The Next Chapter for the Tsalala Pride – Londolozi Blog

All of us here at Londolozi have long been hoping for the day that we would see the ever-resilient Tsalala Pride start their next chapter. Our last update on the pride’s lone lioness was towards the end of May when we had compelling evidence that she had given birth. She had been seen west of our boundary, frequently travelling back and forth to a secluded set of boulders—a perfect spot to keep her newborn cubs safe. Since then, we have some exciting news about this next chapter in the life of the lone Tsalala Lioness that we wanted to share with you.

A Litter of Three

As of the beginning of July, we received thrilling news: she had been seen with a litter of three cubs. The first few months of their lives are by far the most precarious. The lioness must leave her cubs well hidden while she hunts, only to return to nurse them. During these absences, a myriad of dangers could threaten the cubs—ranging from rival predators to wandering males. Each day is a test of her ability to protect and nurture them while still being able to hunt for herself.

Mitigating the Dangers for the Cubs

One of the biggest threats the young cubs face is other lions. Fortunately, their mother has become a master of her craft at eluding interactions with rival prides. This wasn’t always the case with her late mother, who had some hair-raising encounters with the Ntsevu Pride when the current Tsalala Female was still a cub. Over the past year, the Tsalala Lioness has strategically moved further west, a move that bodes well for the safety of her cubs. This territory is less frequented by other coalitions, as this territory is controlled by the Plains Camp Males.

Back in May 2020, the mother of the current Tsalala Female was cornered on the northern bank of the Sand River by the Ntsevu Pride and Birmingham Males. They attacked her rump but she valiantly survived the interaction which is the reason the current Tsalala Female has a chance to continue the legacy of the Tsalala Pride.

The mighty Plains Camp Males who are most certainly the fathers of the Tsalala Female’s Cubs

A Lineage of Strong, Independent Females

The current Tsalala Lioness follows in the footsteps of a remarkable lineage of strong, independent females. Her mother, too, was a single mother who successfully raised her daughter to independence, echoing the incredible achievement of the original Tailless Female back in 2002. This matriarch managed to raise a cub alone, embodying the resilience and adaptability that define the Tsalala pride. Unlike other lions, which benefit from the social structure of a pride, the Tsalala Pride has repeatedly defied expectations, proving they can survive—and even thrive—against the odds.

Pictured here is the mother of the current Tsalala Female and the litter she was born into. She was also denned within a set of boulders just as she has now done with her litter of three cubs.

The Next Chapter

The next few months will be pivotal for the future of the Tsalala Pride, and what makes this chapter especially promising is that two of the three cubs are females. This could be a game-changer for the pride, offering a vital opportunity to rebuild their numbers and continue their remarkable lineage. If these young lionesses manage to reach maturity, they could help re-establish a strong and resilient pride, just as their mothers and grandmothers did before them. For now, the focus will be on survival. Their mother, equipped with years of experience and an instinctual drive to protect, will need to navigate the myriad challenges that lie ahead.

The current Tsalala Female moved her three young cubs from one den to another.

As we witness this story unfold, we hold our breath with hope and anticipation. The stakes are high, but so too is our optimism that the Tsalala Pride will bounce back. With the next generation poised to carry their legacy forward, we are reminded of the incredible resilience of the lions we get to see daily. Stay tuned as we continue to share updates.