A few days ago, James Tyrrell wrote a blog on the rise and fall of specific animals popularity and it was mentioned that the Nanga cubs were definitely shining brighter than most amongst the Leopards of Londolozi. So I thought it only fair to give some of our Londolozi lions a bit of time in the lime light. The Tsalala females have gone from strength to strength even though earlier this year they suffered the tragic loss of their mother, the original tailless female.
One of the females crossing the Sand River – Photographed by James Tyrrell
At a time there was speculation on whether or not the tailed female was going to be able to keep these cubs alive and well. This speculation has been proven wrong, so far, to the relief of all and the cubs have been seen with their mother and the other females on a kill to the east of Londolozi recently. The tailed female is indeed walking in her mothers footsteps and has been a fantastic mom since the birth of her four cubs in July. With the help of the other three females these cubs are happy and healthy.
Two of the cubs watch us sleepily from the fork of a Jackalberry Tree.
There is a possibility that these cubs are soon going to be sharing the lime light with additions to this pride. The ranging team is under speculation that the tailless female is pregnant. She has been spending a lot of time hunting in the river around Plaque rock and they think that she will have her den somewhere close. The Dark-Maned Majingilane has also been spending a lot of time with the four females and has been providing them with extra protection.
The two that were seen mating a few months ago, the tailless female and Dark maned Majingilane – Kate Neill
Since the first sightings of these young cubs they have provided our ranging team and guests alike hours of wonderful entertainment. We will be keeping an eye on the tailless female but while these little ones are still getting the ‘lions feed’ of the attention we will give it to them. Londolozi’s filmaker, Rich Laburn, made sure that he gave them a share of his attention behind the camera and managed to capture this great movie of them playing with mom:
Written by Kate Neill
Photographed by James Tyrrell and Kate Neill
Filmed by Rich Laburn
Beautiful….this made my day!
You know what I LOVE about these video ‘vignettes’? Every time, you can see true LOVE, compassion, caring, interaction between species and a language amongst them all their own. Some people think animals’ interactions are anthropomorphized. REALLY? Can you watch that video and NOT see love? It’s good to know that regardless of how hard their lives can be, however short, they are loved. Very well done. Thanks for sharing!
My how they have grown since we saw them the first time. Just want to be back there. Great video.
Thanks for all of the phenomenal videos and photos of lion and leopard cubs. They are a lot of fun to see! Glad to hear the Tsalala cubs and moms are doing well (and that Nanga female has really made a place for herself).
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I might just be with you mid November, Kate. Could you please just keep them cute and little until then 🙂
That would be amazing…look so forward to seeing you again! I will do my very best, hopefully the new ones will be out and about!
Your video brings back such memories — the Lion prides feel like family now.
I remember our first day at Londolozi, we went on a drive atop the river bed when a lioness came calling for her cubs. Next thing I know, the cubs emerged from the river palms and followered her, and we went into the river bed to follow them. 9 cubs, 3 lionesses — and we followed them to an impala kill where we saw them feed. What a priviledge. On one of our last days, we saw the tailess lioness mating near the landing strip.
I am so moved when I see your videos — how animals have a simple and stripped down way of living all their own, and it is so moving. Geri — I agree, it is cat love for sure.
Thanks Kate and James — I get to continue to enjoy Londolozi through your open eyes.
So happy to see they are all doing well. All the babies are so adorable.
Thank you so much for this amazing clip. I love all of the animals, but the lions are my favorite!! How I love the piece of the cubs and mother loving. That is so very PRECIOUS and so awesome to share that gentleness and love the lion has. Thanks so much again for sharing!! WELL DONE!!!
Thank you to all of you wonderful guides at Londolozi for keeping me glued to my PC for my daily fix. These pictures are to beautiful for words. If only humans would take a leaf out of the Animal Kingdom’s book, there would be a lot more love & peace in the World.
The cubs are beautiful and growing fast.
Have a lovely “bushveld” weekend & look forward to my “Week in Pictures” tomorrow 🙂
There is nothing more adorable and precious than lion cubs. Please watch out for them.