I never enjoying writing pieces like this. Those of you who follow the continual lion warfare unfolding in the Sabi Sands may have a sour taste in the back of your throats as you read this…
On Saturday night/Sunday morning one of the Sparta orphan cubs was killed. Her body was found on the morning game drive and has left a gaping hole in the Londolozi family.
I consider myself part-lion, so any death in the local lion population hits me quite hard. Sadly, the newest death hits on very emotional strings as we have just posted a piece about this very lion. In this last post we spoke about how encouraging things had been for these orphans and how the Sparta Pride were appearing to be ‘looking after’ the two.
We have stitched together the events (tracks and sightings) that brought about the demise of this 8 month old cub. I will briefly mention these below…
On the evening of the 9th June three Sparta females were left hunting in the eastern portions of Londolozi. Together with these three females was one of the two orphans. She was desperately trailing the adults, trying to keep up with them as the manouvered around the area of Fluffies and Plaque Clearing.
Earlier that day we had followed the three Tsalala adults (the Tsalala Sisters together with the Original Tailless Female) as they were being chased across the width of Londolozi by the Scar-Nose Majingilane. They managed to make good distance between the male and eventually lost him in the Sand River. The three exhausted lionesses had run over 10km in the late morning heat. They finally settled down to sleep in the Sand River near to Plaque Rock.
On the morning of the 10th June the remains of a wildebeest were found on Plaque Clearing. Tracks suggested this animal had been killed by the Sparta Pride that previous night.
The Tailless Female and the rest of the Tsalala Pride were found in the western portions of Londolozi. When tracked backwards it became evident that these animals had run directly through Plaque Clearing and the one lioness in particular, the Original Tailless Female, was incredibly fat and still had a face covered in dry blood. All three lionesses were constantly roaring and looked evidently distressed. We knew when we found them that there had been some encounter that night!
On closer investigation of the wildebeest carcass the dead lion cub was found. It’s back and front right leg had been snapped/broken. It’s front paws were still caked in blood suggesting that it had been feeding on the wildebeest carcass, a mere two hundred meters away.
It is our understanding that on account of all these clues we can safely say that the Sparta Pride had managed to kill the wildebeest. Whilst feeding on the well earned meal the Tsalala Females, who were only about 500 meters away at the time, heard the commotion and arrived on the scene. It was a case of three on three. The older, stronger Tsalala females must have won the battle and chased the Sparta Pride off their meal. In the process they caught the young orphan cub and easily dispatched of this little girl. None of the Sparta Pride members were found on the morning drive so we hope this is the only casualty.
In my books this goes down to pure bad luck. The Sparta Pride had been lured into the outskirts of the Tsalala Pride territory because of a wildebeest herd. Hungry bellies will take risks. The Tsalala females had been chased by males into an area in which they have spent very little time of late. The Sparta Pride must have made a great kill. Completely unbeknown to them was that their ‘rival’ pride was resting 500 meters away!
Many say that lions are lazy and that they sleep all day! It’s only when you know the full story that you have full respect and an understanding for what these animals go through. It is not easy being a lion!
Picture of the two Sparta cubs taken a few months ago
Written by Adam Bannister
HI ADAM, THANKS FOR FILLING US IN ON THE DEVELOPMENTS WITH THE SPARTA CUBS. THIS IS VERY SAD NEWS, BUT THE BUSH IS NEVER PREDCICTABLE AS YOU KNOW.
KIND REGARDS, TED.
I cried the whole time for this orphan cub. I felt already sad for them because they are so skinny and now this. R.I.P. little cub, now she is with her mother. What about the other one. I hope she will make it to adulthood, but I don’t think she will make it, becuase her sister is not around anymore. I will stop writing now. again R.I.P.
Adam,
Thanks for the update, but what devastating news! As you know, I had much hope for these little cubs. Nature can be cruel! Please keep us updated on the sister. What was once a dire situation for her is likely even more critical now. But miracles do happen. I hope fron the bottom of my heart this is one such situation.
All the best to you guys,
PEJ
Good hearing from you Pej. Sorry it is regarding this sad news. The bush can be very cruel sometimes! Hope you guys are well
Very sad. Do lionesses usually kill cubs of rival prides too? They seem to kill other adults, but I thought they would leave the cubs alone, unlike the males. Also why is the Scar nosed male chasing them around? He seems very comfortable with the Sparta pride and the Styx pride. These are his cubs too, so wondering why the Tsalalas do not have a very good relationship with them. Plus three lionesses against one male, should even up the odds?
Now the other poor orphan has to be alone-cruel, but perhaps it will increase the odds of her survival with just one less mouth to feed?
All very good comments. All with answers that are unknown and debated amongst the rangers and trackers
Rotten luck! Wonder where the two female cubs from the Tsalala pride are.
Hi Adam, it was only yesterday you wrote a piece about their wellbeing. Now this sad story emerges. I really feel sorry for you guys living with these creatures. This is very harsh to witness. I am already sick with all the loss of lions in your part of the world. May be I will decide to stop follow lions
Wodaj it is indeed sad. But so it is meant to be. Just remind yourself, as do I have to do often, that for every death out here there is a birth. The Sparta Pride currently has 3 wonderful little cubs, the breakaway tsalala have all recently mated so new life is on it’s way!!! There is so much goodness with lions. Dont forget that. They always exhibit true peace and are always content with who they are and they live life in the present. They are powerful animals. Keep following and keep learning!
Thanks Adam. You are absolutely right. I was forced to say what I said due to the deep sorrow I felt. They are wonderful creatures and hope the lion population will recover soon as you said. I developed special attachment to Sparta pride due to Mapogo connection and their willingness to accept Orphans. Unfortunately, the pride is struggling at the moment with many loses. Hope the remaining cub makes it to independence.
I knew it, i know this would happen, the same happened with the cub that was lost a few months the past year.. in both cases, cubs had a hard time, survived and were killed… nature is not fair, this girl just wanted to eat, is not fair..
Oh no….sad news indeed, I caught up on the Blog last night and the situation seemed hopeful. Adam, thanks for the excellent description of how events unfolded. Bush life sure is hard, especially if you’re a little guy.
Such sad news. I had such high hopes for these two cubs once they found their way back to the pride. Hopefully, the second cub will get a chance to become an adult. Thanks for the update even though it was devastating news.
Ohhhh, so sad. I’m a bit confused, however. You say the Tsala females appeared to have been chased off by the scar-faced Majingilane male, but weren’t the Tsala female sisters the ones mating with the 4 Majingilane males (brothers) a few weeks ago when I was there?
Rae those lionesses mating were part of what I call the ‘Breakaway Tsalala Pride’ this ‘pride’ consists of four young lionesses who are mating for the first time. It is their mothers and grandmother that make up the real ‘Tsalala Pride’!
Poor little thing, I had such high hopes for them after the picture showing the lioness suckling the orphans along with her own cubs.
Very sad to hear Adam. You all must be devastated! Ah mother nature can be cruel at times…hope the remaining cub can make it without her sister. Thanks for the update. 🙁
Lions do what lions do.
So sad…
So sad
The temptation to help is always there I think, particularly with individuals that you have watched grow up. However life and death are so intertwined here-the death of one animal invariably means life for another. It would be impossible to decide which animals to help and which to leave to their own devices. You couldn’t simply help those that you feel some sort of attachment to. As brutal as it is, this is a natural process. Lions have done this to each other for thousands of years and a species they are stronger for it. Provided we can conserve the environments they live in, I believe we need to allow it to play out with as little influence from ourselves as possible.
Despite all this, that feeling of sadness will always be there when something like this happens.
So sad to hear Adam. However brief, spending time with these amazing creatures has created a strong connection. It is made all the more soulful thanks to your detailed descriptions of the prides. Brings tears to my eyes but at the same time, your words are encouraging … there is so much goodness with lions. “They always exhibit true peace and are always content with sho they are and they live life in the present.” Thank you for your wise and comforting thoughts.
…we are as sad as everyone else is…. Paul and I were just watching the video last weekend that we made when the cubs were eating on the carcass of a giraffe back in mid April with their Mother and Auntie. I am not looking forward to breaking the news to work tomorrow who are also following the cubs and the Londolozi lions story.
So sorry. I was just talking about the orphans this morning and saying how tough life must be for these beautiful animals. Part of the great cycle, I guess, but sad none the less.
Adam, thank you for your very heartfelt reporting. Truly, I feel the same sadness as if I was there with you to find the lion cub. While sometimes I am very sad to read the news, I am always grateful to your blog reporting. I feel part of the family as it is, but to be able to read, many times on a daily basis, all that you see on a daily basis helps make up for the fact that I cannot be there myself. Thank you for sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s all part of the very over used phrase – “circle of life.”
Best, Jenifer
Reunited with her mother, running pain free amongst the angels. Rest in peace little one.
What sad news!
The other end of the situation even more difficult
really bad news…
This is truly heart-breaking as I was there when they reappeared unharmed on May 11. We were all so hopeful about their future. At least I hope the other female cub is still thriving and will reach adulthood! Thank you, Adam, for your sensitive reporting.
Karen
This is so sad. Kira and I have some beautiful pictures of those cubs from our recent visit this past May. I am sorry for that loss.
Hi Adam
That is so sad to hear after all the trials those two cubs have been through. Whilst luck plays a big part in their survival it appears this young cub was extremely unlucky. Let’s hope the other cub gets through.
Heartbreaking to think of her on such a long trek only to come to such a tragic end! And of course so sad for the sister left behind, but luckily not alone. It’s curious that such a little cub would have followed her aunties on a hunt especially when the other babies stayed behind. At what age do cubs normally start to join the adults? Do they start by following and observing? Or do they typically only join once they can assist in a kill? I wonder if their mother were still alive if she would have allowed her to tag along. So sad. But thank you, Adam, for the update.
Even tho it was a long time ago, it’s still so sad.