The Tsalala Pride has defied the odds once again. This time, the last standing Tsalala Lioness has reached the one-year milestone since she lost her mother in November last year. For a solo lioness, this is no easy feat and being a young inexperienced lioness she has certainly kept us happy as she continues to uphold the legacy of the Tsalala pride. So in a tribute to the Tsalala Pride and the indomitable spirit of the current Tsalala Lioness, I thought I would share some of the highlights over the last year and some insight into what we might expect in the year ahead.
Her resilience has often been met with challenges. In this case, the Tsalala Lioness uses a fallen marula tree to glance back at the hyenas that had managed to overpower her from a hard-earned meal.
The Highlights
My personal favourite sighting of the Tsalala Female was just a few weeks ago in October when we found her during our morning drive. We had heard lions calling in the early hours of the morning in the northern section of the reserve around the Manyelethi River. Just when we started to think things weren’t going to be in our favour as tracks of two male lions that we were following crossed over our northern boundary, there was a sudden change in events.
Lions tracks heading towards the boundary.
We spotted the Tsalala Lioness walking over the boundary towards us. It’s hard to tell if she had been following the calls of the males or looking to avoid them. Either way, she kept us bouncing off the edge of our seats as we tried to keep up with her as she steadily walked across small ravines and through a thicket of bushwillow trees.
We had briefly lost sight of her in a thicket of vegetation, so ranger Keagan Chasenski and I headed off in different directions eager to track her down again on the other side. At this point, I must pause and say it still baffles me how quickly things can change or happen out here.
Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me on this particular game drive and so I never managed to capture what unfolded next.
The radio crackled with Keagan’s voice behind it, informing me that within the two or so minutes that we had lost view of her, she had caught a zebra and was in the process of bringing it down. I am sure she must have stumbled upon the zebra and all the factors were in her favour giving her the opportunity to catch it at such short notice.
We were overwhelmed by what was unfolding before us. Witnessing a predator making a kill is simply something quite extraordinary and as always mentioned, not for the faint-hearted. Yet no matter how you feel, you still end up being captivated by witnessing this circle of life. Having explained the legacy of the Tsalala pride to my guests, they could then also recognise the significance of what this particular kill meant for a solo lioness defying the odds.
The Tsalala lioness is always a lioness that always embodies strength, determination, and the willingness to survive.
As in the story above, the Tsalala Lioness has adapted her hunting strategy to suit her independent lifestyle, allowing us to be fortunate enough to witness several unique sightings where she has been hunting or moving around actively during the day. The rest of the ranging team and I’m sure the guests who were there at the time, as well as any blog readers, will all agree that the sighting of the Tsalala female attempting to steal a kill from the Senegal Bush Male has also been a highlight.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
I could also easily mention each specific sighting but to be honest there has always just been a sense of excitement and a sigh of relief each time she had been spotted knowing that she was still going strong over the last year.
The latest update
Following on from Kirst Joscelyne’s blog where hopes were high when one of the older original Mhangeni Lionesses was seen with the Tsalala Female. This duo, unfortunately, didn’t last as long as we had hoped. After spending nearly two months together they were last seen together in late September when things were no longer as friendly between the two as the Mhangeni Lioness fed on an impala kill whilst keeping the Tsalala Lioness at bay, not willing to share her meal. While we were rooting for the Tsalala Pride to become two once more or even speculating about the possibility of the Tsalala lioness being accepted into the Mhangeni Pride, this it seems was not to be.
It was certainly not something you see or even hear of when two lionesses from different feelings of pride join up together, no matter how closely they may be related. Naturally, we were hopeful the Mhangeni lioness would stay with the Tsalala female, but unfortunately, she seems to have only been a temporary companion.
The two had been immensely affectionate and close while they were together however it is believed that the Mhangeni Lioness is in fact pregnant after her mating bouts with the Plains Camp Males. She has now rejoined the Mhangeni Pride and left the Tsalala Female behind by herself once again.
So what’s next?
While I’m sure the Tsalala Lioness would have enjoyed the companionship of the Mhangeni Lioness, she is back on her own and still thriving. While there is no doubt that she will have many challenges ahead, with each sighting of her also comes new hope and of course speculations.
The latest includes the possibility of her joining up with the two Ntsevu lioness and their two cubs that have broken away from the Ntsevu pride. Or could it even be possible for her to form a new pride with the single Ntsevu subadult lioness that is still moving around with her four young Ntsevu Males? All of which are distant relatives to her in one way or another.
With the two Ntsevu Cubs part of the breakaway pride edging closer towards being subadults, it won’t be long until these two lionesses come into oestrus again.
The speculation here is whether they will look to integrate back with the Ntsevu Pride, currently dominated by the Ndzhenga Males or will they form a new pride? And how would they tolerate the Tsalala Lioness if they happened to cross paths?
What we can agree on is that if she hasn’t already come into oestrus at the age of three years and 8 months, it is only a matter of time before she does. The only question here is who is likely to sire her first litter of cubs? Will it be one of the Ndzhenga Males, the Plains Camps males, or possibly even the Northern Avoca Males? Some say it might even be the Nkuhuma Male that has now been seen regularly with the Birmingham Male – who is quite possibly the father of both these lions. But we will save the story on genetic diversity for another day. Come what may, we will be keeping as close an eye as nature will allow over them over the next few months!
The guts & Survival instincts this female has shown is purely incredible! Hopefully she will become part of a new pride soon.
I agree Gawie! We will certainly be keep a close eye and keep you updated.
I loved and respected her mother so much. It was devastating when she was killed. But I am so thankful that her daughter is using the skills she learnt from this wonderful lioness to continue the Tsalala name and keep herself in good stead. I’m praying for the best for this young lioness and her future ahead. Lord knows she certainly deserves it.
It is amazing to see her continue the Tsalala pride legacy and we can only hope she continues to do so!
It is impossible not to develop an attachment to these beautiful creatures after hearing about their beginnings and perseverence. I will be rooting for the success of the Tsalala lioness, and look forward to more updates on her!
Thanks Kylea, we are all rooting for her and we will certainly keep you updated!
Thank you so much for the update on the Tsalala lioness. She continues to inspire…alone and against all odds!
My pleasure Linda, she sure does continue to defy the odds!
Had the opportunity to see the Tailless Tsalala on my first visit, not realizing then that her end was imminent.
Sean’s blog in December 2021 (legacy of the Tsalala pride) referenced in this article is so detailed and informative.
I’m glad you got a chance to see the Tailless Tsalala and hopefully you will get a chance to see the Tsalala lioness on a future visit. I’m glad you enjoyed Sean’s blog too.
Great report Kelsey, thanks for keeping us up to date on the Tasala female.
Thanks William, always a pleasure.
We all root for the Tsalala lioness for sure. Wow that zebra kill sounded intense and I’m stunned that she climbed a tree and stole a kill from a leopard. She has nerve that is certain! Good for her finding any way forward she can.
She has really pulled off some amazing feats over the last year and I’m sure she will continue to do so 🙂
I am so hoping she manages to have the luck that her mother did (and the lone Southern Pride lioness did in the south) and raise some female cubs to maturity. If she’s got any ounce of her mother, great-grandmother, and aunts in her, I have no doubt she will be successful!
I hope so to Michael. She certainly has good genes on her side!
Thank you very much for this update on the Tsalala Lioness, Kelsey.Somehow, I really like this lioness and love hearing that she is still doing well. It would be great if she could join some other lionesses and start a new pride together with them. She would be so much safer.
But anyway, she is fine and that’s so good.
My pleasure Christa, it is always great to see her and hear all the good updates.
Kelsey I really do hope that she can team up with the Ntsevu females. It must be so lonely for the Tsalala female to be on her own, although we know she has defined all the odds against her. She is a go getter at all costs.
She really is a go-getter Valmai so I’m really hopeful she either expands the Tsalala pride herself or manages to integrate with another pride.
Great article, fascinating story still being told.
Unfortunately theirs only one Northern Avoca left now. I’m pure gutted about Blondie and then Dark Mane just a few days ago.
Thank you Tony.
Yes, it is sad to see them go and their passing might also create another new dynamic to consider – we will be sure to keep you updated!
Thanks Kelsey for your article highlighting my favorite lioness, Tsalala. It’s hard to believe a year has passed since she lost her mother, but like her, she’s resilient and clever. I also would hope she could form a bond with another pride so she would have support when hunting and companionship – perhaps even meet one of the males when she’s ready to mate and and raise one or more cubs. Looking forward to her next story!
I’m glad you enjoyed the update Denise. It is crazy to realise a year has already passed! I’m very hopeful that she will be able to raise cubs successfully and continue the legacy of the Tsalala pride.
She was recently chased on Mala Mala by the two Ntsevu mothers with the two Birmingham cubs so I don’t think it’s likely that they would accept her. But it’s possible that she could form a bond with the sub-adult Ntsevu lioness. I certainly hope so. She needs long-term companionship.
Also, I hope when the time is right she finds other males than the Plains Camp coalition to mate with. There is much speculation that they were responsible for her mother’s death. It would be rather bittersweet if they were to sire her cubs.
Yes, we heard about that chase! and it is very unlikely for her to join up with them, especially while the two cubs are still so young. We can only speculate for now as to whether she will join up with another pride or lioness and who she will mate with but we will be sure to keep you updated.
Top news this week! After the ostrich now the Tsalala female. I do hope she will find mates to form a pride, however, she is such a strong smart perfect lioness she is able to fend for herself. A shame for her mother that was a supreme selection by nature too. Hopefully she will continue the legacy! Thank you so much for his precious update !
My pleasure Francesca, I’m so glad you enjoyed the update. I am very hopeful she will continue the legacy of Tsalala pride by successfully raising her own cubs!
I always appreciate and update on the Tsalala female, although this time I’d hoped there was news of cubs. 😉 All in due time (I hope).
Not just yet, but I am hopeful too that cubs will be the update in the coming months! 🙂
Great update on an amazing lioness! Her history and story of her young life is inspiring and remarkable. Survival is in her genes. She is a young warrior princess who has survived against all odds. Everyone hopes she finds a partner or pride. Life as a lone lion is incredibly dangerous and risky. Please keep us all updated on her. Thanks.
Kelsey I know I’m rather late with this reply, but I just had to say how much I enjoyed your blog on my absolute favorite Princess. She has done so well after the traumatic fight during Covid when her mother was attacked followed by her death. Just wonderful to know that she is managing so well and I truely hope that she finds a pride to belong too and a long life to follow. Thank you for sharing some lovely photos of Tsalala 🙏🏻
Tsalala has been one of my favorites since seeing her and her mother in early July 2021 crossing the Sand River in the western SS. She is such a resilient survivor and I really hope that she manages to survive and thrive and raise some exquisite cubbies. She obviously has mastered the art of being very leopard-like, but I still will hope that she is able to join up with another female to have someone to raise the future lions of Sabi Sands with.