Lions of Timbavati

[Timbavati]

A Timbavati update - Ross lioness - Nharhu Males - Monwana and Giraffe pride
Our lion sightings were relatively good this weekend, with the Nharhu males being particularly evident in the east this week. We mostly caught up with the two closely-knitted boys as the limping male was off with the River Pride to the north of the concession. However, when the pride did return late in the week, he re-joined his two partners as the females carried on south and settled in the area that we are increasingly suspecting one of them has given birth in.  Although we haven’t been able to confirm this by seeing suckle marks, the behaviour of the males, the pride and the presence of tracks for a single lioness moving in the area are causing us to think that it is more and more likely that she has given birth in the Machaton riverbed in the east. We will be sure to keep you posted on any updates should this be confirmed, and should the cubs show (although, this will only likely happen early in the new year).

The Ross lioness showed herself after a long absence, but her continued singledom seems certain proof that she is the sole surviving member of the once large pride.  She was looking in good shape for a lone lioness but didn’t get herself into my good books as it was her arrival on the scene that caused a pack of 20-odd wild dogs to run off and disappear as I was making my way towards the area one afternoon. That being said, it was a fair consolation prize to get to spend some time with the Ross female.  The Monwana males were seen a couple of times in the west, but one male looked to have quite a bad limp with his hip muscles looking very withered away.  That being said, Ginger didn’t seem him move, so we are only assuming he is struggling, but perhaps it was just the way he was lying.  Members of the Giraffe Pride were also reported in the area this week, but I didn’t venture west to see them. Reply