The mighty Sparta

We spotted the Sparta pride in the far eastern reaches of Singita’s 18 000 hectare (45 000 acres / 180 square kilometers) traversing area. The pride consists of three adult lionesses and nine youngsters – five of whom obligingly posed for the portrait below!

These cubs have got big paws to fill as it’s their mighty brothers who now rule the Sabi Sand as the much feared “Coalition”.

What normally happens is that female cubs stay with their mothers, and expand the core pride, while young males leave at about 24 months and eventually, after a few years of lying low, try to stake their own claim on a territory.

I noticed that the mothers’ coats were sleek and beautiful while the youngsters’ were full of scratches and little wounds. The cause became obvious after observing the cubs for an hour – they didn’t sit still for very long and were otherwise a constant tumble of claws, paws and jaws! As the saying goes; “Play is the ancient dress rehearsal for the kill” and they play just as hard as they can!

Lions are social cats and thrive on touch to strengthen and reaffirm their bond.