The current low water level of the Sand River is allowing the Tsalala Pride to be a little more adventurous in their movements. Spending more time south of the river, they have increased their hunting grounds substantially. As spring envelops us the days are getting hotter and the river is a hive of activity, especially in the mid afternoon as animals come down for a refreshing drink. The Tsalala sisters are well aware of this and are using the river and it’s flood plain as a highway to speed up their movements and increase their chances of a successful hunt.
Symmetry and complete understanding is essential for the Tsalala Pride Sisters to hunt successfully - Adam Bannister
They have also adopted the strategy taught to them by their mother, The Tailless Female, of hunting in the middle of the day. A couple of days back I watched them actively patrolling and hunting the river banks in over 36 degree celsius heat! My take on this is that all the prey species are hot and bothered and thus concentrate their movements around available water and shade. This makes them easier to find; there is also the added bonus that in the middle of the day the marauding hyenas are often fast asleep and so the possibility of hyena lion conflict is lessened.This factor cannot be stressed enough when you consider they have 8 cubs to support at the moment.
The eight cubs are doing exceptionally well. The younger four are now old enough to be relatively mobile around the northern sections of Londolozi, and the older four are starting to become more and more independent! As they continue to grow these cubs are going to require more food and the two sisters are going to have to start taking more risks and target larger prey species. They have spent the last couple of months preying upon Impala but I feel now that with 10 mouths to feed and the creation of a Sabi Sand Super Pride they are going to have to start turning up the heat. A super pride that often hunts during the day…a recipe for entertainment.
One of the Tsalala Pride females wades through the Sand River - Adam Bannister
One of the younger cubs from the Tsalala pride peers out from behind her mother - Rich Laburn
Written and photographed by: Adam Bannister
Filmed by: Rich Laburn
How WONDERFUL; makes me cry they are so beautiful! It is the most wonderful thing to see the new generations thriving. May they live and grow ‘Tsalala Pride’ strong into many future generations! Thank you for keeping us posted; as always the photography, video and commentary is STUNNING!
it is beautiful but lions are still declining in africa today
I saw both sets of cubs on my first game drive just hours after arriving. I couldn’t believe my luck! And Julius seemed to sense that if we stayed just a bit longer we would get to witness the lioness kill a wart hog to feed the cubs. One of the youngsters decided to take a nibble and was swatted away by his older “brother”. Thanks Julius for the adventure of a lifetime. Thanks everyone at Londolozi Founders Camp for an incredible stay.
Sandy
Great pleasure Sandy, what an incredible sighting to witness the interaction between the cubs and the lioness. Thanks for your comments, look forward to seeing you on the blog again. rich
Im glad to see you are all enjoying reading the regular Tsalala Pride updates. It is very exciting to to watch these animals grow and mature!
I love reading all the updates about the Tsalalas. Thanks so very much.
exelente !!!!!! muy bueno !!!! y muy interesante!!!!
too cute