Pretty much a month ago, to the day, one of the Ntsevu females was found with tiny cubs as she was moving them to what became a new den for a week. At the time we estimated them to be about two weeks old, as they were tiny.
She had slipped through the cracks and managed to give birth in central Londolozi and we did not even know. We were then spoilt with a few amazing sightings of the young cubs, until she moved them again…
Below is the video of her moving them to the initial den when they were first found.
The Ntsevu pride is going through a fascinating time as the pride fragments. The mothers are at a point where their attention is and will be focused on the next generation of cubs.
Having little patience with the many growing sub-adults and their hefty appetites, and the young lions still essentially part of the pride, there is extra pressure on the mothers to hunt more regularly in order to get enough food for themselves.
Normally the young females remain in the natal pride to help with hunting and raising cubs. Young males only amplify their mothers’ frustration when reaching sexually maturity, as they now show an interest in their relatives, so partly in order to prevent inbreeding they are pushed out.
The dominant Birmingham males also no longer tolerate the young males and push them out, forcing them into a nomadic lifestyle where they bide their time in order to grow and develop the necessary skills for fighting for and holding a territory.
We are not too sure whether the females are going to stay with their mothers or branch off in a break-away pride as the Ntsevu lionesses themselves did. With all the fragmentation going on it has been difficult to keep track of where the lions are and if any are missing or unaccounted for. Very seldom are they all seen together.
Young and inquisitive lions cannot resist the temptation to chase after something. This can be infuriating for the mothers that have put in hard hours in order to get close enough to try hunt, only to be let down by an impatient young lion.
OK, back to the story of the cubs. After abundant rainfall throughout the summer months, the reserve is flush with vegetation.
Grass growth in particular was off the charts. As we now shift into the winter months, the grass is still ever-present but is now transforming into duller shades of brown and grey; perfect for young lion cubs to hide in as they can just blend in with their tawny and spotty coat.
The initial den was a fallen over tree with dense grass growth underneath it. The cubs would hide in here, only revealing themselves when the mother would call them out. If she was not there it was difficult to tell if the cubs were there at all. After a few days of no signs at this den we concluded she must have moved them to a new den.
Searching long and hard, it was a challenge to find the new hiding place. The block to the west of the old den is almost impenetrable, riddled with drainage lines and fallen over trees where the grass is nearly three feet tall, with many potential den-site options to choose from. It is practically impossible to see anything in grass further than two meters from the vehicle.
We still had no luck a month later.
Hope for the cubs was slim, until this morning.
Fresh suckle marks show that this lioness is still nursing her cubs, giving us hope that they are still alive
After hearing lions calling in the cool morning air, we found two lionesses and a Birmingham male. As one lioness rolled over revealing her stomach to us, we could see clear, fresh suckle marks on her stomach. We now know the at least some of the cubs are alive; she must have moved them somewhere so well hidden even we could not find them.
We sat with her for a few hours hoping she would take us back to the den. The nearby clash of two impala rams fighting during the rut caught her attention and the three lions were up and heading in the impalas’ direction. After stalking the impala for a little while the impala saw the lions and began alarming. The hunt was over for now and the lions settled down for the rest of the morning.
No luck with them leading us back to the den this morning.
Our plan is to try head out this afternoon as early as we can to try find her and see if she may take us back to the den this evening.
Sean, I loved Lions🤗
Delightful tiny cubs! It is not easy to imagine them as fully grown and mature males… lions pride dynamics are always different depending on the pride and tbe environment. Thank you for the beautiful and accurate reportage
It is not easy, and the dynamics are ever shifting.
Wonderfully told story with exceptional images. What a true relief to know that some of the cubs are still alive. Reminds me of the wild dog pups when we thought they were all killed. Relief feels good, doesn’t it!
Thank you Joanne, yes it is an amazing story. No as drama-filled as the wild dogs but certainly feels similar to that story.
Such great news 🥰🥰🥰❤❤❤
Hi Sean! I know it is hard to keep track of all of them, but could you please give me a sex ratio for the sub-adults?
Hi Michael, it has been a challenge to keep a track of the ratio at the moment. I think there has been about seven males and the rest females but will check in and let you know as soon as I can.
Hoping to see some of this lion activity (and you) when we arrive in July!
Hi Vin, I hope you are well. Yes I am sure there will be some lion activity when you are here. Look forward to seeing you too.
Great news Sean! We were wondering about the cubs. We know you will find them soon!
Thanks Michael and Terri, will let you know the good news as soon as we can.
I really do hope all the cubs are still alive and well. They are the future of the pride so we are waiting anxiously for your update Sean on the cubs please. I can understand the frustration of the lionesses when they are hunting and the sub adults are impatient and ruin the chance for a kill. The male sub adults must move on and become the nomadic group so that the Ntsevu pride can establish themselves again.
Let’s hope the cubs are alive and well and as soon as we can we will let you know the news on them.
So happy to see that there is proof of at least some of the cubs being alive! Thanks for sharing. Wishing you lots of luck in finding them!
Such a relief, we just need to find them now. Thank you
Talk about a cliff hanger story! I sure hope the tots are found! Goodness woudness! Deep sigh!
Indeed a cliff hanger, we will hopefully have an update on the cubs soon
Indeed it is a cliff hanger, we will hopefully have some news on the cubs soon.
You were able to get a great picture of that lioness to see those suckle marks.
Yes we were indeed. She was fairly close to the vehicle and as she rolled over it exposed them nicely for us.
I never cease to be amazed at how hard it is to find lions and leopards in the bush. You would think they would stand out, all that lovely tawny coat with the spots! Thank you for your préserve ce! Victoria
Tracking and finding the lions and leopards is a challenge but that is what makes it so special. I think the tawny coat has the opposite effect helping them blend in a bit better, especially in the dappled light.
Birmingham males need to protect these pups, do not shy away from boys, stay strong, nhenha and tinyo. the avocas are a real danger. I hope they stay until young people can take care of themselves.
I am sure they will do their best but the road ahead is not going to be an easy one for them
A great story of the lions, well told. I hope that the cubs are well. Two to three years ago when the pride was raising the now sub-adults they were quite successful, weren’t they? So good luck to all the cubs of Londolozi.
It has been an amazing journey watching the cubs grow older and now move on to the next stage of their lives. We will let you know the great news on the cubs as soon as we can.
So, let’s see. Those lionesses have to do all of the (real) hunting – feed everybody, give birth and hide the cubs so the males don’t kill them, get food for themselves and the cubs, get harassed by roaming males and even their own male family members…and the guys get fed and grow manes and roar and have sex…and get the best photo ops. Yep, sounds about right:-)
Hey Sean, good news on finding the female with fresh suckle marks. As I began to read this I was fearful that your blog would not have a happy ending. I remember looking for the cubs a month ago, but no luck. Being so small, it’s easy for them to disappear in the dense, tall grasses. I’ll be waiting for the next installment, “the cubs haven’t gone anywhere, they’ve been hiding in a drainage ditch”! Good luck hunting.
Lucky there is no tragic news. It has been a real challenge looking for the cubs. Hopefully we can share some good news with you soon.
Hi Sean, didn’t you love Linda Rawles’ remark below? I so agree with her! It seems to be a males’ world among the Prides too!
Wendy M
Great news Sean that there are still some cubs about 🙏🏻…hoping you can flush them out and get back to us with some good news and beautiful footage 💗
Hi Sean!
How many cubs do you think were in this litter?
A very heartening discovery! Best of luck to these lionesses and their cubs!!