Lions of Sabi Sands

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It is with great sadness that we have to report the death of the younger of the two Sparta/Eyrefield lionesses. 

This loss delivers another destructive blow to a once over 20 members strong pride that occupied a vast area around Londolozi. The downfall of the pride that gained further prominence through raising the Mapogo male lions, was a process that proceeded slowly over the last years. When there’s a crucial point to begin with it’s surely the death of the old lioness and littermate of the Mapogo lions in 2013 as well as the departure of the their dominant pride males, the Majingilane coalition in 2015. Not only were the remaining three adult lionesses inexperienced first-time-mothers (hence they lost some of their 7 cubs), the territory-shifting of the Majingilane males allowed the Kambula pride to venture deeper into central Londolozi. Being a bigger pride and soon well established through a continuous mating with the Matimba as well as the Matshapiri males, they forced the Sparta lionesses further south, killing one of them in the process. From then on they scraped a living by being basically nomads that benefited from a lack of prides at southern Sabi Sands. Nevertheless the older of the two lionesses lost another litter in 2018 and thus crushing once again the hope of a successful pride rebuilding. The small hope grew stronger again after she gave birth to two more cubs in July/August 2019 from which she lost one. Even when the younger female was still without any cubs, her presence not only increased the security of the surviving cub but she also added serious value to the hunts. With the news of her death now the future of the last remaining lioness and her cub remains dark. With being close to 13 years old it’s legit to say that her current female cub is her last chance to successfully raise a successor that continues to bear the genes of the once powerful Sparta pride that is now more than ever at the verge of extinction. 

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Very sad news, this lioness was Majingilanes daughter, born around 2012, once mighty Sparta pride is now relying on 1 old lioness and her young daughter, future doesnt seems bright... Reply