Lions of Timbavati

[Potato]

Tanda Tula update

I had been hoping to return to work with the news that our pregnant River Pride lionesses had given birth, but despite their near constant presence over the past few weeks, the pale lioness is still very pregnant, and after my sighting last night, it looks as though one of the other lionesses is not too far behind!  I have given up guessing when the cubs might be born, but this timeframe puts pay to my theory that she was actually carrying cubs sired by the Mbiri males (seen mating with her in early September), and has indeed been impregnated by the Nharhu males.

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These males are still doing well, although the limping male’s foot almost seems to be getting worse, and after a sighting of the whole pride last night, it became very evident of just how much he struggles to keep up with the rest of the pride when they are on the move.  Time will tell if he has the strength and determination to maintain his position as one of the dominant males of the pride, or if the injury of unknown origin, will prove too much for him.

The Vuyela pride (of five young males and one lioness) were also seen this week, pushing further south-east than they have before, and they seem to be getting quite comfortable in the area – a presence that makes for some potentially interesting lion dynamics over the coming year.  Needless to say, the Mayambula Pride have not been seen this year (although we did have a lovely sighting of all sixteen members feasting on a zebra kill shortly before Christmas), but a lone young male lion was seen moving around in their territory this week. Reply