As we head out from camp on a morning drive we hear that Barry had managed to find the Tsalala Female moving along the Sand River. We decide to join Barry and see how she is doing. Unsurprisingly so she is in fantastic condition and with a relatively full belly, she was moving around making use of the cooler weather. As she emerges out of the thicker vegetation she notices an impala in the distance and looks on as though she wants to hunt. a short while after seeing the impala, the impala notices her and begins alarm calling at her. Having lost the element of surprise the chance of her being successful was slim so she continues on and eventually settles under a bush to rest. It was great to see how she is doing and use this as a little update on her.
In our second part of the Virtual Safari, we find one of the Nkoveni Young Females resting in a fallen marula tree. Within a few moments, she is surrounded by a journey of giraffe. Posing no threat to the significantly larger herbivores it is intriguing just how concerned the giraffe were of her presence. Walking closer and closer to her until they were a mere 15 feet from her.
Enjoy this week’s Virtual Safari…
Also young and playful but rather with a spot pattern of 3:2. She is slightly bigger than her sister.
To view the YouTube link, click here.
It made my morning to see the Tsalala female. I always think and pray for her. She seems to have been calling? Do you suspect this was to attract a mate?
I now wonder whether she was calling for one of the lionesses from the Mhangeni pride that she appears to have formed a bond with. I hope so. She deserves companionship.
It is always a great sight to see the Tsalala Female. She was calling, but I am not too sure if she was maybe calling trying to meet up with a male or if she was maybe calling out of frustration at the impala continuously alarming at her. I have seen this before.
Beautiful photography and videography Sean. Very impressive. Can’t wait to view Londolozi live very soon. 🎥👍😍👋🤩
Thank you so much, Joel.
The inquisitive giraffes were very amusing, particularly the last two who approached the leopard.
They were indeed very amusing. It is so entertaining how they approach a predator such as a leopard.
Sean, have you ever seen giraffe come so close to a leopard before? (can’t imagine they would do that with a lion). She didn’t seem remotely interested by their inspection of her.
I have never seen a giraffe come this close to a leopard. It is highly unlikely that the giraffe would do that to a lion, it is probably a little risky to get that close.
Fantastic to see Tsalala female and she does look fantastic. I read that she may have formed a bond with a pregnant Mhagene female seen in Dulini but perhaps she is just exploring options rather than remaining on her own. How does a lioness know when she’s reached a reproductive state or will the males determine by her scent?
The Nkoveni female has found a terrific vantage point to watch the world go by, whilst posing no threat. She’s looking so big now. Thank you once again for another interesting armchair safari!
It was fantastic to see the Tsalala Female again. I am interested to see how this turns out with the Mhangeni Lioness or if it is just a temporary bond.
It’s good to know that the Tsalala lioness is well. She really looks very healthy. I am looking forward to hearing that she is pregnant. She was calling a little. Who is she calling for? As she has no pride or mother?
The scenes with the young leopardess and the giraffes is very funny indeed. I wonder what is going on in the giraffes’ minds when they come across such a leopard. Would be interesting to know.
Thanks once again for the amazing videos.
The Tsalala Female is looking healthy. She was probably calling out of frustration at the impala for continuously alarm-calling at her. I have seen that happen a few times before. But there is also a chance that she may be calling for another lion.
Tsalala female… I am so HAPPY!! Thank you Barry for finding her! The footage of her and of the Nkoveni Young Female was very special! Woohoo!
Thank you so much, Johanna. It was so great to see the Tsalala Female as well as the Nkoveni Young Female.
Oh Sean what a surprise to see the Tsalala female this week. She is just looking so increasingly great, full belly and resting, hope she survives being so alone. Giraffe’s were so close to the Nkoveni cub, so beautiful to see and off course the cub is know all grown up and looking stunning.
The Tsalala Female is doing so well. The Nkoveni Cubs are thriving and they do look stunning.
Twip is another great video Sean. Thanks for sharing the interesting non interaction between the young leopard and the giraffe’s.
Thank you so much, William.
I love watching the virtual safaris. I feel I am right there in the vehicle on a game drive. Were the giraffes concerned about the Nkoveni Young female’s presence as they didn’t know where the mother might be nor when she would return to her cub?
I am so glad that you enjoy the virtual safaris. I think the giraffes were concerned about the leopard that was rather than any other leopard that may be around.
The Tsalala female looks perfect, she only needs her own pride now. How nice to watch the interaction between the Nkoveni young females and the giraffe! Really nice, all so peaceful and relaxing
She is thriving now and is in such good condition. The Nkoveni Young Females are also doing so well.
I AM ALWAYS SO HAPPY TO SEE THE TSALALA LIONESS!!! I DO SO PRAY SHE DOES WELL!! THEY WERE ALWAYS MY FAVORITE!! I HOPE SHE GETS W/OTHERS AND CAN BE IN A PRIDE!!!!
It is always great to see the Tsalala Female.
Are lions ok being solitary (females in particular)? Tsalala female has been alone quite some time now it seems 🙁
Lions are able to thrive by themselves, we have seen them adapt to more of a leopard-like lifestyle. She has been alone for a while but her mother was also alone for quite some time.
Yes She was!! It has been tough for them But…. They have managed to survive!!! Knowing them since 2011 is the reason she is very important to me!!! Thank you so much for letting me know they can thrive ok by themselves!!!! They surely have proven that!!
Beautiful Tsalala! Hoping that she stays with the Mangheni lioness!
Let’s hope so, She has done so well up until now.