Just over a year ago, lions were reintroduced into the heart of Zululand and now, the reserve is celebrating the first-known birth of cubs in over 150 years.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (11 July 2024) – Two male lions were reintroduced into the spectacular rolling valleys and bushveld of Babanango Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal last year. It was the first time in 150 years that the predators were known to be in the area. Now, we are celebrating the birth of three cubs. And the added bonus of a white rhino birth too!
The team are absolutely thrilled to announce the births at the reserve, with the lions cubs being a first (as far as everyone knows) in over 150 years.
The aim of the Reserve, has been to reintroduce the large mammal species back into the area. Working on this project over the past seven years, Babanango Game Reserve has been selectively sourcing over 3,000 large mammal species and sensitively reintroducing them back to 20,000 ha of previously overgrazed wilderness, the heart of Zululand.
“As a newly established Big Five game reserve, it has been a joy and a privilege to watch the animals adapt to their new home,” says the reserve’s Ecologist, Stuart Dunlop.

Births prove that the animals are settling in well.
“The lionesses were only introduced onto the reserve last year and to already have our first cubs is remarkable,” says Dunlop.
“The male lions were seen mating with her earlier in the year, and around April it was noted that she spent a long period in the same location – a common sign of a lioness being pregnant. After monitoring her behaviour, it became evident to us that she may have cubs.”
“Not only are these the first lion cubs for Babanango Game Reserve but they are the first known lion cubs to be born in this area in over 150 years,” adds Stuart, “making this a true conservation success story.”
The team were excited when they spotted a new white rhino calf too. The calf is a few weeks old and will stay close to its mother for a few years, learning essential survival skills. This birth is a great celebration and comes with the exciting news of several pregnancies too.

“Several of our other white rhino females are also showing signs of being pregnant – a sign that they are settling in well on the reserve,” adds Dunlop.
Many may fear us discussing these births but rhino conservation and protection are of paramount importance to the game reserve. The rhinos are protected 24/7 by state-of-the-art surveillance and hyper-alert security.
The reserve stresses that the global battle against rhino poaching is ongoing and unrelenting. It is this fact that makes news of the birth even more exciting! It is cause for celebration and serves as a reminder of the importance of the conservation efforts that go into protecting them.