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James Tyrrell

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James had hardly touched a camera when he came to Londolozi, but his writing skills that complemented his Honours degree in Zoology meant that he was quickly snapped up by the Londolozi blog team. An environment rich in photographers helped him develop the ...

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16 Comments

on Lion Update: The Mhangeni Split

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What’s the biggest or most successful pride in all of sabi

Hi Cameron,
Until recently we could say with confidence it was the Mhangeni pride, mainly because 9 out of an original 10 cubs have made it through to the age of around three, but ‘most successful’ is a difficult term to quantify when it comes to Lion prides, as they go through peaks and troughs of size and efficiency…

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Thank you for today’s very interesting and lively update on these two amazing prides of lions! A welcome relief from the recent troubling reports we received about the heartrending losses amongst the gloriously beautiful Londolozi leopards. It seems inconceivable that lions are so determined to kill another species of “big cats”

Hi Patricia.
It is sad for us, yes, but there is no room for emotion in the wilds where these animals are simply trying to survive…

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Spectate….and hold our breath James…and hope they all survive and live long, healthy lives. I spent a morning in 2013 following the Mhangeni pride, with the nine cubs in tow and the four Lionesses protectively watching over them as they travelled across Londolozi that morning. I am so happy to hear that they have all survived and I still look back on all the pictures I took that morning and it makes me smile to know that whatever comes next for them, they have against all odds, managed to survive the past 3 years, so I have great hope that we will be watching them for many years to come.

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Confusing yes ! But very interesting ! Thank you.

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Hi James. Thanks for the lion update. I love reading your blog posts. Is the male Sparta sub adult still with the Mhangeni pride?

Hi Chris. He is not, unfortunately.
The sub-adults were all found together on Londolozi this morning, and from tracks in the area it seems as though thy were chased off a buffalo kill by the Matimbas at dawn or shortly before. All nine of them are in a group together, but without the Sparta male. I don’t think he has been with them for a couple of months.

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Really interesting ! With growing numbers , is there not a real risk of the leopard population in the area being forced out ? Would love to hear an expert’s views ?

Hi Tony,
There could be a knock-on effect but I doubt it will have a serious impact. The population most likely affected would be that of the cheetahs, but I’ll pass your questions onto Guy Balme, Director of Panthera South Africa to see what he says…

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Any chance of a matimba vs majingilane soon

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I know it’s off topic but any sightings of the Talamati boys recently? I haven’t seen any photos or updates in awhile. I hope they are doing well!

Nothing our side, Dan

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Thank you for the follow up!

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It is a very interesting blog. Thanks Tyrell.
The whole Manhani subs have reunited, good to know the three young males okay!
And also I read from your blog like some new males from KNP had be entering Londolozi who chased off the Manhani young males few days ago? So are they still arround or have went back KNP?

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Sorry , i just misunderstood the reading. You were talking about the future that some new males ……I take back my question then..

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