SOCIAL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CHEETAH MALE COALITIONS

02/21/2020

Cheetah social life is complex – unrelated males form alliances and keep bonds as long as it benefits all members of a group. Probably, under certain circumstances, one of the members may start looking for the alternative group to join. Recently, we observed interesting behavior of a male who was trying to join unrelated male coalition. On 19 February, on their way to Talek river, Tano Bora (coalition of 5 males) spotted two males: Mkali (Bright in Maa) and Mwanga (Light). Fortunately enough, two males spotted the biggest Mara cheetah coalition and rushed towards the river, followed by five sprinters. For some time, all 7 were making sounds indicating aggressive and defensive behaviors deep inside the bushes on the slope of the river. After a few hours, only three individuals remained on the spot: Mkali, Mwanga and Olpadan (ex-leader of the Tano Bora coalition), while four others left. For several hours, Olpadan was following two coalition-mates without any attempt to harm them, but trying to sniff young males and rest nearby. In return, two males displayed defensive behaviors, and often, Olpadan was displaying submissive behavior (sat with the back towards the males). Probably, after losing his leading position among his group members, he attempted to join younger males. Next morning, Mkali was in 1.5 km, calling for his coalition-mate. At the same time, Olpadan was calling from under the same tree where Mkali and Mwanga were resting the previous day. When in the afternoon, three out of 5 males (Leboo, Winda and Olonyok) appeared in the area, Olpadan did not attempt to approach them. Sitting in the shade, he was watching them and calling several times. None of the males responded. In over an hour, after unsuccessful hunt and joint rest in the bush in 300m, they slowly approached Olpadan, who was not confident in the beginning. It is interesting, that if one of the males leaves coalition for a day or two and then returns to the group, Olpadan meets him aggressively. Three males accepted him peacefully. By the evening of 20 February, two males were still missing – Olarishani from the Tano Bora coalition and Mkali – coalition-mate of Mwanga.