About the Author

Rich Laburn

Head of Digital

Rich is the driving force behind Londolozi’s online storytelling and the founder of the Londolozi blog. His passions of digital media, film and photography have seen him build Londolozi's online ecosystem into a unique platform for advocacy of the restoration and rewilding of ...

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23 Comments

on Lion Warfare – Southern Pride Sadness

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Linda
Guest

I hate seeing any young beautiful creature go to waste. Thanks for keeping us updated.

Mele Andru
Guest

Nice written this story… we all hoped this young coalition will be next Mapogos in Sabi Sand but in life nothing is guaranteed …
They are still 4 males and need 1-2 years to became power enough to defend themself.
On the other hand Majingilanes suffered the same story – they were 5 at the beggining and exactly 1 year back one of them was killed by Mapogos. That is lion’s business ….

Penny Parker
Guest

Such a tragic tale. But thanks for the share. You have a lovely way of writing. There is a difference between telling a sad story, and telling a sad story so as to bring out the same intense emotions in the reader. you’ve definitely cracked it!

Me
Guest

Impressive stuff, nature is cruel, survival for the fittest.

Well written Talley. A sad moment but one which was never too far off the horizon. The next issue is to try work out whether the devastation of that night extended beyond just the realms of the Southern Pride and into the Tsalala Pride…we will keep you all updated!

WELL DONE TALLEY!!!
Guys please keep me in the loop on the Tsalala Pride I am on the road now and really hope they are OK…. thanks!

Jane West
Guest

Talley, this was a mesmerizing story and one that will continue to haunt those of us far removed from the action. Reading it almost made me think of how fabulous it would be to set your blog to music! It’s beautifully written! PLEASE keep us updated!

gloria
Guest

R.I.P oh mighty lion you were so brave you died bravely

Morty
Guest

Rich, how old was the male that died?

Hi Morty the male lion was about three years old.

Denise M.
Guest

Hi Adam & Rich, I believe we watched those fierce Majingilane 3 devour a kudu (spelling?) then walk, with their bellies so full it looked as if they were pregnant, to the watering hole. After drinking, they collapsed into what I imagined would be a deep and peaceful sleep…..but I guess it was just long enough to regain their massive strength to protect their territory.
I am so sad about the beautiful young male that was killed, but I get it….that’s how it works. I believe his spirit has moved into a yet to be born lion cub or maybe some other animal being born in the bush….this very moment 🙂
Beautifully written story Talley and great photos Rich and Adam.
Big hugs from Florida,
denise

panting misty breaths of menace

Great writing….had me hooked from the beginning. Mahalo from Hawai’i.

Linda
Guest

Adam, what do you mean the devastation continued to the Tsalala pride??? Did something else happen?? thanks for keeping us in the loop.

Hi Linda, yes unfortunately since that night we have not seen two of the four cubs of the Tsalala Pride. In fact we have hardly seen the Tsalala Pride members in the last week. They seem to be lying low at this point…more info will follow when we work out what is happening in Marthly

Willy Smith
Guest

Beautifully written Talley! I like Jane’s idean of accompanying music!
UW

Viper
Guest

Adam,

There was a battle between the Mapogo and Majingilane coalitions being reported on Facebook. Would appreciate some updates.

Thanks

I also heard these rumours about the Majingilane/Mapogo interaction…as for the authenticity of the rumours I cannot comment as this interaction did not happen at Londolozi. We thought that the Majingilane Males were north east of our boundary following a large herd of buffalo but we could be wrong. About a month ago I did see the Majingilane Males chasing 2 members of Mapogo; so it is defiantly possible that these altercations are going to start becoming more regular. We will keep you posted if we find out more…

Viper
Guest

Thanks alot.

Actually, it turns out that the altercation The Mapogos had with Lions a few weeks ago was with their own sons from The Ottawa Pride.

I realize it’s not our job to get in the way of nature, but is there ever a situation where you see an animal suffering (such as a lion with a broken back that will absolutely die) and shoot it to put it out of its misery? It’s not always practical, and certainly not ideal (and probably illegal) but I wondered if it was ever considered acceptable?

Hi Chelsea,
A very valid question. If there was ever a situation in which an animal really needed to be euthanazed, it would probably be done by the state vet; very humanely and as sensitively as possible. It would be entirely dependent on the situation but in certain circumstances I think it would be deemed acceptable.
Best regards,
James

Senior Digital Ranger

What a sad occurrence. Survival…

Senior Digital Ranger

How very sad.

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