About the Author

Dean de la Rey

Alumni Ranger

Dean was a guide at Londolozi from 2018 to 2022. He grew up in Johannesburg and it was from his very first trip to the bush at the age of two that he was captivated by this environment (he claims he can remember ...

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27 Comments

on The Ntsevu Pride Dynamics

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Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

It is exciting Dean. They can become a super pride. When last was there such a big pride in the Sabi Sands?

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

Dean, what a wonderful story about how a pride works together, to obtain food. Loved the pride of lions drinking from a water hole!

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank Joan

Vin Beni
Guest contributor

It should be very interesting to track the dynamics of this potential population surge on the overall animal population.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

That it will be Vin.

Andrew and Daniel Bolnick
Digital Tracker

Dean I will be following this story. Keep us posted. Power in numbers but might they become too large to feed their needs

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

We will do.

Ian Hall
Master Tracker

This looks like becoming a very, very powerful pride. Look forward to following this account further

Maria Deliou
Digital Ranger

Do we know what happened to The misfit??a young Male from the ntsevu pride that became famously through the series Africa’s hunters.

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Hi Maria, that is a different pride from Zambia (I think) with a slightly different name. I’m afraid to say I can’t remember what they are called bu the names are very similar.

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

Dean, the sightings and stories just get better and better. I was fortunate enough to spend time with the Mhagene pride of 16 in February, 2017, as they swarmed past our rover, padding softly along each side sometimes gazing up at us! A thrilling moment and so close our camera lenses were rendered useless. Then just a year ago, while driving into the river bed from Londolozi into Singita, we found two females with 5 cubs hidden in the reeds. Two older cubs around 4 months and three little balls of golden fluff, bounced around each other and came close to our vehicle, then exhausted went for a feeding break. Heart melting for sure. The dynamics and sheer number of mouths to feed must seem daunting, and time will tell if the moms and the Birmingham males are up to the task….. I’m staying tuned.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

What an awesome sighting Denise. Do stay tuned.

Darlene Knott
Master Tracker

Such interesting dynamics! Waiting and watching! Love it!

Mija Almeida
Explorer

What happens if the lioness who hasn’t been able to become pregnant is, indeed, infertile? Is there repercussions to her?

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Not that we have noticed as of yet Mija. There has been occasions where her sisters havent tolerated her near the cubs but only time will tell.

Bob and Lucie Fjeldstad
Guest contributor

So impressive! Just to see 17 lions walk by would be fabulous but to imagine that their numbers could grow is really a treat. Even the leopard community had better watch out!

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

That is very true.

Maria Deliou
Digital Ranger

Ok..thank you for your prompt response!:)I m gonna try and find out the name of the pride..and yes, they’re in Zambia!!!

Michael Fleetwood
Master Tracker

Hi Dean! I recently asked a ranger at Mala Mala, Nic Nel if he could confirm the sexes of the cubs and he told me the older 11 consisted of six males and five females and the younger four are “believed” to be two males and two females. But very glad the pride is doing so well. If all the cubs make it to adulthood/independence, the Birminghams will be arguably a super successful coalition (because as James Tyrrell has rightly pointed out many times before, the true dictator of a coalition’s success is its genetic legacy), as they already have four (1 young male who is now independent, and three young adult lionesses) surviving offspring in the Nkuhuma Pride (born in 2016), four (1 young male, 3 females) surviving offspring in the Styx Pride (born late 2016 or 2017, not sure which litters the offspring are from), and 7-9 (6-8 young adult females – number still haven’t been able to confirm, 1 young male) offspring in the Torchwood Pride (born 2016).

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Hi Michael, thanks for the detailed comment and insight. Nic could very well be correct. I will confirm the sexes as soon as i can. Unfortunately, especially at this age, the sexes can be quite confusing. As soon as I know, you will.

Michael Fleetwood
Master Tracker

Thanks Dean, no rush at all. All I know for sure is there are a lot of male cubs and yes, understandable at the age they currently are it would be difficult to sex them. Thanks again!

John Devillas
Explorer

I believe Liam Henderson from Mala Mala said there’s 6 males among the older cubs and 1 from the young litter born earlier this year

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Seems to be that 6 males in the older litter is the general consensus but will confirm as soon as I can.

Mike Dominici
Explorer

It should be very interesting to watch the 8 adolescent males grow a bit more and see if they all stick together when they leave or if they split up. Regardless they will surely be a force to be reckoned with. I hope they all make it. I’m sure they have voracious appetites already which must be putting a lot of pressure on the mothers to hunt daily.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Lots of pressure indeed however we are already seeing fierce cubs showing an interest in hunting.

Michael Fleetwood
Master Tracker

Hi Dean! I recently asked a ranger at Mala Mala if he could confirm the sexes of the cubs and he told me the older 11 consisted of six males and five females and the younger four are “believed” to be two males and two females. But very glad the pride is doing so well. If all the cubs make it to adulthood/independence, the Birminghams will be arguably a super successful coalition (because as James Tyrrell has rightly pointed out many times before, the true dictator of a coalition’s success is its genetic legacy), as they already have four (1 young male who is now independent, and three young adult lionesses) surviving offspring in the Nkuhuma Pride (born in 2016), four (1 young male, 3 females) surviving offspring in the Styx Pride (born late 2016 or 2017, not sure which litters the offspring are from), and 7-9 (6-8 young adult females – number still haven’t been able to confirm, 1 young male) offspring in the Torchwood Pride (born 2016).

Henk Slettenhaar
Senior Digital Ranger

I am very curious what will happen to the male cubs in the future. That will be a strong coalition.

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