Lions of Timbavati

[Timbavati]

(01-07-2022, 06:56 PM)Potato Wrote: Tanda Tula update

The lions were possibly the least cooperative of the bunch (actually wait, that honour definitely goes to the buffalos), and did make us work hard for our sightings.  The early part of the reporting period saw the Mayambula pride taking a leave of absence, but the River Pride popped in on a few occasions and even caught a baby wildebeest close to the camp one afternoon.  The Mayambula’s then did make a return just before Christmas and stayed until shortly before New Year, with one female leading us to believe that she may even have dropped her cubs on Christmas day, but this still needs confirmation.   

As the new year arrived, only the Skorro males made an appearance when they arrived to steal a zebra kill from some hyenas one evening before resting up for the day.  The lionesses from the Mayambula Pride remained alarmingly absent with only the tracks of a single lioness showing up in the area of the suspected den site occasionally.  The Ross and Hercules females were seen a few times in the western and central sections.  The best sighting was a showdown between these two cats and a clan of hyenas; the females did well to hold their ground, and without any food to fight over, the hyenas soon lost interest and moved off.  We could hear the Vuyela males roaring on a few occasions, but it seems as though they are reluctant to cross from the Klaserie and into the Timbavati. However, with the Ross and Hercules spending more time in our area, they may start making moves deeper into our concession as the year progresses. 

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Hercules lioness is looking in good condition. They have been quite active in the area lately Reply