Birmingham Male Lion Searching for Tsalala Lioness

James Tyrrell September 17, 2018 16

The lonely roars of the Tsalala lioness have been emanating from the Sand River a lot recently. I use “lonely” in the acceptance that it is a human construct, and …

Lions Wildlife

Ntsevu Lioness Shows off Her Tiny Cubs

James Tyrrell September 9, 2018 13

As they so often do, this sighting began with impalas alarming in the distance. Ranger Sean Zeederberg and I were the closest, and between us managed to identify the rough …

Lions Wildlife

Throwback Thursday: Remembering the Last Sparta Males

James Tyrrell September 6, 2018 9

Much like how political constituencies need their representatives, it is becoming more and more the norm for wildlife populations to need a face towards which we as people can direct …

Lions Wildlife

Lion Update: Lots of Question Marks

James Tyrrell August 29, 2018 20

Do you ever get that feeling like something’s been sitting in equilibrium for too long, and change is imminent? Not necessarily drastic change, but something has to give soon, or …

Lions Wildlife

Tsalala Males Return and Kill Zebra

James Tyrrell August 21, 2018 8

It was a rainy cold day, unusual for winter, and Alfie Mathebula was driving in a particularly thick section of the reserve, trying to find a leopard. Tracker Terrence Mahlaba …

Lions Wildlife

How Many Leopards Have Lain on This Rock?

James Tyrrell July 31, 2018 1 8

In the north of Londolozi, the Manyelethi River snakes through granite crests and rocky outcrops, its banks draped in the shade of towering Jackalberry trees. The river only flows occasionally, …

Leopards Lions Wilderness teachings Wildlife

Tsalala Lioness is Alive and Well

Pete Thorpe July 26, 2018 20

The fate of the remaining Tsalala lioness has been one of the biggest concerns on everybody’s minds since the legendary sisters, the Tailed and Tailess lionesses died in February and …

Lions Wildlife

Tribute to the Majingilane

James Tyrrell July 21, 2018 36

This is way overdue, as I’m sure many of you will agree. To be honest I didn’t really know what to say for a long time; caught between the sadness …

Lions Wildlife

Lions Execute Perfect Ambush

James Tyrrell July 5, 2018 5

Some days you just get lucky. Chris Goodman and I were driving around near the Sand River when we heard a bushbuck bark down in the palm thickets. Knowing the …

Lions Wildlife

Lions Take Down Wildebeest Unexpectedly

John Mohaud June 24, 2018 9

Three vehicles were sitting watching two Birmingham males and three Ntsevu females as dusk fell, hoping they would get active. A bit of grooming was taking place but all in …

Lions Wildlife

The End of an Era: Tailless Lioness Dies

James Tyrrell June 7, 2018 45

The Tailless female has succumbed to her wounds. Her body was discovered at Marthly Pools, on the banks of the Manyelethi River, within metres of where her mother was also …

Lions Wildlife

Tailless Lioness Badly Injured

James Tyrrell May 30, 2018 25

Fate has not been kind to the Tsalala pride. One only has to follow the trials and tribulations of these remarkable lions over the last few years to see that …

Lions Wildlife

Birmingham Males Brawl Over Lioness

James Tyrrell May 28, 2018 18

Photographs or video. Which one are you going to try capture? Decide now! Because invariably if you try and bounce between the two during a sighting, you panic, forget to …

Lions Wildlife

What Will Happen if the Mhangeni and Ntsevu Prides Meet?

James Tyrrell May 20, 2018 21

This isn’t the first time a group of lions has split from their natal pride and formed a new one. Nor will it be the last. Environmental conditions and pressures …

Lions Wildlife

Tsalala Males Reunite with Tailless Female

James Tyrrell May 16, 2018 14

Anthropomorphism is something I tend to disagree with. The attributing of human characteristics to an animal just doesn’t fit in my mind, as who are we to say that a …

Lions Wildlife