It’s not what you think.
The title, thankfully, is literal. The Tsalala lioness was found moving along the southern bank of the Sand River with her three small cubs, but then moved north into the thick reedbeds.
Ranger Andrea Sithole crossed the river, anticipating the lioness’s movement and waiting near an open sandy section. He eventually heard soft grunts as the lioness called to her cubs from the reeds, and was rewarded when they emerged onto the river sand. This is where knowing the area well and predicting animal behaviour plays a big part, as Andrea again made the call to wait up ahead, next to some large boulders. If the lioness simply bypasses, so be it, but if she climbed up onto the rocks, it would present a spectacular view for Andrea, tracker Trevor and their guest.
Needless to say, that’s exactly what happened:
The family of four sat and groomed each other for about 10 minutes as the morning sun slowly rose above the Jackalberry trees to the east.
Allogrooming (grooming each other) is prominent in many social animals like lions, and is an important way of maintaining kinship bonds.
Two of the cubs wait for number three to return from an exploratory foray.
All eyes followed their mother as she began to move off the boulder…
They eventually moved off the boulder and continued upstream in the riverbed.
A herd of maybe 60-70 buffalo was grazing in and next to the river shallows about 300m further on, but although buffalo might make a decent target for a pride, a single lioness with small cubs in tow is very unlikely to want to tangle with them, and the Tsalala female detoured back to the southern side of the river, where we once again lost sight of her.
Tracks of just the lioness were found later in the morning crossing the river all alone, so she had surely left her litter in the reedbeds somewhere.
Let’s hope she brings them out again soon…
Nice Jamo!
Amazing video. It is fantastic to see all three cubs surviving.
What an awesome Mum!
I saw these little ones on my trip last month. So glad to see that they are still doing well.
Awesome to have an update on this amazing little family! While she has a very long way to go to get them to a safe age, every time you see them and every day they survive is another step closer. I’ve asked before, but was wondering if anything has changed with regards to her and any interaction with the Birminghams? I remember you mentioned she’s called, but was wondering if any of the Birmingham Boys had responded?
I was ‘the guest’ in your blog! So privileged to have seen this, and the only guest there for those precious moments they appeared. This is one of my two favourite sightings ever and on both occasions you’ve been there James – with better pictures and an awesome blog! 🙂 (Can you guess the other one..?) Wonderful moment, thank you Londolozi and Andrea and Trevor who were world class and lovley people too. After 7 visits the magic just gets better and better….
Hi Liam,
It was incredible! I hope you managed to get some good shots; looked like Andrea positioned brilliantly!
Hmmm, give me a hint for the other sighting…
I’m absolutely gobsmacked and in love with these cubs! Super photos James.
Really happy to see the cubs still doing well!
I want the lioness to succeed so much. I am happy that she has the three cubs to be social with. I’m sure she has missed the contact with other lions and this gives the love back to her. It will be hard not having another female to share the mothering with but we are all routing for her.
James this particular blog touched my heart deeply as I was quietly cheering on Tsalala for SO long while on her solitary journey leading into the unknown for her. What a survivor and now these 3 precious cubs! The video was wonderful but what continues to touch me is your image of the three little ones intently focused on mom. The devotion, dependency and unity was palatable. Wishing good health and life to all in this little family.
Yes I’d be Very Happy to Read Your Lioness & Cubs Blogs
It didn’t ask me For any information though
James- do you know the gender of these tsalala cubs?
Hi Chris; I think it’s two females and one male but I’ll double check…
Wow, what a great sighting! And the lioness did not even seem to mind how really close you were! Great photos and video!!!
Hi Darlene,
Because the vehicle was parked there long before the lioness approached, SHE made the decision to go up on the rock, so she was fine with the proximity. If she was already there, the guides would not approach that closely.
Best,
James
Yes, James, I should have recognized that was the case. Obviously she was comfortable with the vehicle. This was an incredible moment for your guests! I envy them their photos! 👍👍👍
James, you’ve really excelled yourself with this video and the photos, especially the one of all 3 cubs gazing at their mother – absolutely adorable! I’m so pleased to see the Tsalala lioness doing so well against the odds. Hoping they will still be around when I come back in 8 weeks. And lucky, lucky Liam!
They are just too cute these little lions and her mother is really brave bringing them up all on her own.
What beautiful cubs! Why is she on her own? Where is her pride?
Hi Barbara,
She is the last member of her pride; all the others have died over the years.These cubs are hopefully the start of new beginnings…
I took a picture back in 2016 of their mother faux mating with one of the 3 Tsalala males and the tailless female with her paw on her head like a blessing/anointing. Maybe these young ones will be blessed……
https://www.juzaphoto.com/galleria.php?l=en&t=2031612
Such a beautiful sighting of the amazing Tsalala lady-