The Tsalala pride has been featuring prominently of late. Basing themselves on the clearings on both sides of the Sand River, we have enjoyed some wonderful viewing of these lions and their cubs over the last couple of months. However, it seems to me, as I’m sure it does to many of the other rangers, that the pride is not covering as much territory as it once was. Shortly after I arrived at Londolozi, the two adult lionesses in the pride both gave birth to litters of four. So we had 8 little cubs tottering along after their mothers, all over the northern reaches of the reserve. Up to Nanga pan, across the northern boundary, across to the Maliliwane area and back down to Ximpalapala koppie these lions would roam. Obviously 8 cubs makes for potentially wonderful viewing, so on almost every drive rangers and trackers were heading out to find these lions, occasionally returning unsuccessful as the pride had simply vanished into the middle of one of the big blocks by which the North is characterised.
The Tailed Tsalala lioness and 3 of her cubs on one of their favourite haunts; Fluffies Clearing, barely a kilometre from camp.
The full complement of Tsalala lionesses and cubs, again on Fluffies cleaing, eye out some distant wildebeest.
Lately, however, it seems that all one has to do is to drive a little way along the river in either direction and you will bump into them. Okay that’s not entirely true and sometimes they aren’t found for a couple of days at a time, but more often than not, when they are found, it is within a relatively narrow strip of land that runs past camp, north and south of the river.
The traditional territory of the Tsalala pride is the entire red area. However, since the arrival of the Mhangeni pride on the scene, the pride has been found mainly in the red core area along the river. The Londolozi Camps are marked with an X.
Historically, the Tsalala pride’s territory has been predominantly in the north, but with the arrival of the Mhangeni pride on the scene, that territory has shrunken as the large Mhangeni females have been seen to be operating in ever-increasing swathes, hunting mainly zebra as they work to provide food for their nine growing cubs. Of course, the Tsalala pride’s current areas of focus could have to do with the boom in wildebeest and impala numbers on the clearings during the birthing season, and this winter may see them venturing further afield once more.
The Mhangeni Pride. Lions everywhere, it seems, when you are with them. The four large females seem to gradually be subverting the territory once dominated by their mothers.
We have yet to see a proper clash between the two prides, and we are unsure as to whether there will ever be one, owing to the fact that the Mhangeni lionesses are the daughters of the Tsalalas. The one thing that is clear though, is that where we once found the Tsalala lionesses patrolling on a regular basis, it is now their daughters’ pride whose tracks we follow in the sand.
The tailed Tsalala lioness leads her daughter, the current Tsalala sub-adult, across Old Elephant Crossing. Lions crossing the Sand River, although they do it often, is an event rarely witnessed.
Sightings of the Tsalala pride have increased to the east of our boundary, further suggesting pressure from the west.
This is simply another chapter in the ever-changing saga of the lions of Londolozi, and whatever the size of the territory the Tsalala pride is operating on, they are still here and we still get to view them regularly. Which isn’t half bad!
Written and Photographed by James Tyrrell
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Are the Mhangeni Females significantly larger than most lionesses? It was mentioned in the post regarding the Sparta and Mhangeni Prides that the Mhangeni females are larger than them. Are the Mhangeni Females larger than their own mothers too (i.e. Tailed and Tail less Tsalala Females)? They really seem to be dominating all the prides on Londolozi. By the way, how many cubs are left in the Sparta Pride now?
Hi Shardool,
5 youngsters left in the Sparta Pride; 4 males and 1 female.
The Mhangeni lionesses, although still young, are definitely big individuals. Their mothers are large lionesses as well, so this was only to be expected.
They are not as big as their mothers, though. Yet…
James
Thanks James! does it seem the sub is finally accepted at all times? She looks good in the photos, how long until she loses the “sub” moniker, thanks again.
Hi Mike,
Good call, I reckon now is as good a time as any to drop it! We may refer to her as that occasionally from now but will try refrain from doing so. Unfortunately she is still getting chased by the Majingilane regularly, although not by the Dark-maned male. Maybe because he has been spending so much time with the pride in an attempt to mate with the tailless lioness, he has familiarised himself with the young lioness far more than the other three males.
James
Thanks James!!
I am glad the Tsalala sub adult lioness is growing strong in in good shape. She used to be chased around by the Majingilanes, but she fought back valiantly. She will grow into a strong lioness in about 6 months.http://notch-masaimara.blogspot.com/2014/01/blog-post_3715.html
Thank you for the update.. Lions and their ever changing territories.. Makes for interesting reading.
well written dude – great update
Not half bad for the great Majinge’s either! Still being adequately fed by the two prides I’d assume JT..
They wish! Unfortunately for them the prides are taking down a lot of smaller game at the moment in the form of wildebeest calves and impala, so there’s generally not a lot to go around. The Tsalalas have actually taken down a couple of kudu recently though.
If the males happen to be on hand during the hunt, then dinner is on the table, but the Majingis have been looking particularly skinny of late…
James, or anyone, can you clarify that the Tsalala tribe you are talking about are the two lionesses (one now tailless) that each had 4 cubs when I was there in August 2011. I believe all cubs except one female were lost, so I am assuming the sub-adult you mention is the remaining one. That would make her almost three years old if that is correct. After I visited Londolozi, the original Tailless returned with three or four of her daughters and they were referred to as the Breakaway Tsalala tribe. Are they still in the area? I know original Tailless recently died. Thank you for the update.
Is Tsalala prides daughters of Mapogo? If not, which pride is?
Thanks