A video by Pondoro guides of the big Mohlabetsi male lion mating with 2 lionesses during the past week. They say that you must make hay when the sun shines and the Mohlabetsi male seem to have taken this advice to heart. It often happens that lionesses in the same pride synchronize their estrus cycles as seems to be the case with these two lionesses of the Impalabos pride.
Lionesses can roar just as loud as their male counterparts although the roar of a male is of a slightly lower frequency and said to be audible over a range of at least 7 kilometers. Even further on cold and wet days when the denser air carries sound a lot further. The only times that I have seen lionesses roar was when they were in the presence of a male or otherwise when in estrus and roaring to advertise their services. They would never have to wait too long before the first suitor arrives. I am sure that the Mohlabetsi male could not believe his luck when 2 lionesses were waiting and no other competitor arrived to share in the spoils. My only explanation for the non arrival of his younger partner is be that he might already be preoccupied with exactly this kind of activity.
Lions mate approximately every 20 minutes for a period lasting up to 5 days which can add up to 250 times over the period. I am sure the Mohlabetsi male did not really thought this through! Multiply by 2 and all you will get is a very, very exhausted lion. The guides saw him during yesterday’s afternoon safari drive and waited for about an hour in order for guests to see the lions get up and mate, but he completely ignored the advances of both lionesses. No wonder.