Lions of Timbavati

[Potato]

Tanda Tula update

Just as I was getting ready to head on leave, a message was posted on our guides group informing us that some of the guides had found where the River Pride had moved their new cubs into our concession after a long absence in the north; typical.  Although, by the sounds of it, despite having the den site back in the area, the cubs were not on show much, and just as I arrived back, Glen informed me that they had tracked the lioness and cubs off our eastern boundary.  A few days later a large wake of vultures indicated that the lions had indeed made a kill in the area, and this morning we found tracks of the lions coming back into our area.   

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Alarmingly though, when the anti-poaching team was following up on the vulture activity, they found other lions around the remains of what looked like a lioness.  As this area is frequented by the Mayambula Pride, there is a concern that this large pride got drawn into the area by the vultures and surprised the River Pride, killing one of the lionesses in the process.  It is too soon to tell, but we sincerely hope that this is not the case, as with only three lionesses, it is not ideal losing one of the adults.  The Mayambula pride appeared to have popped in and out of the area in my absence, but they left little more than tracks; even one of the Skorro males made a return this week!  However, the Vuyela males remained very active in the central areas, and I am sure with their nightly roaring, no intruding lions are going to come near them.  The Sark Breakaways were around just before I headed on leave, but it sounds like a double giraffe kill in the Klaserie kept them busy and well fed for most of the week, but hopefully once that is done, they will return to our area.  In the west, the Giraffe Pride were reasonably active for most of the week and had their two new cubs on display for the guides that made the trip west.  Reply