To be honest it was the very last thing I expected to see. The Tsalala lioness (with the tail), the mother of the remaining two cubs born in February 2011, was found mating yesterday. Her male of choice…the Scar Nose Majingilane Male!
The land rovers were not the only witnesses to this unexpected event.
The reason I was so surprised was that she still has two cubs, out of her original litter of four, which are alive and well. They are 16 -17 months old and still largely dependent on their mother for both protection and food. I thought they were still too young. Out of all the Majingilane Males, it is Scar Nose who appears to have had the worst and most violent relationship with the Tsalala Pride over the last two years. If you remember correctly it was this exact male who chased down and killed one of this prides cubs back in December 2011.
It’s almost as if she has decided to mate with the enemy. Is this being done in an attempt to fall pregnant again, or is it somehow being done as a strange peace offering? Whatever the answer we certainly will follow, with interest, this pair in the days to come. If she is indeed serious in getting pregnant and rectifying relationships between the Tsalala Pride and the Majingilane Coalition then she needs to ensure that she mates with all four males. It is my opinion that the last time she mated, she left some of the males out…this may be the possible reason as to why matters have always been tense!
The lioness did not seem all that interested in the mating. Usually, it is the female who presents herself to the male. Each occasion we watched them mate it was started by him licking her back.
The lions were seen mating about once every half an hour
The Tsalala Sister, without the tail, no longer has any cubs, so I feel that she too may soon follow suite. All in all, a testy period awaits for the younger members of Londolozi’s favourite pride of lions. Never a dull moment for the Lions of Londolozi
Scar Nose Majingilane Male is without a doubt one of the highlights of Londolozi!
Written and photographed by Adam Bannister
Great Blog ADAM
Happy for the pride! hope the sub adults will stay safe from Scar-nose.
Thanks Adam..interesting indeed!
moments ago this lioness was seen mating with the Dark Mane Majingilane!
Great news maybe she did learn her lesson this time!! She had a great teacher in BB..
Thank you for the update on our favorite lions.. Hope the 2 older cubs make it through safe and sound.
These lioness’ are not dumb blondes, they know what must be done to protect the pride..
Hey Adam, we’ll be there in about six months. Maybe you’ll get to introduce us to some new Tsalala babies by then?!
The Majingilanes are some great Pride Males!
Other great news for all lions fans are that both Makhulu and Pretty Boy(mapogos) are in great shape:)
Awesome and interesting blog, Adam. Thanks for all the great photos too.
Oh boy ! Adam, there is never a dull moment in the on-going sagas of the lions of Londolozi. I await, with fascination and a bit of dream, the next chapter. Thanks for keeping us up to date
Hi Adam,
Thanks for the news and the great pictures!
Regards, Ted.
She has now also mated with the Hip-Scar Male. She only needs to find the one with the Golden Mane to ensure that she has mated with all 4!
I certainly hope she doesn’t abandon her two remaining cubs like she did the last bunch of cubs. Poor old BB would have to take them and raise them by herself again?
Do the Majingilanes tolerate these two remaining cubs?