The newest additions to the Southern Pride/Charleston union are these two 6-week old cubs, and guests at Umkumbe Safari Lodge have just enjoyed their most uninterrupted sighting of them at a recent buffalo kill on the traverse. The Southern Pride lionesses, including Floppy Ear – the cubs’ mother, were joined by one of the Charleston males and the pride proceeded to tuck into a fresh buffalo kill. The endearing behaviour between lionesses and cubs was irresistible to watch, while the Charleston male and his dislodged canine tooth showed no discomfort when it came to feeding.
We’ve enjoyed the presence of these lions for many years, and have seen them feasting, fighting, roaring, mating, and rearing cubs: a fantastic all-rounded look at the lives of these wild lions. About 7-8 months ago, two cubs were born to one of the Southern Pride lionesses and we have watched both of them grow up thus far. Now, the young male and female are the older siblings to the two new bundles of joy: both males.
Both new cubs are male, and one of the older cubs is also a male, which means their future is more challenging than the one female cub. Lion cubs have a mortality rate of about 50% meaning they only have about 50% of survival – not great odds at all! Vulnerable cubs are preyed upon by hyenas, leopards, and birds of prey, and can be killed by stampeding buffalo.
Lions are king predators, so competing predators would like them gone, and their prey species would also like them gone, which is why the cubs become so vulnerable. As if this isn’t enough, male lions have been known to kill the cubs sired by other males in order to strengthen their own gene pool within a pride. On top of this, male lions fight for their lives, for their territory, and for females, while female lions are accepted into their birth prides for life without having to fight.
We have enjoyed watching the Southern Pride and the Charleston males in all their endeavours over the past couple of years, and look forward to seeing what the future will bring for this growing family. The male lion with the dangling canine is going strong, despite his gory-looking injury. Some have been concerned about the possible discomfort of this Charleston male, but he has not slowed in any way and is in fact looking in better condition than his coalition partner! Just goes to show that lions are incredibly tough and can overcome adversity in many situations. Clearly, he is making do without one of this precious 4 canines, and we are thrilled to see him in action.
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