We follow with interest the life of the two motherless Sparta Pride cubs. These two female cubs, born around October/November 2011, lost their mother at the end of April 2012. We believe that she lost her life due to internal injuries sustained through a fall from a tree during an altercation with a female leopard. This unexpected death was documented in a previous blog post.
Since the death of the mother, over a month ago, we have been watching them carefully to see how things would shape out for them and the remainder of the Sparta Pride. The Sparta Pride currently sits at four lionesses, one of which has three small cubs, and then these two orphans.
It appears, for the time being at least, that these to orphans are being ‘looked after’ by the still lactating mother. Just the other day the Londolozi trackers managed to find the five cubs (the two orphans and the three that were born in early March) on a sandy beach in the middle of the Sand River. Together with the five youngsters, was the mother of the March litter. Ranger, Sean Carter, managed to capture some footage of the orphans actually suckling from this lioness. Is it possible that she will now take on the role as ‘surrogate’ mother and continue to look after these two? A brave act if you consider that it means she now has five bellies, in addition to her own, to feed. Will the pride as a whole put in the extra effort to keep these two alive?
So, the orphans have made it for over a month now without a mother and they continue to survive against the odds, although there is no doubt that they have lost physical condition .The fact that they are both females adds to the drama! If they are able to stick together and scrounge a living for the next few months, then they may form a formidable bond that will be a crucial asset to the Sparta Pride team.
Good news too is that the Majingilane males have been observed with these orphans and they seem to be affectionate towards them. The biggest challenge for these two young lionesses is going to be in acquiring food. They will undoubtedly be bullied off kills and are still too young to hunt for themselves.
I’m looking forward to seeing if these females start to hunt earlier on in their lives then a ‘normal’ lioness may do. Normally one could expect a lioness to start assisting in kills from an age of 18 – 24 months. Maybe, just maybe, these females are destined for greatness and will mature in rapid time…their lives may depend on it!
Written by Adam Bannister
Filmed by Sean Carter and Adam Bannister
Thanks Adam for sharing good news about these 2 cubs. These cubs are one of cats I intently follow in Sabi Sands. As for their survival there is an amazing example set by lady of Lewa cubs. These cubs survived on their own aged 10 months. Here is the link https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150123837494996.63494.59974894995&type=3 Who know Sparta orphans can make it under the protection of their dads and exceptionally generous Sparta lionesses.
Girl Power!!!!!
Thank you for the update. The two orphans look very skinny and lifeless. Is there a possibilty that they can be helped with meat. I feel so said fr them.
How come they always seem to stick around this lioness? Is it because she has cubs and is a bit more maternal? The other three lionessess don’t seem to hang out as much with these cubs? At this age, they should be strong enough to keep up with the pride?They do look-for lack of a better word-sad.
gracias muchas gracias !!!! enternecedor relato !!!!! seguiré continuamente las historias del orgullo de Esparta !!!! yo les pregunto …. alguien no puede ayudar a la leona tía con algun bufalo matado con escopeta o otro animal … da pena pensar que los cachorros de leon mueran por desnutricion….mucha gente como yo ama profundamente a estos felinos !!!!! gracias !!!
Pues no creo lili..normalmente estas cosas se las dejan a la naturaleza, no intervienen los de la reserva , la vdd si da mucha pena , pero hay q esperar quiza la tia leona ya se haga cargo de ellas , ojala les compartan aunq sea poca comida…se ven muy debiles no juegan ni entre ellas.
Is is normal for cubs to be nursing at the age of the two orphans. . . or is this a result of their recent trauma, physical and mental?
Hi Martha
Usually cubs have weaned from about 6months old. However, they will continue to try and suckle for some time after (I have seen up to 1 year old), particularly if they are short of food which is the case here as you mention.
Thank you Adam! That poor mama having all those teeth on her! Thankfully she is allowing the suckling for the time being. Praying they can make it!
A mother is a mother.