Since the beginning of the year, the breakaway Tsalala Pride, have been showing signs of moving and exploring the northern parts of the Sabi Sands. The reality of maturity means that these lionesses are no longer in danger of being killed by dominant males, but are rather viewed as potential mates. Subsequently, this past week has seen these 4 lionesses, born in Dec 2008 (daughter of the two Mapogos and the Tsalala sisters) move south of the Sand River back into Sparta.
In an interesting turn of fate, at least three members of Majinglane coalition have discovered these young yet sexually mature lionesses and are now mating with them. This brings the three exciting elements to Tsalala Pride dynamics:
- The possibility of new lion cubs to these first time mothers
- The possibility of a FULL Tsalala pride reunion. This would mean these 4 lioness with the two Tsalala sisters, their remaining Tsalala cubs and the original Tailless female
- The first joining of Mapogo and Majingilane blood in the lion gene pool.
The breakaway Tsalala lionesses were not entirely comfortable with the mating activities of the Scar Nose Majingilane Male.
Nonetheless, this new activity has not gone by with peaceful ease. These lionesses are still hesitant in mating and are not scared to put up a display of conflict with the dominant Majingilane Coalition. Watch this video below, captured by our guest Ginger Smits, just yesterday morning…
As with all the unfolding lion dynamics in the Sabi Sands, there is always a new twist and turn of activity to keep us interested in the fascinating lives and behavior of this beloved Londolozi pride. Let us know what you think the outcomes of this interaction between the Majingilane Coalition and the breakaway Tsalala Pride will be in the comments section below. Will new cubs arrive and will the entire Tsalala Pride reunite?
Photographs and Film by: Ginger Smits (Londolozi Guest)
Does anyone know what happened to the one lioness tail?
Hi Jaime, you will find this article addresses the story of the lionesses tail – http://blog.londolozi.com/2011/02/the-lions-tailless-female/
I hope those young girls don’t bring the wrath of the Majingilanes down on BB by being too confrontational, BB has been through more than enough in her life already.
Very interesting. Since they were in Mapogo territory for a while, one would think they would stay there and mate with the Southern males??
But wonder if the two sisters will accept them back? The old tailless lioness stayed with them for a while and probbaly one of them is her daughter too? But the other two seemed to ditch their offspring pretty fast and mated with Majingilanes rather quickly? Plus their three remaining cubs are female-so that might be one giant mega pride if they ever got together??
You have posed some interesting questions Kk. I think that since they have become fully mature, these young lionesses have begun exploring further south of their territory back into the area where they grew up. I believe that the two sisters will accept them back, especially since the Original Tailless female is still a part of the pride.
Oh, to be a lioness in Londolozi!!!
Thanks for the update .I sure hope it stays ok for the T girls.
Is there any news about the remaining Mapogo males?
Hi Joyce, I think last news was of them about 10 days ago in the southern regions of the Sabi Sands.
Dear Rich,
That is interesting news! I was intrigued at the first read some days ago as these Tsalalas were said to be just 3 years old. Officially, lionesses can start mating from 3 years on, but do you have figures at Londolozi, at which average age, lionesses start giving birth ? Is it true that these lionesses were born in December 2008 ? I am aware that you at Londolozi know them best, but I read also reports that they were said to be born around April 2009 ? So I am a bit confused. If they are 3 and a half then sure they may now become fertile. Another question, during all the reported sightings (weekly sightings) of 1 Majingilane with Tsalala-breakaway lioness: was it always the ScarNose Majingilane with them and mating ? Or others too ?
Looking at above video, to me it looks very much like imposing dominance to these lionesses. If there is not too much aggresion shown to the male, then it should turn out fine. On the other hand, I just read that another cub of the older Tsalala-sisters is missing….Let’s hope that the Tsalalas can reunite and find some peace and stability to raise more cubs.
but where the scar nosed brother
but a live story of that lions
Wow If there are male cubs with the mapogo and majingilane blood line watch out in about five to six years time’ with the females on heat wonder if the selati males or the much larger matimba males come in and try and mate. majingilane males have to be on guard and stay togetter to rain the sabi sands area there might be a part 2 of lion warfare “stay tuned” !!!
Wow, the Breakaway’s have a very good memory it seems. Just because they have gotten to mature sexual age doesn’t mean that they are going to leave behind all those bad memories the Majingi gave them. Lions do remember. Anyway, I think that eventually the Breakaway Tsalala pride will give in soon and the Majingi’s will sire cubs with them. I don’t know which Majingi it will be though. If Dark Mane gets on the scene he might fight and win the shot to one of the girls. Scarnose might by chance find the Breakaways and they will give in to him, or hey, maybe Golden Mane will run into them and they won’t find him threatening because of his lighter mane and give him a chance (don’t know if it works that way, I think the darker mane usually gets it, but, who knows?). Time will tell, we’ll just have to wait and see.