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Lions of Sabi Sands - Printable Version

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RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Guillermo94 - 01-16-2025

(01-14-2025, 03:38 PM)KM600 Wrote:
(01-14-2025, 02:50 AM)Lion1 Wrote: This two Oldtimers mean business  





These two are actually the most impressive coalition is Sabi Sands atm, not because of their size as they're definitely not the biggest, but in behaviour shown. Both males were two very dominant, aggressive males with their partners but had such a smooth transition from a rough nomadic experience to then trying to become dominant again within such a short timeframe after finding each other. The type of bond they seem to have is in no sense normal, almost like they were with each other from the get go, even some actual brothers don't share this type of bond, such as Kambulas. I mean in the last two months or so, they've had atleast two altercations with the PCMs, one with both PCMs after killing atleast one Tsalala Pride cub, and the other chasing most likely bigger PCM from Londolozi back West.

They've had atleast one interaction with Mantimhale males after they lost an Nkuhuma female to them, but it was clear they atleast put up a fight, as seen with Mantimhale injuries, and clearly aren't scared to get into further altercations with them as seen with them roaring above. I've always thought Mantimhales were the coalition who injured K5 and likely chased his brothers, but it seems most ppl now believe it was the veterans themselves, and ye I know it's the Kambulas, but still an impressive feat nonetheless. I doubt they will accept anymore members, but it would be great if they spread their genes one final time, unforttunately even if they can take a pride it'll be a huge ask for them to be around long enough to protect their pride until the youngsters are ready to leave.

Wonder if it was Kruger male lion was Southern Avoca male lion involve. He seems calm when Kruger male lion roars. 

Interesting Kruger male lion, Kambula and mantimhale know each other from Imbali lionesses? Would t they have cubs ?

RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - sunless - 01-16-2025

Flipside Wildlife Photography 
Lion chaos! PC Males chasing the old Southern Avoca male who tried to feed off their kill while they were distracted.  They later returned to the kill where the Nkhuma breakaways were also trying their luck, and the young male took a beating for trying!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D2PXJNoe9/

*This image is copyright of its original author


RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Tr1x24 - 01-16-2025

(01-16-2025, 03:16 PM)sunless Wrote:
Flipside Wildlife Photography 
Lion chaos! PC Males chasing the old Southern Avoca male who tried to feed off their kill while they were distracted.  They later returned to the kill where the Nkhuma breakaways were also trying their luck, and the young male took a beating for trying!

Fathers gave a clear message, its time to move out.

RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Lion1 - 01-16-2025






RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Mapokser - 01-16-2025

NK Breakaway is barely 3yo, this puts him and his sister in a tough position.

She'd have to go nomadic with him or stay alone in the West, outnumbered by every other pride.

RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Duco Ndona - 01-16-2025

Ideally Tsalala adopts her.

RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Tr1x24 - 01-17-2025

Video of PCMs vs NK B :



RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Mapokser - 01-17-2025

The Tsalala Lioness Has Been Mating Again…

The Tsalala Lioness does not need much of an introduction, as she has long been a symbol of endurance and adaptability within Londolozi. She is a lioness who has shown great fight and resilience against all obstacles that a lone lioness might face, and the recent loss of her three cubs was a sombre reminder of the unforgiving challenges that come her way on a day-to-day basis. But might there be a light at the end of the tunnel? The long-admired Tsalala lioness has been seen mating, yet again, with the Plains Camp Male lions.


*This image is copyright of its original author


The Tsalala Female and the larger Plains Camp Male drink as he bears a recent scar across his eye from his clash with the Southern Avoca Male.

As is often the case in nature, adversity has given way to a potential new beginning. After the loss of her three cubs, the Tsalala Lioness has spent quite a bit more time in the northwestern reaches of Londolozi. In recent weeks, she has been spotted around Ximpalapala Koppie, and more often than not, the Plains Camp Male lions haven’t been too far away. And yes, they have been mating.


*This image is copyright of its original author


The larger of the Plains Camp Males mating with the Tsalala Lioness

Some people might think that this mating period has come rather quickly for the Tsalala Female, but it is actually very normal. After the death of her cubs, the lioness’s body quickly begins the process of hormonal rebalancing, which allows her to fall back into estrus as fast as possible. This is a common physiological response among lions during times like this, and it ensures that no reproductive opportunities are wasted. While the emotional weight of her loss is evident, her return to estrus signifies a natural mechanism designed to maximize the chances of producing viable offspring in a challenging environment. By choosing to mate with the Plains Camp Males, she is not only following her instincts but also making a calculated move to improve her chances of successfully raising future offspring. But are the Plains Camp Males in a position to successfully sire cubs with the Tsalala Female, given the current territorial pressures from other male lions?


*This image is copyright of its original author


A big yawn for one of the Plains Camp Males as he wakens in the late afternoon.

In a recent Tsalala Female update, Sean Zeederberg touched on the then territorial pressures she faced while attempting to raise her cubs, but what has changed? Shortly after losing her first cub in what we thought was an altercation with the coalition of ageing nomads, the Kruger Male and Southern Avoca Male, the Plains Camp Males had a clash with the nomads, injuring the Southern Avoca Male who fled north leaving his coalition partner fleeing south separating the two individuals.

Further insights have been unveiled pointing at the possible culprit responsible for killing the Tsalala Cubs to be the smaller of the two Plains Camp Males. More on this to come.

Under the impression that the Southern Avoca Male may have succumbed to his injuries he reappeared in the southern parts of Londolozi a few weeks later but looking very weak, and the Kruger Male was seen not too far away either. Given the age of these two male lions, the likelihood of them being a threat in the future is slimming but sadly not out of the picture completely.



*This image is copyright of its original author


The Kruger Male poses as he listens to the distant roar of one of the Ndzhenga Male lions.

The Kambula/Ntsevu Males posed a dominating threat as they slowly expanded their reach and gained more confidence in the north, but recent interactions with the Plains Camp Males have pushed them back south to their natal region on the outskirts of the Kambula Pride’s territory.


*This image is copyright of its original author


Two of the Ntsevu Males cross the Sand River with some intent.


The two Ndzhenga Males are venturing further north, and their dominance is spreading. A recent standoff between the Plains Camp Males and Ndzhenga Males saw them chasing each other back and forth, but besides the intimidating display, the two coalitions went their separate ways and no one was harmed. Another potential threat to future litters of the Tsalala Lioness is the presence of the Nkuhuma Breakaways. Coming from the Nkuhuma Pride in the north, I can’t help but wonder whether the Nkuhuma Breakaways will be around long enough to pose a threat or if the Plains Camp Males will be able to keep them at bay. Only time will tell.


*This image is copyright of its original author


Sitting tall and resting in the shade on a warm morning, the Tsalala Female truly is a stunning lioness.

With the evident pressures of coalitions across the Tsalala Female’s territory, it is clear that the presence of the Plains Camp Males is going to play a crucial role if she is to successfully raise a litter of cubs. The prospect of another litter of cubs in the future is exciting, and it’s comfortable to say we are all in the Tsalala Female’s corner. But there are many questions that only time can answer. For the time being, we celebrate her resilience and continue to find hope that she will restore the legacy that is the Tsalala Pride. The legacy of the Tsalala Female has been filled with moments of tragedy and triumph, and I hope there is yet another moment of triumph just around the corner.

By Bryce Trodd: https://blog.londolozi.com/2025/01/16/the-tsalala-lioness-has-been-mating-again/

Bold highlight by me. As I'd said before, an eyewitnessed had shared a post saying that the smaller PCM looked to be hunting the cubs down despite initially being chill with them. Fathers of the year at it again... But anyway, once more we're only seeing Makhunga mate, if the smaller one doesn't mate, the same might happen again.

RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - afortich - 01-17-2025

(01-17-2025, 12:48 AM)Tr1x24 Wrote: Video of PCMs vs NK B :

Wow, it appears that PCMs gave quite a big beating to his son.

RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Ngonya - 01-17-2025

"New lions moving into the area is always exciting, especially when it is four up and coming males.
The four young Monwana males have made their way into the western sector, and spent the last week within our southern traverse.
Although these males will not be tolerated by the dominant Plains Camp coalition, it adds a great new dynamic to the area which has been a constant intrigue within the lion landscape around Dulini over the last few years."

Dulini, Neil Jennings


RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Tr1x24 - 01-17-2025

(01-17-2025, 03:17 AM)Mapokser Wrote: Bold highlight by me. As I'd said before, an eyewitnessed had shared a post saying that the smaller PCM looked to be hunting the cubs down despite initially being chill with them. Fathers of the year at it again...

I dont think thats true by any means, theres literally sightings of both males with Tsalala when she was pregnant, and sightings of smaller PCM with Tsalala and cubs bonding and playing.

RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - NLAL11 - 01-17-2025

(01-17-2025, 05:26 PM)Tr1x24 Wrote:
(01-17-2025, 03:17 AM)Mapokser Wrote: Bold highlight by me. As I'd said before, an eyewitnessed had shared a post saying that the smaller PCM looked to be hunting the cubs down despite initially being chill with them. Fathers of the year at it again...

I dont think thats true by any means, theres literally sightings of both males with Tsalala when she was pregnant, and sightings of smaller PCM with Tsalala and cubs bonding and playing.

As @Mapokser highlighted in the article, Londolozi have said there's now more reason to suspect him, though they indicated that it's not a certain verdict by any means. It sounds like they'll be releasing another article, or maybe a video, about the incident. So we'll see.

RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Duco Ndona - 01-17-2025

Its not unheard of that lions tolerate cubs for a bit before killing them. We shall see what Londolozi comes with later.

RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Mapokser - 01-17-2025

@Tr1x24 That was exactly what was reported.

They were together normally, suddenly Tsalala got anxious and protective towards the cubs in relation to the smaller PCM and called the cubs to hide.

Smaller PCM got up and went towards the cubs with clearly aggressive intention, that was witnessed and now Londolozi is claiming the same.

It was also the original report back in the day, that he was probably the culprit, because, well, it was what people saw. Since S.Avoca had an encounter with PCM at the time he ended up taking the blane, but everything points out to smaller PCM being the culprit.

It was not the first, nor will be the last time a male kills his own cub, it's not even the first time it happened to the Tsalala pride:

https://blog.londolozi.com/2011/12/29/tsalala-lion-cub-killed-by-majingilane-male-lions/

They caught up with the Tsalala Pride on Winnis Clearing and all hell broke loose. The young male lion cub of the Tsalala Pride was killed instantly by the Scar Nose Majingilane. He roared multiple times as he lay on top of his victim. The pride was sent scattering in all directions.

...

Why would the Majingilane Males kill their own cub? I do not have the answers… Did the Scar Nose Male not mate with the female, thus was he possibly not one of the fathers? Are the Majingilane Males not direct brothers as we had initially thought?

/\ Anyway, this was in December 2011, Majingis had been mating with Tsalala since 2010 and the other cubs were accepted.

If we've seen the Kambula females kill their own pride cubs after already being familiar with them, on more than one occasion, this shouldn't be a surprise.

RE: Lions of Sabi Sands - Tr1x24 - 01-17-2025

@Mapokser 

I can believe that if actually someone can confirm it, all what are we getting is "speculation" and "rumor".

I will not accept something based of speculation/rumor, just because someone saw PCM growling on cubs and Tsalala acting protective (which is normal when new cubs are introduced to fathers), doesnt mean he slaughter them later.

Cubs didnt die all at once either, first 1 disappeared, Tsalala would avoid him if that was the case and hide rest of the cubs, prob out of PCMs reach.