By 2000 eight of the surviving cubs were adolescents who were gradually emerging as a strategically organised team. But tension in the male leadership arena made Khali's life unstable once again. Scar had been deposed following Scruffy's death and new males were on the prowl. Once again, Khali and the other lionesses were torn between caution and curiosity.
Two males from the neighbouring Topi plain made repeated forays into the marsh and with no other male to help him defend the territory, Scar was forced out. The remaining adolescent males left with him and the youngest cubs were probably killed.