lions Archives - Leopard Hills

The Othawa’s expand…again

Posted on 5 January 2019 by LH Focus Online

Survival of the fittest is the rule of the bush. With that said, it is always a pleasure to see the animals grow and survive.

The young Othawa lioness was seen mating with a Matimba male lion late last year. We waited with great anticipation whether she would fall pregnant.

Soon afterwards we saw signs that she was pregnant. Just before the year ended we received exciting news that the lioness gave birth. There was great speculation whether the first time mother would manage to keep her cubs safe.

A few weeks later we had the privilege to view the lioness with three healthy cubs. The mother found a rocky outcrop where she could hide the cubs if need be.

The new cubs were introduced to the pride very quickly. Thereafter, they spent a few weeks in solitude so that the cubs could adjust to their new surroundings.

After acclimatising the female decided to move the cubs yet again. We had the most amazing sightings of her parading the cubs down the road and through an open clearing.

The Othawa lioness escorted the cubs safely to the remaining pride. They have integrated well and their survival looks promising so far.

Written by – Cal Butler

New blood

Posted on 7 September 2018 by LH Focus Online

The ultimate reign of the Majingilane male lion coalition has come and gone. Their spectacular memories will last a life time. They have, however, left a great gift behind.

One of the Othawa lionesses has successfully reared a litter of three cubs. There was great excitement when news broke out that the cubs were born. Being an experienced mother, she chose a well, secluded den site in a thick drainage line. We waited a couple of weeks before she finally revealed her cubs.

It has been a real pleasure for us to view these little cubs grows up. They are currently around 5 months old.

Two Matimba male lions made their way onto our property recently. With cub mortality rates being really high, we were really concerned that the Matimba males would discover the Othawa cubs. The mother has done a phenomenal job at avoiding the movements of the Matimba’s and keeping the cubs safe. We were also glad to see how tolerant the Othawa male lion was when the cubs were introduced to the pride.

The cubs are currently at a very playful age and spend a lot of time play fighting, stalking and ambushing their siblings. This is very necessary in order to learn the valuable skills that they would need in order to survive the tough life out in the bush.

Written by: Cal Butler

A bush full of colour

Posted on 21 August 2018 by LH Focus Online

As the bush reaches the end of the dry season, it can start to look rather drab and dreary. However, under certain conditions there are beautiful colours that can be seen during and after game drive.

During the winter months there is a lot of smoke hanging over the horizon caused by nearby villages burning their fields. This creates a beautiful filter through which sun must rise and set.

From time to time we experience an early morning mist. This adds a whole new dimension to the surrounding bush. One might also see numerous amounts of spider webs laden with water droplets.

Once the sun has set the sky softens with some spectacular pastel colours still present. This light often allows for great silhouette images.

Recently we experienced a beautiful full lunar eclipse which resulted in a blood moon which could be seen during dinner time in our outdoor boma area.

When the skies are clear and the moon has not yet risen, The Milky Way will stretch across the length of the sky.

Written by – Cal Butler

Lions and hyena with a python kill

Posted on 27 July 2018 by LH Focus Online

Plans don’t always go according to plan. Even on game drive plans can change in an instant.

Ranger Cal and his tracker, Mowell, were heading down to some lions not too far from the lodge. On the way Mowell spotted a hyena in a clearing. He suggested we quickly view the hyena and then head off to the lions. As we approached, Mowell said, “I think it is eating something”.

We approached the hyena and nobody could believe their eyes. In its mouth hung a large African Rock Python. We don’t know what killed it.

To add to the spectacle, some impala started alarm calling in the immediate vicinity. We knew they weren’t phased with the hyena. We decided to go investigate as the lions were not too far from the area. As we drove through the block we spotted two Mhangene subadult lions hiding in the grass.

The two felines waited patiently until the hyena moved off. They approached the kill with great caution and eventually tucked into their meal.

This was the first time that both Cal, Mowell and our guests had ever seen this type of sighting.

Written by: Cal Butler

Mhangene’s saving grace

Posted on 9 May 2018 by LH Focus Online

Life can be tough in the bush, even at the best of times. For the subadult lions of the Mhangene pride life seems to be hanging by a thread.

The Mhangene pride was once a highly successful pride and their numbers stood strong at sixteen. The pride consisted of 4 adult females, 3 female cubs and 9 male cubs. The adult females were ferocious hunters and were highly skilled at taking down buffalo.

With a weekly supply of fresh buffalo, the young cubs always had round bellies and have since grown into sub-adult lions.

There was word of some large male lions making their way towards the western sector of the Sabi Sands. Soon afterwards the adult females made their way towards those males to mate with them and they simply haven’t returned since.

The sub-adults were left to fend for themselves for the last 2 months. They were all inexperienced and had not been taught how to hunt correctly. This lead to their detriment. Two sub-adult females have since perished and the young males find themselves in a very vulnerable position. They had become extremely skinny and their lives are hanging on by a thread.

Last week something miraculous happened. The young males managed to find some energy and somehow killed a buffalo on their own. This event was with out a doubt their saving grace and has provided them with enough food to last a little longer.

Written by: Cal Butler