The Tsalala Pride have had a rough last few months. It’s sad to think that only four months ago they had eight very healthy cubs. Now this pride’s precious cargo has been whittled down to just three. Initially there were four males and four females…now it is only three females that remain.
Here is a brief summary of what happened to the five cubs that are no longer:
2 killed in a buffalo stampede – October 2011
1 killed by the Scar-nosed Majingilane Male – 26 December 2011
2 disappeared during the floods of the Sand River – 18th January 2012
Yet despite this loss, the Sisters remain upbeat and firmly in control of their pride. They are still managing to hunt and succesfully kill, simultaneously pouring huge effort into the cubs that remain. It is fascinating to watch the Tsalala Pride and the Sparta Pride, both of which have cubs fathered by the Majingilane. The differences between the two sets of mothers is radical. Since the Majingilane killed one of the Tsalala cubs, I have not seen these males with this pride once! This is contrasted by the fact that the males are nearly always with or around the Sparta lionesses.
The two Sisters remain focused despite all the hardships endured over the past few months - Adam Bannister
So these two prides continue to entertain and fascinate rangers, trackers and guests alike. Pulling on our heart strings. I was delighted to watch the Tsalala Sisters play with the three cubs on the sandy banks of the Sand River.
You may be interested to hear, if you know the area well, that this footage was filmed at Finfoot Crossing…one of our gateways to the north, which has been completely transformed thanks to the floods.
Written, filmed and photographed by Adam Bannister
Thanks Adam, great video footage. Lets hope the remaining 3 now almost subadults will pull through, and it is good for the future of this pride that all 3 are females. That will make for a great pride of at least 5 females in a hopefully brighter future, assuming the 4 breakaway females will stay separated and establish a turf of their own further north. BB (the original tailess) might add some more heads to one or the other group. If she has given birth it will most likely be her last one, at the age of 14 years and 2 years to go for raising a new litter to adulthood.
Hopefully the Majingilanes lost interest of testing their fatherhood for the Tsalala cubs. There are 4 Sparta females without cubs, so plenty of work to do for the males beside keeping younger coalitions at bay. With the Matimbas being happy campers in the far north, the Southern Males sniffing the growing weakness of the Mapogos to the west and all other freelance males not being strong enough to challenge the Majingilanes, they should be able to hold on for some more years…hopefully.
Great blog Adam. Loved the footage.
I WAS WAITING FOR THIS UPDATE! , THANK YOU SO MUCH ADAM, JUST A QUESTION. IS THE ORIGINAL OR THE NEW TAILLESS FEMALE, THE ONE WHO APPEARS IN THE VIDEO?
THANKS AGAIN !
Thank you for that video Adam. It’s delightful.
this made my heart smile. I’m glad I found your page. We were with another lodge 2 years ago in Sabi Sands and will most definitely be back somewhere, some times to see more lions playing like this! how fantastic!!
they certainly look like very healthy strong cats. Three new young females would be a very welcome addition to the Tsalala pride. Hopefully good times ahead. Thanks Adam.
Beautiful footage. I’m really hoping the cubs make it to adulthood. That would be such a huge boost for the pride. At the same time, it’s kinda sad that 5 of the other cubs didn’t make it:-(
What has happened to BB? Has she gone back to the youngsters??
I don’t know where Original Tailless (BB) is!
It was wonderful to see your video Adam, with the Tsalala five running around in the sand and that the
young Tailless seemed in such a good form.
Such big strong girls! Thanks for the update, I often think of the new tailless female. She looks wonderful. Hoping they all stay healthy. Thanks Adam for the blog, pics and video. Keep them coming!
Absolutely beautiful footage thanks Adam ,i really hope things go well for them . Keith
They have such personality in their faces. Amazing girls.