Lions of Sabi Sands

[RookiePundit]

The problem with the orphaned Sparta sub-adult is not that much she can't find food for herself, there was a smaller Tsalala lost cub (5 months old?) surviving on his own for 5 weeks before being reunited with his pride, miracles happen and some specimen can beat the odds, but this Sparta has nobody to be reunited with and thus no clear way out of the situation, her situation is rather permanent than temporary. Without joining other lions she would be stuck being alone and at best would have try to do what her mother could not, if she would reach adulthood (and find a male to mate with and is not infertile).

But who can she join? Besides possibly being tolerated by her fathers, other lions are gonna be likely a danger rather than a safe haven for her. Prides with cubs would seen her as danger and at this point she is more of a burden than help and far from being seen as a potential mate. Nomadic outcasts in similar situation might be more receptive, but not a great help (Mhangeni sub-adults were 12 and did not make it), she would need to stay disease and injury free and to have a reliable hunter who she could trail and be allowed to feast on scraps before hyenas move in. During pride takeover she would be killed so the new male(s) could mate with her mother, that reason is not there anymore, but there is no incentive for any nomadic males to help her in any way, that would take some unusual special behaviour. Unless they would consider her being possibly their offsppring, but her fathers are gonna be with their prides being fed that way, not hunting for themselves often enough. And now she is likely blocked from area she know the best by flooded riverbeds. Not much going for her, sadly. Reply