains. It is time to make a reasonable assumption that he, the King of Thornybush, has joined the wild in the sky—to keep guard over Thornybush for eternity.

As sad as it is to see the king dethroned, his many offspring carry on his strong genetics into the future, allowing the legend that was Mapoza to live on. We cannot wait to see what will unfold next in the legacy of the lion.

Mufasa: A king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here and will rise with you as the new king.
Simba: And this will all be mine?
Mufasa: Everything.