Tumbela Coalition

The Tumbelas are a coalition composed of two male lions. Formerly a coalition of three, the third member of the coalition passed away in September 2021.

The coalition currently occupies the far western areas of the Western Sector such as Ulusaba, Savanna and Inyati. They are dominant over the Othawa Pride.

Early Years
The Tumbelas were born in 2016 to the Nharu Pride of the Manyeleti Game Reserve and were sired by the Thanda Impi coalition.

Originally six males, at some point during their sub-adult life, their sixth brother would leave the Nharu Pride and join the Mbiri Pride. This male would later go on to form the Tintswalo Coalition with 3 Mbiri Males.

Adult Life
After dispersing from their natal pride, 5 young Nharu Males began their life as nomadic males. They entered the Kruger National Park where unfortunately two members of the coalition disappeared for unknown reasons.

In early 2020 the three remaining males ventured in the Sabi Sands and by august had made their way into the Western Sector. Pushing further west, they entered the territory of the ageing male Hairy Belly Matimba. Due to their elusive nature, they were given the name "Tumbela" meaning "the hiding ones" in the Shangaan language.

At first the three avoided the big male but as their strength grew they began to make their presence more known, vocalising and mating with the local Othawa Pride lionesses. Eventually by December 2020 they had taken full control of the Othawa Pride, ousting the Matimba male and chasing away four Othawa sub-adults.

Summer 2021 saw the decline of one of the Tumbela males as he continuously lost condition seemingly as a result of an unknown health condition. It was during this time he managed to survive an attack by Hyenas but was left wounded on his hind legs. The males condition did not improve despite regular killings made by the Othawa pride and he was last sighted in September 2021, leaving just two Tumbela Males remaining.