25 November
The Nkuhuma ladies were a tight family unit with all six cubs playfully snacking on a buffalo that their mothers and aunts had caught the night before. Two of the Birminghams joined in on the feasting and festivities. The lions remained at their food source from dawn to dusk and their celebrations seemed to stem from all lions looking very healthy, happy and very fat! 

[Screenshot: Levlovelev Bklyn] 

26 November

Two ladies that WE hadn’t seen for a long while were seen huddled in tiny kitten-like balls on territory that is certainly not theirs. The ladies were none other than two of the Styx pride members. 


 [Screenshot: Sue Templeton Deschene] 

Deep inside Djuma a scenario quite opposite to the Styx was playing out. The cubs of the Nkuhuma Pride were revelling in the excitement of the recent light rains. They seemed refreshed and rejuvenated – bounding over termite mounds, climbing small trees and play stalking each other. The lionesses took cue from the young cubs and started playing with the same zest that their littles exuded. 

  [Screenshot: Sue Templeton Deschene] 
27 November
Karula was spotted sauntering down Mamba road, she looked awfully hungry and on the prowl. Eventually after WE had followed her tirelessly she settled into the nook of a Marula tree and her day-time snooze commenced, only every now and then glancing to see if a meal had wandered her way. 

  [Screenshot: Lily Brown] 

27 November
WE certainly were being treated, not only had we seen the two Styx Pride members the day before, but now we were being introduced to the newest cubs on the block. The two tiny cubs were suckling and enjoyed a little cuddle with their mom – it would seem that they have yet to be introduced to the rest of the pride.


Later that evening a Styx lioness was seen in the Djuma area, she looked very sleepy as she groomed herself. WE can only wonder what these ladies were planning as they slowly encroached into Nkuhuma land. 
[Screenshot: Levlovelev Bklyn]  




27 November
After a long day of leaving the cubs to fend for themselves, Karula joined them for some afternoon family time. Hosana, started showing off by catching a little squirrel but he clearly was not hungry and only played with his food. Xongile however was feeling a little peckish and practiced the fine art of hunting – she caught the squirrel and and devoured her trophy meal in minutes. 


[Screenshot: Gabi Hossain]

28 November 
Mfumo had successfully kept Amber eyes away from the pride, WE found the courting couple on Djuma, huddled up together. It would have seemed that Amber eyes had finally given up on trying to return to her pride, even if it was just for that short moment of cuddle time. 


  [Screenshot: Sue Templeton Deschene] 


28 November
Well surprise, surprise! WE came across Tingana lying very comfortably under a tree, with a meal hoisted for dinner time. WE returned that afternoon and found him enjoying his dinner, but only briefly before he returned to the ground for more rest.

[Screenshot: Jenny Lenz] 
30 November 
The cat-streak had been shattered the day before with not a single sighting of a big cat, 80 days running and it came to a crashing halt. However, to make up for the sinking hearts and to start the Cat-streak afresh, Shadow showed off her tree-lazing skills. Shadow was not alone, having a stare-off with another big cat that had decided Arathusa was clearly the haunt for the day. 

[Screenshot: Diane M Adsit] 
The big cat in question was no other than a Birmingham Boy. The stare-off continued however, no conflict arose. The Birmingham was highly irritable for the remainder of the day, but who wouldn’t be; when you are stiff in the legs and being attacked by stable flies.

[Screenshot: Sue Templeton Deschene] 
The cat in the hat was definitely Karula sneaking up on an impala and on us! WE were totally surprised by the sudden presence of the Queen stalking a very unsuspecting antelope. Karula pulled out all the stops to make day one of the new Cat-streak a fantastic one. 

[Screenshot: Sue Templeton Deschene]

01 December
On the first day of Christmas 
Djuma sent to WE 
Six Nkuhuma cubs, 
disease free. 

The cubs were very fat and flat. The little lion cub with the floppy ear was the most active but unfortunately had no one to play with or work off the pot belly it was sporting. 

[Screenshot: @FuzzmanSparkles]
The morning started with an unusual sight that WE haven’t had in quite some time. Three Birmingham Boys loafing around, trying to get the attentions of Amber Eyes. Amber Eyes and Mfumo were slightly separated from the other two Birminghams. Although the other two were not spending time with Amber Eyes, they were occupied with a young buffalo kill that WE think the four of them had made. 
[Screenshot: @FuzzmanSparkles]
02 December
It was all rest and no play for these little lions. Amber eyes was still with the Birmingham boys and this left four other pride members to sleepily watch over the six cubs. The Birminghams have been seeking camera time recently and WE found the fourth Birmingham on a buffalo kill on Cheetah Plains. He did not eat too much and followed his kins suit  and rested under a thicket of shade. 

[Screenshot: @FuzzmanSparkles]