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Sean Cresswell

Alumni Ranger

Sean is one of the humblest rangers you are likely to meet. Quietly going about his day, enriching the lives of the many guests he takes out into the bush, it is only when he posts a Week in Pictures or writes an ...

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11 Comments

on Lion Update: The Tsalala Absence Continues

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Great blog Sean. Interesting lion dynamics.

The intrigue continues. Eagerly looking forward to how the situation evolves!

jon
Guest

What has happened to the Tailed female or 7th member? We have been seeing the 6 up on Djuma/Arathusa on WE Drives but, not the missing lioness. thx!

Hi Jon, the tailed female (same age as tailless female) is the one who strategically stayed behind and has kept the Matimba males occupied for quite some time now. She was last seen four days ago, with both Matimba males, near to camp. She’s the 7th member. Thus the pride seen on WE should consist of tailless, the sub-adult, one young female and three young males. Hope that’s helped!

Rob
Guest

Spot on with the new territory for the Tsalalas. They’ve been seen quite a few times on the live safaris from Djuma – even this morning. The reason this area is good for them is because it’s vacant of adult male lions – the Birminghams seems to have settled in south of the area along the Mala Mala northern boundary.

Hey Rib, yes, true that the Birmingham males seem to have settled further south east of where the Tsalala pride has been. However, in terms of lion movements that’s not far enough. They may face a higher likelihood of conflict (and with the Birminghams’ record, death) by remaining up north than chancing the Matimbas. It has been good for them in the short run, but they may make another move soon, whether back south or further away into the Manyalethi. Thanks for your comment!

Alex
Guest

Interesting times ahead for the Tsalala pride,thanks for the update Sean.

Mike C
Guest

Thanks for the update Sean! Hope they make it.

Ricardo
Guest

Thank you very much for the reports Sean. I’ve been also following the Tsalala’s movements via WildEarth.tv. I sure hope the females get back to their true territory without the young ones. It just seems like the fact that they’re there puts them all at risk. The 3 of them are pretty much ready to go it on their own, correct? And, where has the Mangheni pride been as of late?

Spot on, Ricardo. I believe it has been a valiant effort to preserve all three young males by fleeing into the north, but as you say the lionesses are ready to continue without the young males (who only require more meat at this stage).
The Mhangeni pride have also been split for quite some time now. A portion (six of them) was seen recently on Singita, we are waiting for news regarding the rest.

Ricardo
Guest

So I guess bad news from Djuma on the Tsalalas. ? One of the three sub males is missing, likely killed by the BBoys. Even after their alleged encounter they’re only two km apart. Things aren’t looking good.

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