This week’s Virtual Safari kicks off with tension in the air, and it’s not between rivals, but relatives.
Two lionesses from the Kambula Pride, now raising six cubs in their own breakaway unit, find themselves face-to-face with an unexpected visitor: a young sub-adult male, likely one of their own nephews. While he’s probably harmless with the mothers around, the instinctive caution kicks in, and they make it very clear he’s not to come any closer. But the tension still simmers. When the young male tries to slink off, the lionesses give him one final, unmistakable warning.
What follows is a beautiful sequence through golden-lit clearings as the lionesses and cubs move about together, playful, chatty, and full of life.
Later, we find the Talamati Male paired with a lioness from the same pride, hoping to mate. But she’s not convinced. What’s more interesting is where it’s all happening, deep within the Ndzhenga Males’ territory. Could this be a sign that their grip is loosening?
To wrap things up, we catch a glimpse of the Ximungwe Female Leopard, far from where we usually see her. She’s alone, but looking strong. Her injury appears to be healing well, and when she climbs a tree and starts feeding, it’s a welcome sign that she’s frequently hunting and hoisting again. Tracks the next morning suggest she’s heading back to her cub, who we’re relieved to report is still alive and accounted for.
Enjoy this week’s Virtual Safari.
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Those 6 lion cubs are beyond cute. Do they feed from either mother, Sean?
Excellent news about Ximungwe’s recovery. We saw her hoisting once and the immense amount of power needed, especially from the legs, was phenomenal. Her cub would be about 9 months old now? – to have kept them both fed since the injury is truly remarkable.
They are really cute. Yes, they can feed from either mothers. That is the value of being in a pride is that they allo-suckle. The whole Ximungwe story is remarkable and I can’t believe that she has managed to pull it off.
Hi Sean, the scenes of the two lionessess and there 6 cubs are gorgeous and I love watching them interacting with each other. Playing and running is always something spectacular to watch. Glad they let the young male understanding his not welcome there, as you say Sean he could kill the cubs. So very relieved to see the Ximungwe female’s leg is much better. She is walking and jumping in the tree to feed, and catching something to eat which shows she is healing. Also relieved to hear her cub is still alive.
Young cubs playing like this is always amazing to watch.
We are all very happy to see that the Ximungwe Female is recovering.
Great video, Sean. One of the lion mothers seems to be limping a bit, doesn’t she? The cubs are so cute and playful and the mothers as well. It’s a joy to watch them. And wow, they are pretty fierce when it comes to defending their cubs.
It’s also good to know that the Ximungwe is doing so well and her leg is continuing to heal. And, of course, that her cub is also fine! So, only good news this week and fantastic video clips.
Thanks so much, Christa. Yes, the one lioness was limping but I think she had that limp before the altercation with the young male. Mothers are fierce when defending their cubs.
Nature is so very amazing. Would we have thought the Ximungwe Female Leopard would have survived as she has done? And, her cub too has been safe. So far.
I certainly didn’t expect the Ximungwe Female and her cub to have survive as they have.
Sean, one of the breakaway Kambula lionesses is limping. Do you know why?
She was seen limping a few days before this altercation with the young male and so we presume it must have been an injury sustained during a hunt or something.
Sean, What a fantastic sighting! There is something really special about seeing the mothers and cubs interact. And whoa, don’t even think about getting close to them!
It is amazing watching the ferocity of a mother lion protecting her young.
Thanks Sean for such an entertaining virtual safari showcasing the two Kambula lionesses and their six cubs. It was fascinating to watch these two mums physically demonstrate who was in charge after spotting the male sub-adult. However the best part was watching the squeaky little fur babies cross the dry winter grassy field, whilst their mums engaged in a bit of fun with them, grabbing tails, hiding then attacking, and swiping at paws. It’s not often we see this type of play between lionesses and their cubs. Ending with footage of Ximungwe looking quite fit considering what she’s endured is always welcome – especially knowing she has managed to take care of her cub during her recovery. That’s bush magic!
The mothers certainly didn’t hold back when showing this young male to not even think about getting close to their cubs.
Yes, it is bush magic and we are so glad to see that she is doing well given the circumstances.
SOOOO adorable!!! One lioness seems to have a bit of a limp from the altercation? Are all 6 cubs from one mum or??? And so happy to see the Ximungwe Female doing well 🥰
Yes, she has had that limp for a few days now and we think she injured it in a hunt. No, two cubs are from the limping mother and the other four are from the other female. They are believed to be about a month apart in age.
thank you Sean 🙂
What are the reasons the two females would break away from the pride?
In short, they would break away because of too much pressure from all the subadults and having to provide a lot of food to keep them all well-fed. As well as the older cubs/sub-adults present a bit of a threat to the new cubs. It is natural for the sub-adults to break away, so this is all a normal process. Thankfully the sub-adults have the one female to help them on the journey.
Tremendous VS Sean! The lion footage is breathtaking, especially the start with the two females and sub adult male. And ending with the continued resilience of the Ximungwe female is so heartwarming!!!
Thank you so much, Paul. It was such a stunning setting and to have the lions moving around like that made my life a breeze.
It’s truly spectacular that Ximungwe and her cub have survived her terrible injury…..looks like the bones of her foreleg are still in the process of healing/remodeling, but what a true victory for this resilient cat! And then, there is simply nothing like the behavoirs, interactions and vocalizations of a pride of lions with cubbies…..just wonderful footage of the Kambula breakaways and their little fluff nuggets!
Yes, they are still healing but she is making a miraculous recovery. Following lion cubs and spending time with them is incredible.