Somebody will look for the tracks on every game drive, around every corner and under every bush. The water holes are scoured, old carcasses are analyzed and common resting spots, such as Marthly Pools, frequented. All this to no avail… the new Tsalala Pride lion cubs are well hidden and we are literally pleading with them to give us just a glimpse!
The funny thing is despite the shy presence of the new cubs and our respect of the lionesses boundaries, we still get to witness the extraordinarily cute original 4 Tsalala Pride cubs on a daily basis. Inevitably what begins in a search for the new cubs results in a spectacular sighting of these 4 youngsters playing rough tumble with their mother or simply just basking on a large granite boulder in the Manyelethi River’s morning sunlight.
Tsalala Cubs on Granite Rock by John Holley
It’s funny how the mind works when something brand new arrives – the latest release, the newest model or the shiniest toy – we are so quick to disregard what was originally giving us the most satisfaction in pursuit of what we perceive to be better and more unique. Often, the humbling lesson that we quickly learn in nature is that new is not always better, more satisfying or even easier – sometimes it is just better to stick with what is working well for the time being, in the knowledge that everything will take place in its own unhurried time…
Tsalala Four Cubs Looking by John Holley
Despite the excitement about finding and viewing these brand new Tsalala Pride lion cubs, the young four that we have been watching at Londolozi for the last few months are still just as beautiful and breathtaking as before and although we continue to search for the new cubs, we take just as much pleasure and excitement in spending time with the original ones.
Photographed by: John Holley
Written by: Rich Laburn
Finally we managed to find the 4 cubs again this morning.
Its been almost a week since we had them seperately from the new born cubs.
Awesome sighting in and around Shimpalapala.
You are so lucky to see such gorgeous creatures on a daily basis – believe me housework does not have the same appeal !!! Fabulous photos, thank-you. I am sure the new Mum will present her cubs in good time and, cameras at the ready, we will all be able to witness another little miracle.
Too true Sheena, glad that you enjoyed the pictures. Thanks for your comments.
Such lovely pictures. So nice to be able to remotely see these cubs growing up well! and this blog is so scarily true. There is always a trend towards wanting the new and the exciting – a quest for the big 5 always top of mind – but the bush is filled with animals, birds, trees alike that are just as sensational day after day. I hope people start to truly love and appreciate the little things too. thanks for the post 🙂 really hit home with me.
How is the cub with the hip that was out of whack…has it straightened out or is he going to have problems with it in the future?
@Vince, it seems as though the hip has straightened out. We frequently see the cubs running around and playing rough and tumble all together so for the moment it looks encouraging. Thanks for your interest. Rich
Very beautiful pictures. What has become of the old tailless lioness and older female cubs? Are they still around?
@Kk, at the moment we haven’t seen them for about 2 months. They headed west in Ottowa at the end of March and are keeping, it seems, a low profile away from the Majingilane Coalition. Glad you enjoyed the pictures, thanks for the comments.
What is the sex of those 4 cubs?
@Bader, the sexing of the cubs three females and one male.
A well written piece Rich, with some great photos by John.
It is often exactly how you say it is, with everyone excited about the ‘next big thing’ in the bush; who will be having cubs next, which pride will make a kill nearby? etc… and in so doing we do sometimes need to be reminded to appreciate what we have in front of us.
These four Tsalala cubs have been delighting guests and rangers alike for the last 5 months, and as they continue to grow, are sure to provide endless hours of viewing pleasure as they mature into formidable young hunters. They are already at that stage where they are starting to lose some of their cub cuteness and are starting to look like actual lions, and in the next few months we should begin to see them honing their stalking and fighting skills that they pracitce so readily on each other, in anticipation of one day beginning to catch their own prey.
Because the area they are currently inhabiting has a smaller population of hyenas than south of the Sand River, allied with the fact that the only other group of lions they are likely to encounter with any kind of regularity is the Majingilane coalition (who sired them, and as a result should not be a real danger), the threats they face from other large predators is significantly smaller than cubs in other parts of the reserve. Although lion cub mortality is traditionally quite high (between 50-60% do not reach the age of 1 yr), the current Tsalala youngsters are thriving. Their mother and aunt are very successful hunters, and they are currently residing on some of Londolozi’s prime real estate for cubs.
Let us hope that they continue to do as well, and their newly born cousins with them…
James, thanks for your comments and insights. It is truly helpful in helping followers of this pride in better understanding the different dynamics at play out here in the wilderness.
Rich, this is for you rather than the blog. Does Londolozi publish a calendar? The photos you have from the Rangers are such good quality (the ones of the cubs that John Holley took are stunning, the light is wonderful) has the management ever thought of raising funds for a charity through a calender – I seem to remember you support an education scheme or such like – it is common practice in Europe and brings excellent rewards for both the issuer and the beneficiary. Perhaps they already do this, so forgive me if I am being presumptuous.
Hi Sheena, at the moment we do not publish a calendar, rather we sell the great images in our Living Shop. It is a nice idea, however the big challenge is finding efficient and streamline distribution channels for everybody who would like to purchase the calendars overseas. Any ideas?
As for our education project, the Good Work Foundation is the organisation which Londolozi supports. This organisation is indeed focused on literacy in rural areas and we are continually looking for ways in which to raise money for the GWF’s education projects.