The Tsalala female is a lioness that continues to defy the odds. We follow her story as closely as nature allows, and like a lot of people who have read about her or seen her we continue to try and track her progress in the raising of her sole cub who is now about 15 months old. We watched the terrifying scenes of her being attacked by the Ntsevu Pride on the banks of the Sand River and held our collective breaths as we waited the few days to see if her cub had survived the fight. The fact that that they both did and did so without sustaining any noticeable long term injuries was nothing short of remarkable.
We do not see them as often as we would like to due to the nature of the territory in which they spend most of their time which is along the banks of the Sand River. The thick riverine vegetation, meandering water channels and numerous granite boulders that make up this stunningly beautiful landscape are not too Land Rover friendly and simply put there are just some parts of it that we just cannot get to. It’s a great territory for a lion though because there is lots of prey for them to hunt along the river and with an almost constant supply of water all year round it’s really just other lions and hyenas that the Tsalala female has to worry about.
We came across the two of them lying in the afternoon sun with a beautiful view over the Sand river
We came across the two of them a few days ago as they rested on one of the high riverbanks and it was actually the first sighting that I had had of the pair together in quite some time. They were both looking well fed and healthy and any superficial wounds that the mother had picked up from the Ntsevu Pride a few weeks back had healed very well. It was quite the vantage point that they had over the river that afternoon and watching them just lie there got me thinking about what the future may hold for this small pride of two.
The Tsalala female lies on the banks of the Sand River. It’s hard to believe that there are no lasting injuries from her fight with the Ntsevu pride a few weeks back.
The cub of the Tsalala female is about 15 months old and luckily it is a female because there is a good chance she will stay with her mother after independence and hopefully have cubs of her own to help the Tsalala Pride grow.
The fact that the cub had been fathered by the Birmingham males I think had worked in the mother’s favour during the fight she had had with the Ntsevu Pride. One of the males had been right there during the heat of the moment and had, at times, directed his aggression to some of the Ntsevu lionesses, slightly reducing their aggression. The increased presence of the Northern Avoca males could potentially be her next threat as they could be looking to challenge the Birmingham Males in the months ahead for some more territory and their females. With her cub currently at the age that she is, it means that she is not old enough to mate yet and this could mean that incoming males, whoever they may be, might want to get rid of her in order to bring the mother back into oestrus. The Othawa male also could pose the same danger to her and the cub as we have seen him once or twice in that same area.
One of the Birmingham males looks on as some of the Ntsevu Pride lie in the open in front of him.
The two Northern Avoca male lions are being seen on Londolozi a lot more and we cannot help but wonder whether they will start to challenge the two Birmingham males for more territory and females.
The Othawa Male has also been seen on one or two occasions recently and he could also be a threat to the Tsalala cub at this stage.
The best case scenario for us would be if she continues to protect her daughter for about another year from male lions because then the daughter could start mating and if the two of them stayed together, which is quite likely, they could have cubs at the same time. The Tsalala Pride has been a well known pride of lions on Londolozi for decades now but for the last few years they have been hanging on by the skin of their teeth with this last remaining female and her cub the only chance the pride has of regrowing.
The Tsalala Pride from a few years back. We are hoping that in in about 2 years time the pride might look like this again.
To be able to watch the lion dynamics change on the reserve over the years is an incredible privilege and many a long night has been spent around the campfire discussing and speculating what it all means. The story of the Tsalala female is literally the closest to home for us because there have been many sightings of the two of them wandering the riverbed in front of the various lodge decks. We are all rooting for her and hope in the years to come to see a much bigger Tsalala Pride patrolling the Sand River and beyond.
It is actually such a feel good story. Lets hope that in a few years the Tsalala pride will be strong again.
Tsalala Lioness reminds me a documentary by Dereck Joubert, the Last Lions, where the main character is a brave lioness escaping lots of danger starting from a pride of lions to protect her three young cubs. Ma di Tau’s fight for her offspring looks so alike this great Mum. I hope they will both get through they are real natural selection. Thanks for the update and as always the wonderful pictures.
Lots of parallels in the two stories…
Hello James, Londolozi has become a top site to visit for me and I’m spreading the info to other people who work at universities too and are interested. What is the best time to be able to see the special leopard dynasty and as many animal species as possible? Thanks!
She is one tough cookie! I really enjoy the updates, thanks for this one James
James, I loved all the photos🤗
James, unfornately we will not be coming for 50th anniversary – but in 2021 we will be coming for our 51st anniversary
Great to hear Joan,
Looking forward to having you here!
Beautiful photos and great job narrating this underdog story so many have been following!
The Tsalala Pride has been one of my favorite prides since I was introduced to them in 2009. I have read all I can find about their history and a very much admire the protection that Bebe & then her daughter gave to the youngsters during the perilous times of takeover. I hope their future will again be one of a large healthy pride. Thank you for Sharing
I remember well that awful incident ..gosh it does seem like the odds of her cub surviving and the two of them going on to strengthen their numbers could be difficult. Let’s hope they manage 🙏🏻🤞❤️
It’s really great that this lioness and her cub are still fine and in good health. I keep my fingers crossed for their future wellbeing and that they can increase their numbers.
Hearing about all the animals at Londolozi in these still quite difficult times is like a ray of sunshine!
Thank you for the update on these two remarkable lionesses. Tsalala has been doing a great job protecting her cub, now a juvenile, and we all hope she makes it through to adulthood when she might have cubs to carry on the legacy. Like with the wild dogs, you never can predict what an outcome might be.
The Tsalala pride certainly has had a rough go of it. I remember seeing the two lionesses with Cubs last time I was there. I never did find out what happened to the other lioness . I do hope Mom and cub make it through and can expand their pride.
I would love to get to know Tsalala and her puppy up close. I love her and her puppy. We also love other lionesses who care for their young.
Such wonderful news about the Tsalala Mama and her cub! (not to mention beautiful pictures of them!) – As much as the mama has her instincts in place, You can’t help but think in concern that it’s too bad that the rangers (or trackers) while viewing Mama Tsalala and her cub, can’t “Somehow” find a way, if need be, to deter the male lions, if they should get close enough to attempt to harm them. –
It’s amazing to think and see how Mama Tsalala and her lone cub have proven themselves to be true survivors! That in and of itself, is a proud and inspiring concept to consider amidst the quest that we are challenged with as humans.
She is quite the lioness!!! Thanks for the update on her as well as a bit of the history once again!
I love the fact this mother has overcome so much being attacked and able to leave alive is spectacular meaning another day with her cub to keep her safe, hopefully more days or years to do so, now im from Kansas so definately nothing cool but tornadoes, and thats what she reminds me of powerful a whirlwind of life
Amazing stuff, thank you
Love hearing about these two amazing girls, thank you for sharing. I hope they have a protective shield around them for the rest of their lives and I hope to be fortunate enough to see those precious two on my future visit.
We love your stories and look more than ever to our first visit with Londolozi, Really sorry w are all effected by this virus. Keep everyone safe, we will see you in 2021. Reservations all set/
Mitch
What a special lioness. I have lot of respect for the Tsalala lioness and cub
Great Update guys.
Hi James, thankyou once again for your wonderful footage and commentary re the beautiful Tsalala femaleand her precious daughter…. I hold my breath every time I open up any news of them!… I’ve followed this remarkable pride for some time now….it’s an incredible story….wishing them all the luck in the world…take care
This a beautiful Story Between a mother and her daughter. AND Hoping to see the young female cub grow up and have her own family someday. As for Mom I hope she will stay around her daughter and watch her grow into a beautiful adult Lioness and with her grand babies.
I am always keen to hear how this amazing lioness is doing and I too held my breath watching the video of her attack. Who could not want to see her do well and go on to form a magnificent pride. Keep up the great blogs that I so enjoy.
Hi James. I quite agree that it would be simply great to see the Tsalala pride grow and grow in numbers. I really take my hate off to the lone Tsalala Mom and her young cub! Very courageous and capable lioness and her daughter will probably be very like Mom because of the training she is getting from her mother. Wendy M
We can also hope that some young lioness will break away from Ntsevu Pride, then it will benefit for everybody
Thanks for the update, James, fingers crossed for her and her cub. I’ve seen the Birmingham males and they’re pretty impressive, how do the Northern Avoca pair compare for size and age?
Thanks James, really nice to hear about them again……
Beautiful photography and a heartening story. So glad they came out of their very treacherous experience of w few weeks back with little to no permanent injury. Wishing them all the best as they endeavor to grow their pride.
Queen Tsalala reigns! I have followed her closely these past few years through all her hard challenges. That she even survived alone is a feat, but to have a cub and have it thrive is wonderful. I was SO unhappy to see her attacked and injured….that was some footage! But here she is again safe. Great writing James S. superb images.
She’s an absolute legend. I’ve followed her story from when I first saw her in 2016 when she was still with the tailless female and the 3 boys. He life would make one heck of a documentary!