Tsalala Young Male

Tsalala Young Male - "Solo"

Please remember the information is pieced together from Sighting Reports and Newsletters from Mala Mala, Londolozi, Djuma, Savanna, Nkorho, Elephant Plains, Singita, Exeter, Arathusa, Ulusaba, Inyati, Wildwatch, Idube, Leopard Hills, Simbambili along with helpful Rangers and staff at the various lodges and reserves answering questions sent their way. Some of the information may be conflicting.

Tsalala/Marthy Male AKA "Solo" - Territory is mainly Mala Mala, Elephant Plains, Londolozi

"Solo" was born in July 2005. He was one of four cubs (3 male, 1 female) born to "BB", the oldest surviving lioness of the Tsalala/Marthly Pride. She is easily identified by having no tail. Solo has two older sisters that have played a big part in his survival.

Sired by: The Split Rock/Marthly/Robson Males

In December 2005, "BB", Solo's Mother, was thought to have been in a fight with Hyenas. The altercation left her with no tail, bitten off close to the base. She survived but by March 2006 only Solo and one of his brothers remained alive.

Late in December 2006, Solo's brother was killed by the Roller Coaster/Shaw/Castleton males.

Solo has been protected from the attacks of the Mapogo/Eyrefield Males as well as other male lions trying to take over the Tsalala pride by both his Mother and his older Sisters. Reports indicate BB has fought off the oldest Mapogo Male when he would threaten and chase Solo. His Sisters took him in tow many times along with their surviving sub adult female. He would hide when the Mapogos were near and the Sisters would call him out or fetch him when it was safe. They provided his nourishment and as safe an environment possible during these traumatic times brought on by the Mapogo Coalition of six male lions.

Eventually, Solo could no longer depend on his pride protecting him. They had fallen under the control of the Mapogos and he seemed to disappear for awhile.

Early 2009, a young male lion attached himself to the Eyrefield Pride which consisted of 3 adult lionesses and 9 sub adult cubs. Eventually he was accepted into this pride and even accepted by the dominant male the old Roller Coaster Male. This youngster was eventually identified as being Solo.

The pride he joined was comprised of 2 of the Mapogos Sisters along with one older lioness possibly the Mother of some of the Mapogos. This did not keep him safe from the advances of the Mapogos however.

In April of 2009, the Mapogos began attacks on the Eyrefield Pride. These attacks continued into May. Many times the pride being split up for days. Fortunately, all the adult lionesses, Solo and the old Roller Coaster Male survived these attacks. Two of the sub adult cubs sadly did not.

Currently, Solo, the Eyrefield Pride and the Roller Coaster male are thought to have fled Mala Mala. They are believed to be in the Londolozi/Dudley/Nottens areas.

As of the first part of June 2009, it is still believed that Solo is with the Eyrefield Pride.  Reported by Mala Mala that the pride took down an adult Giraffe with the help of Solo and the Rollercoaster Male.

June 10th report indicated all were accounted for with the exception of the Rollercoaster Male.

June 12th - 26th sightings by Ulusaba - Though no specific date was given, the entire Eyrefield Pride was said to be in Ulusaba. Smack in the middle of Mapogo and the Ximungwe Pride's territory. Ulusaba listed the count for the pride as 12 which included one Male lion. Assuming the count was correct, the Roller Coast male and the young Tsalala male should both have been in attendance. A photo showing the pride in Ulusaba clearly shows that indeed Solo was with them.

June 24th 2009 - The entire Eyrefield Pride including Solo were found near Lion Loop in Mala Mala resting up. Only the old Roller Coaster Male was missing. As dusk approached the pride got active. Heading towards the Sand River they came across a Buffalo Herd that was just leaving the river area. The lions took the opportunity to follow the herd across the Sand River. They closed the gap on some stragglers but soon were noticed by the herd's rear guard bulls. Three large bulls turned to face off with the lions. For quite some time the pride played cat and mouse with the bulls and began to slowly wear them down. Luckily, the bulls caught onto the lions strategy and returned to the safety of the herd. With the herd now tightly grouped the lions could not penetrate them. Finally they charged the herd sending them stampeding in the hopes of some stragglers they could take down but this did not play out for them. The pride finally gave up and rested. The next day, 25th, the pride was again located and were looking lean. By mid day they move out of the Mala Mala viewing area.

Solo is said to be maturing into a beautiful, strong male lion. Let's hope this brave youngster can survive and find his niche within the lion dynamics.

Videos by jednaxle of "Solo", his Mother "BB", and her 3 plus month old cub that later disappeared. From Mid 2008:

Lioness, Lion and Cub at Elephant Plains

Lion Family (Tsala Pride/Tsalala) and Elephant Plains

Lion Family (Tsala Pride/Tsalala) and Elephant Plains 2

June 2009

By Aquila & Karen in VA