About the Author

James Souchon

Field Guide

James started his guiding career at the world-renowned Phinda Game Reserve, spending four years learning about and showing guests the wonder of the incredibly rich biodiversity that the Maputaland area of South Africa has to offer. Having always wanted to guide in the ...

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31 Comments

on Update on the Tsalala Breakaway Pride

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Thanks for the update really great to see the Matimbas back especially with other sites reporting their death. Solid reporting. Looking forward to the first pictures of the cubs

Member
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So excited about this new turn of events….the Tsalalas have ALWAYS been my favorites!!

Member
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Welcome back Matimbas. It was nice trip all over kruger.

Member
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Great blog James. The story of the tailless lioness’ life is truly remarkable. These two females are truly amazing. The lion dynamics is really fascinating. Thank you for sharing. May they all survive to carry on the legacy of these very brave lionesses.

Member
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Hi James ,
glad to read you !By the way , have you seen these little cubs again we were lucky to photograph last time ??
Keep well and we hope to see you later !

Hi Dina, yes they were part of the Mhangeni Pride and we have seen them. They are getting quite big now. Send my best to Guido. Hope to see you soon!

Member
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Fascinating to follow!

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I was so fortunate to be one of the first to witness and photograph these new cubs from the tailess tsalala thanks to the excellent tracking and persistence from Tracker Richard and Ranger James. Great story. I do hope they decide to make Londolozi their permanent home. I look forward to following their progress. Glad I got to witness part of this story.

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HOW EXCITING . GOD BLESS THE LIONS ESPECIALLY OUR HEROINE TAILESS LIONESS . WITH SUCH ADVANCE AGE , HAVING CUBS ? WELL GOOD LUCK TO THEM ALL.

Member
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Thank you well written .Have the Mighty Matimbas reunited with their cubs and females in the core Taslala pride yet?Are there any pics of them .Thanks in advance

Hi Mishal, as far we know they have not. Will be sure do get some pictures if they do.

Member
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So interesting & looking forward to the next episode.

Member
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Have Tailless’s cubs been sexed yet ?

Hi Mishal, they have not yet as they are still very small we have only had long distance views of them

Member
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To James Souchon. You were our ranger at Phinda a few years back. Recall the warthog kill in the grasslands when the leopard ran the warthog into the side of our vehicle? We sent the picture to you? We had been in Londolozi Tree Camp just before Phinda Vlei. Good luck at Londozi

Hi Cheryl and Lee, I still have that picture hanging on my wall! I hope you are both doing well. Are you planning another trip soon? Would be great to drive you again! Regards, James

Member
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Love tailless Tsalala. Strong and brave lioness.

Member
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Hi James! Great article.

Few days ago this blog reported the presence of Majingilanes around the Tailless lioness den. Now suddenly you mention the Matimbas. Are the Matimbas really back to Londolozi?

Hi Georgel, in the last week we have had a few sightings of the lighter maned Matimba Male and only time will tell if it’s a permanent move back or not. The Dark maned Matimba has not been seen on Londolozi recently but there were reports of him to the North and East of our reserve. The Majingilane Males were around for a day or two before moving back west. Thanks for reading.

Member
Guest

I find the stories of the different prides so fascinating particularly their interaction with each other. What an inspiring lioness the tailless female is and her amazing story of survival is truly the stuff of legends. Thank you for your great blogs, I so look forward to reading them.

Member
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cant wait for your comments and pictures each time !!! to beautiful

Member
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I love hearing of the Tailless lioness and her band of merry youngsters.. What a wonderful mother she has been to these young lions.. I hope we have a few more years to enjoy her and her progeny. She is around 14 or 15 now isn’t she?

Hi MJ, Yes she is about 15 years old. She really is incredible.

Member
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Nice thanks

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Are Matimbas really back? Who has seen them?

Hi Gabri, there were a few sightings of the lighter maned Matimba Male a few days back.

Member
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My recent visit to Londolozi opened a new world for me with the interwoven stories of the lion families . I was brought to joyful tears as I witnessed the three males sleeping at the foot of the koppie where the cubs were last seen. I also was privy to spotting one of the Matimba lions stating undercover in the bush! I love following these lions now and look forward to more updates! Bless you all !

Member
Guest

The MATIMBAS ARE BACK and that means the matshiphri males are in trouble. And I think that the matimbas will beat them and get back their territory and the Magheni breakaway females.

Member
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I will !I’m glad they are doing well !
Warm regards to Cath

Member
Guest

Great update, James! The young males are becoming beautiful, strong adults, like their fathers. I first saw them as young cubs and I’m so happy to see them healthy and doing well. I hope the Tailless Female will be able to keep her cubs safe. It seems that her difficult days will continue for a while longer. I hope she will finally have some peaceful days ahead. The pictures are beautiful, thank you for sharing!

Member
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James souchon, has there been any new reports of the matimbas?

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