About the Author

James Tyrrell

Alumni

James had hardly touched a camera when he came to Londolozi, but his writing skills that complemented his Honours degree in Zoology meant that he was quickly snapped up by the Londolozi blog team. An environment rich in photographers helped him develop the ...

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16 Comments

on How to Survive as a Lion Cub

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GM Majingilane
Guest

great article .Why did the mhangeni breakaway kill the older tailed lioness?And the lioness with cubs (Not the sister of tailed ) is she six or three years old

Apologies, I think I may have written it incorrectly. It was the Tsalala Breakawayas of the time (now the Mhangeni pride lionesses) that we think were the cause of death of the older tailless female. From tracks in the sand it appeared as though she had an altercation with them over a kudud kill, and being outnumbered must’ve sustained worse injuries.

PATRICK CASMIR KISARIKA
Guest

nice research i like it

Great information. Thank u. Love learning from ur experiences and teaching.

Francis Daisy janssen
Guest

Thank you very interesting did not know the fact. , just love your up date,s. And your photo,s are stunniny too

Rebecca
Guest

Fascinating! You have a great style for exploring the reality for cubs without focusing on their cuteness or just the stats. You make me want to rush back to observe them too!

James, it’s really wonderful knowing that they have all survived and in such great shape! I saw these cubs late in 2013 and they have such a special place in my heart. I hope they go on to adulthood and we are able to follow their lives into old age — that would be incredible!

Thanks James for a very thought provoking and sobering post. It certainly makes you reflect on the fragility of life especially in the bush. On our last visit in July we saw some very playful cubs enjoying time with each other and their mum and the thought that only one may survive to
maturity is sad.

It is amazing that all the Tsalala Cubs survived to adulthood in such a volatile environment. It is testament to their mothers skill, experience and instincts. The future of the three males should be very interesting. They could be the next kings in a few years. Love the lion updates.

It’s amazing the way that londolozi communicates through diverse culture,history and amazing wildlife, it certainly is the protector of all amazing Things in Africa, and provides an amazing delicate experience at the highest level.

Hi James, We were lucky enough to have been with you when we saw the nine cubs waiting for their mom’s return (and their quick run down to the river when they sensed the lioness’) Do you have any idea how many of those survived? .

Hi Dot and Frank,
I remember that sighting well! Wasn’t that when we had a rather hairy descent into the river?
Unbelievably, all of those cubs survived. The 6 female cubs are now the Mhangeni breakaway pride, and the males have ventured off on their own, but as far as I know, all three were together when last they were seen.
Any plans for a return visit?

Aadi Seedat
Guest

Great article. Fantastic way for us in the city to reminisce of days in the bush

Digital Ranger

Male cubs do face a tough life out there to survive unlike female cubs who have a greater advantage by staying with the pride even i adulthood!A single Male Lion is disadvantaged once it becomes a nomad unless he joins up with another nomad male but i do believe a coalition of two just like a coalition of three has a very great chance of surviving out there in the wild than a single nomad male will have!

Definitely Tim,
Extra numbers do help!

Reading this post today make me realize that you never know what the future holds. Little did we know that a year later the tailed Tsalala wont be anymore. It is so sad. Is the pride in trouble because the Majingilane abandoned them?

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