All of us here at Londolozi have long been hoping for the day that we would see the ever-resilient Tsalala Pride start their next chapter. Our last update on the pride’s lone lioness was towards the end of May when we had compelling evidence that she had given birth. She had been seen west of our boundary, frequently travelling back and forth to a secluded set of boulders—a perfect spot to keep her newborn cubs safe. Since then, we have some exciting news about this next chapter in the life of the lone Tsalala Lioness that we wanted to share with you.
The Tsalala Female rests atop a set of boulders which are great places for young cubs to be denned as there are ample crevasses for them to hide in when left alone.
A Litter of Three
As of the beginning of July, we received thrilling news: she had been seen with a litter of three cubs. The first few months of their lives are by far the most precarious. The lioness must leave her cubs well hidden while she hunts, only to return to nurse them. During these absences, a myriad of dangers could threaten the cubs—ranging from rival predators to wandering males. Each day is a test of her ability to protect and nurture them while still being able to hunt for herself.
Mitigating the Dangers for the Cubs
One of the biggest threats the young cubs face is other lions. Fortunately, their mother has become a master of her craft at eluding interactions with rival prides. This wasn’t always the case with her late mother, who had some hair-raising encounters with the Ntsevu Pride when the current Tsalala Female was still a cub. Over the past year, the Tsalala Lioness has strategically moved further west, a move that bodes well for the safety of her cubs. This territory is less frequented by other coalitions, as this territory is controlled by the Plains Camp Males.
Back in May 2020, the mother of the current Tsalala Female was cornered on the northern bank of the Sand River by the Ntsevu Pride and Birmingham Males. They attacked her rump but she valiantly survived the interaction which is the reason the current Tsalala Female has a chance to continue the legacy of the Tsalala Pride.
The mighty Plains Camp Males who are most certainly the fathers of the Tsalala Female’s Cubs
A Lineage of Strong, Independent Females
The current Tsalala Lioness follows in the footsteps of a remarkable lineage of strong, independent females. Her mother, too, was a single mother who successfully raised her daughter to independence, echoing the incredible achievement of the original Tailless Female back in 2002. This matriarch managed to raise a cub alone, embodying the resilience and adaptability that define the Tsalala pride. Unlike other lions, which benefit from the social structure of a pride, the Tsalala Pride has repeatedly defied expectations, proving they can survive—and even thrive—against the odds.
Pictured here is the mother of the current Tsalala Female and the litter she was born into. She was also denned within a set of boulders just as she has now done with her litter of three cubs.
The Next Chapter
The next few months will be pivotal for the future of the Tsalala Pride, and what makes this chapter especially promising is that two of the three cubs are females. This could be a game-changer for the pride, offering a vital opportunity to rebuild their numbers and continue their remarkable lineage. If these young lionesses manage to reach maturity, they could help re-establish a strong and resilient pride, just as their mothers and grandmothers did before them. For now, the focus will be on survival. Their mother, equipped with years of experience and an instinctual drive to protect, will need to navigate the myriad challenges that lie ahead.
The current Tsalala Female moved her three young cubs from one den to another.
As we witness this story unfold, we hold our breath with hope and anticipation. The stakes are high, but so too is our optimism that the Tsalala Pride will bounce back. With the next generation poised to carry their legacy forward, we are reminded of the incredible resilience of the lions we get to see daily. Stay tuned as we continue to share updates.
Thank u for the update. Am always excited and relieved, when there’s a positive update. Let’s hope,thatt she manages to keep her cubs safe. It’s been such an inspiring story, that I’ve been following closely, since her birth. And now, the story of her cubs. Can’t wait for these cubs to grow up safely.
Hi Joe, we are all holding thumbs for them to hopefully be able to make it to adulthood.
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Barry, thanks for the update on the Tsalala lioness and her cubs. It will be very interesting to follow them in the future. I hope she is successful.
Hi William, I’m confident that she will follow in her mother’s footsteps and be successful.
The Tsalala legacy is like a fancy tale of courage, an all- female-saga like Boudicca… I can’t believe the cuteness and loveliness of the cubs, so glad there are two females, the male would male a great future for the lion species too… let’s hope a miracle happens and all cubs will survive snd thrive!
Hi Francesca, we’re all hoping for that miracle.
Thank you Barry, lovely to see the cubs which are cuteness personified. It’s good to know that they have protection from other males, as the Plains Camp males are so dominant in that area. Like so many others I’ve been following the Tsalala pride for many years, so feel quite invested in it.
Hi Suzanne, I’m glad you’re as invested as the rest of us here at Londolozi!
Please please please let this litter survive 🤞🏻
🤞🏼
Thank you for this update Barry. Promising days ahead with 2 females in the litter. The Tsalala female was the first lion I saw at Londolozi. Due to Tshepo’s keen eyesight.
Hi Cynthia, Tshepo certainly has a keen set of eyes! Hope you are doing well!
The continuing story of the Tsalalas is so heartwarming! I hope she’s able to protect these little lives and I look forward to their future.
Hi Mary Beth, we are all confident she will be able to.
Our last view of Tsalala was August 9 2023 in the waterhole behind the fire truck side of the airstrip. We watched her rest while a pied kingfisher caught and slapped the heck out of a frog. But once a waterbuck wandered in Tsalala was up and alert.
Hi Willa, that sounds like a great setting that you were able to witness.
Hallelujah!!!! Our Empress reigns with Offspring!!!
Hi Camille, hopefully she will reign supreme for years to come.
Thanks Barry for the news on Tsalala female and her three gorgeous cubs. I am sure she will do everything she can to keep these cubs safe and sound. It is remarkable that there are two female cubs, the lineage of the Tsalala female lives on and can grow to be the Tsalala pride.
Hi Valmai, I’m sure the Tsalala pride will once again bounce back
This is amazing news Barry, and a terrific update on the Tsalala female and her nascent pride! Thank you also for revisiting the history of her lineage; extraordinary lionesses indeed!
Hi Paul, she certainly is an extraordinary lioness.
I hope that years from now, we’ll be watching the Tsalala lioness raise more cubs alongside her daughters and grand-cubs.
Hi Chelsea, we are all hoping for the same!
Barry, This is such an incredible story and we are so excited to hear about her cubs. It will be interesting to see if she connects with one of the larger prides. That might be a way to keep the cubs safe. But would the males single out those cubs as not their own?
Hi Michael and Terri, we’ve seen her previously spending time with one of the Munghen lionesses but this didn’t last very long before she went about a life on her own again.
Love seeing the cubs and hearing a positive update. Hope she can keep them safe, and I look forward to seeing them grow.
Hi Tricia, I’m feeling confident she will raise this litter to independence. Hope you are doing well.
It really makes my day to hear good news stories about the Tsalala female. I’ve been following the updates coming out of Singita. She is an incredible lioness. I hope and pray that this is the start of a new wave of good fortune for the pride. If ever one deserves it, it is the Tsalalas. My absolute favourites – an incredible lineage of strong female lions.
Hi Lisa, you’re right they have all been incredibly strong and resilient lionesses!
Hi Barry
What wonderful news about the Tsalala lioness and her cubs!
I am looking forward to maybe seeing them next week. And I keep my fingers crossed that they will make it to adulthood. It would be truly great if they could become adults and help establish a strong pride again.
Hi Christa, looking forward to welcoming you back next week!