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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27 Comments

on The Youngest Ntsevu Cubs

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Cheung Yc
Digital Ranger

Sometimes less is more!

Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

Does the three cubs belong to one lioness? If they do does she know or realize they can’t keep up with the pride? Is it survival of the fittest or bigger cubs that is more important to the lionessess? Are they becoming a “burden” for the pride?

Joan Schmiidt
Master Tracker

James, great blog today. The Birmingham Males aren’t getting their fare share of the kills, and the cubs aren’t getting their fare share of the kills? What will happen?

Darlene Knott
Master Tracker

Frightening to think about! Nature can be cruel. I have to hope there is a split soon, so the 3 babies have a chance. Thanks for updating us periodically!

Andrew and Daniel Bolnick
Digital Tracker

James, in times such as these the Londolozi Blog is a welcome daily respite. I know we all hope only the best for the little ones. Hopefully the forces at work will be kind to these three cubs. On the positive side the rains could not have come this year at a better time. Life appears abundant. Look forward to your stories each day

Victoria Auchincloss
Master Tracker

Fingers crossed for the 3young It will be fascinating to see how and if the pride separates. Keep us up to date and above all everyone at Londolozi stay safe. Victoria

Kate Moore
Explorer

What is the age difference between the youngest cubs and the litter up?

Doug Hammerich
Digital Tracker

Is there such a thing as a “too big” pride for everyone to survive?

Susan Strauss
Digital Tracker

Thank goodness!!

Paul Canales
Master Tracker

This is so fascinating! New to all of this, so the real time observations are deeply engaging.

Ian Hall
Master Tracker

You also wonder if the Birmingham males are going to last through to the maturity of the cubs ?

Vin Beni
Guest contributor

Will be interesting to see the developments.

Ana Komljenović
Senior Digital Ranger

But James, don’t the males determine that they eat the youngest cubs with them first

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Hi Ana,
Can you clarify that question a bit further? Are you asking if the males allow the youngest cubs to eat first?

Ana Komljenović
Senior Digital Ranger

Yes, that was the question. Because Discovery, NAT Geo and others always show how males eat first and with them cubs. And then the rest of the pack. In that case, the cubs should not starve. Or Birmingham males aren`t fathers? But then they`d kill them? Or….? Tnx

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Hi Ana,
The reality is things are so variable. most of the time we simply see every lion for themselves, but yes, on occasion we have seen the males allow one or two of the smaller cubs to feed alongside them and no other lions, although there is usually a bit of growling and a few cuffs aimed at the cubs first to discourage them.
The Birmingham males are the fathers of these cubs.

Henk Slettenhaar
Senior Digital Ranger

I hope that the cubs survive.

Callum Evans
Guest contributor

If they continue killing larger prey like zebra and wildebeest they should be fine. Still not sure why a pride of this size doesn’t prey on buffalo or giraffe more regularly.

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

Well, there’s certainly no lack of drama on the lion front. I had thought lionesses, after giving birth, really took the time to make sure they were fed and safe, but reading between the lines, it seems now there are just too many cubs, and the youngest three seem to be on their own. We’ll all be waiting to see how this pride will carry on in the future-

Wendy Macnicol
Digital Tracker

Really holding thumbs for those 3 little cubs. If they survive this they will be stronger for it. Wendy M

Yanzhe Tiegui
Digital Ranger

What is the ending of the fourth of the youngest cubs, has it disappeared, why has it disappeared?

James Tyrrell
Alumni

Hi Yanzhe,
We’re not actually sure. It might have gone exactly the way we fear for the current three; not enough nutrition, falls behind and something snapped it up…

Renée Muller
Explorer

Always look forward to the updates, hoping that the cubs reach maturity. Thanks so much for a great lockdown diversion. Stay safe and regards to all at Londolozi

Joanne Lofthouse
Digital Tracker

I hope that they make it, it would be a shame to lose them, but I do understand how Mother Nature works.

Jennifer Ridgewell
Senior Digital Ranger

James, will the winter months ahead make a difference to hunting patterns, availability of prey?

Gina Edwards
Explorer

I think Mother Natures way is harsh and wildlife has to fight for that survival because nature has it’s way in make sure only the strongest survival and the offspring has to fight for the rights of survive because only the strong genes live to pass on those strong genes and animals that are weak die that’s why only a few make it and to live to be a adult they would have to have that strong will to live and the mothers are making them strong and tough and have to learn what it takes to be able to live in situations that they are going to have to step up to earn that right to be able to fight for its rights to be able to take on situations of the larger and older ones in the pride we all have seen cubs fighting back at their fathers at feeding sits , am I kind of right about this if you are able to understand my question

Trish Monck
Master Tracker

Inevitable there must be a split coming, how can they keep feeding so many-

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