I thought I would expand on one of Barry Bath’s recent blogs that provides an update on the Ndzhenga Coalition and Ntsevu Pride. For this blog, I want to give an update on the next generation of lion cubs all fathered by the Ndzhenga Males.
Two Ntsevu Lionesses on the move with their new generation of offspring. After finishing off a warthog carcass, two Ntsevu Lionesses led these cubs away from the area and further south into the heart of Londolozi.
July 2023
As mentioned before, to our knowledge there were believed to be 24 cubs born between November 2022 and April 2023. However, this number has dwindled and there are somewhere between 12 and 16 remaining cubs; we know that there are at least five females and eight males.
Although we suspect that there were eight Ntsevu Lionesses to have given birth at the start of this year, [we understand only six of those mothers still have cubs.] One mother that had four cubs died, and another female with five cubs also passed on.
We set out one afternoon in search of the pride, and quite soon after leaving camp, rangers Tayla Brown, Barry Bath and myself found one Ntsevu mother with her two cubs enjoying the shade in a dry riverbed in the central parts of Londolozi.
Over the last few months at Londolozi, this pride has blessed many guests, rangers and trackers with some incredible sightings. From allowing us to witness special bonding and grooming moments between mother and cub; playful interactions between the cubs themselves as well as their interactions with the Ndzhenga Males; to more recent sightings of the full pride feeding on different kills as the cubs continue to be weaned and introduced to meat.
This Ntsevu lioness had had enough of these cubs climbing all over her and eventually decided to get on the move. I’m sure some of the parents out there can relate!
One of the most special things to witness in a sighting like this is the soft side shown by fully grown lions towards their young.
Ntsevu Pride and all the cubs on a wildebeest kill.
I remember the first sighting I had of this new generation of lions was back on the 21st of January this year, where we managed to see four lionesses and three very small cubs – the view was limited given the dense vegetation the cubs were hidden in but it was still a sighting I won’t forget. The next time I managed to see lion cubs was one week later when two lionesses and five cubs were found. And so it went… the first quarter of 2023 quickly became filled with reverent determination and excitement from the guiding team as we realized the Ntsevu Pride was scattered around Londolozi denning and protecting a new generation of lions.
A single lioness was found denning her three offspring in the thickets alongside a dry riverbed. These young cubs were often seen playfully milling about out in the open sandy patches.
Since then, we have managed to witness the first half year of many of these cubs’ lives. While we deduce what we can from the snippets of observation we get when they are found on Londolozi, the story of their lives continues to unfold. The remaining 12 cubs look healthy and hopefully, we’ll continue to see the full pride together as they share in the feasts of more kills as the cubs soon become fully weaned from their mother’s milk.
Nothing more special than watching animals drink, particularly if there are a number of cute lion cubs in the mix!
As they continue to grow, we also look forward to continuing to learn about the individuality of each of the cubs.
While spending an afternoon with the four Ntsevu Lionesses and nine of the cubs lying in an open clearing, I noticed one of the cubs has a unique brown spot in its left eye, something similar to the speck in the eye of the Ntomi Male Leopard.
The survival of this above-mentioned next generation rests heavily on the last two remaining Ndzhenga Males and their ability to protect these cubs, particularly from any encroaching males looking to challenge the Ndzhengas’ existing territory. The Ntsevu Pride are notorious for their prowess and strength and I have faith in their ability to continue to mother and protect, however, only time will tell as we watch the rest of 2023 unfold from the front-row seats of our Land Rovers.
Stay tuned!
Great update Kate! Can’t wait to see the cubs next week!
Kate, great update on the Ntsevu pride. The cubs are cute.
Hi Kate, lion cubs are among the cutest cubs and this little prince is something special, with his growing mane and “romantic ” eyes (the shape of leopards ‘ and lions’ eyes and the lateral marks on cubs eyes make them look sweet and innocent). They also are so expressive, really hypnotising! I hope they manage to survive, do you know why so many died in spite of their brave mothers?
Thanks for the info regarding the Ntsevu lionessess and their beautiful cubs and the Ndhzenga Males. That foto of the cubs drinking water is so special, also the one cub on his own where you can see the mark in his left eye, extraordinary foto. Let’s hold thumbs that all the cubs will survive and will make it to adulthood.
Wonderful photos. I love learning about the lion dynamics on Londolozi. Thank you for the update. hope all the cubs do well.
Lion cubs are so cute. It’s wonderful that there are so many of the new generation. Keep my fingers crossed that lots of them will make it.
Can’t wait to see them in a month’s time.
I appreciate the update Kate on the next generation of Ntsevu pride. It’s still early days but with luck and the continued presence of the Ndhzenga males the cubs have a chance to make it to adulthood. The remaining cubs look healthy and well fed, so it appears the mums are providing enough food. It will be fun to watch their progress.
Thank you for share us the recent days detail story of Ndzhenga and his cubs to us. I have tracked this male lions alliance for one year and I will continue to do it. This also make me interested to make a business trip to South Africa probably. This is also the first time I write comments on Londolozi Private Game Reserve official.Hope you keep in love and update their condition.