Lions of Sabi Sands

[Mapokser]

Lisa Antell's account of a sighting she had at Londolozi, September of last year, a strange interaction between Tsalala and her then 3 cubs with the smaller PCM:

Tsalala and her cubs with a Plains Camp male on Tavangumi Koppies in a fascinating and puzzling interaction.

Last September 12 2024 we came upon the lions resting at the base of the Koppies. As we pulled into the sighting Tsalala was urging the 3 cubs away and up into the craggy rocky koppies, putting herself defensively between them and the big PCM behind her.

The cubs promptly scrambled up and hid somewhere in the huge rocky outcrop, and Tsalala settled up high on the ridge top warily watching the male as he climbed around the rocks and poked his nose into many smaller cracks and crevices as if searching for something. Was he menacing the cubs? Was he seeking something else?

The big boy kept prowling around, his eyes peering very intently, all the while Tsalala kept a keen eye on him from above and the cubbies continued to be hidden away. Finally, we left them in the midday heat when the PCM settled down to snooze, allowing Tsalala to also rest awhile on top of the ridge. Still have no idea exactly what was happening, and slowly over the next few weeks all of Tsalala’s cubs disappeared forever.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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