We at Londolozi are pleased to announce the arrival of a new leopard to the family. The Vomba Female is the proud mother of a single cub, born approximately mid July 2012. About 2 weeks ago we managed to find the den site of this old female and were delighted when we saw the tiny tracks of a cub. The cub was being stashed away in a very rocky and inaccessible area (to vehicles) in front of Pioneer Camp, in the Sand River. Vomba Female has always been an individual who resides around camp and it was not surprising that she decided on this spot to invest her latest love.
The Vomba female was a leopard with an instantly recognisable rich golden coat. She spent much of her life around the Londolozi Camps.
Vomba’s movements are very difficult to follow with her spending the majority of her life maneuvering like a ghost through the dense vegetation of the Sand River floodplain. It is for this reason that sightings of her are infrequent. Her presence is undeniable however…the tell-tale barking of bushbuck, the alarming of Baboons and Vervet Monkeys combined with the small and slight tracks imprinted in the sand.
We did not want to get our hopes up. Ever since the birth of the Mashaba Female back in 2008, she has produced a number of cubs that have sadly not made it to the age where we get to see them. She has had a tough life and a simple history of her litters paints a picture of the complex and difficult life of a leopardess living in the wilderness.
History of the Vomba Female
Date of Birth: December 1997
Mother: Sunsetbend Female (b. Mar 1992)
Litters:
2003 – 2 Cubs – One killed at 3 months by hyena. The other, Vomba Young Female, is independent.
2004 – 2 Cubs – Both killed.
2005 – 2 Cubs – Litter disappeared
2006 – 2 Cubs – Male is unrelaxed and the other, Vomba 4:3 Young Female is independent (renamed Tutlwa 4:3 Female)
2008 – 2 Cubs – Presumed dead
2008 – 1 Cub – Mashaba 3:3 Female
2009 – Presumed to have cubs around Pioneer Camp. Litter was never seen, believed to have been lost.
2011 – Presumed to have cubs around Tree Camp. Litter was never seen, believed to have been lost.
2012 – 1 Cub – Current cub that was denned in front of Pioneer Camp
But so far so good for the new one. Just the other day, she finally bought the cub out of the river and into view of a handful of lucky onlookers. Hearts melted instantly…enjoy the first views of Vomba’s new cub!
The much loved Vomba Female has finally managed to raise a cub to an age at which its new mobility means that we get to see it. Here she is seen taking her newest and most precious cargo for it’s first observed walk away from the Sand River. In this picture they are seen walking across the clearing at the northern end of the airstrip
Considering this would have been the first time this cub ever saw a car he/she was incredibly relaxed when given space.
Bright eyes exude potential…love, passion, power, secrecy, commitment, endurance and intrigue.
It was finally led into a small drainage line not far from the access to Pioneer Camp.
The look that instantly stole the hearts of all the Londolozi staff. We hope that the old Vomba Female can keep this little precious leopard cub alive and pass on yet another wonderful present to the Londolozi Leopard family tree
The Sunset Bend Female family tree lineage
Written by Adam Bannister
Photographed by Jess Boon
Boon!! Oh my word!! Thats absolutely incredible!
What a beautiful little cub, fabulous news, the Londolozi family has a precious new member.
So happy for her to have a cub that seems to be thriving. Hopefully she will survive and we hope to hear (and see!) more updates on mom and cub. Anyword on the tailless lion’s (the older one) cub?
Amy the great news is that the cub is alive and well and moving around with the pride. It was seen for the first time away from the den-site two mornings ago with its mother and the rest of the pride on the airstrip.
Hey…that family tree needs to be updated…it’s pretty old
Great pics, the cub is really cute
how could that little face not melt you heart!
Adorable baby! Hopefully he/she is old enough to withstand the rainy season and the rising waters…perhaps that is why her siblings did not fair as well? He/she looks very capable however! Looking forward to more info, sightings and pictures of her/his progress!
Thanks for sharing!!
A beautiful and very cute cub. Thank you for the wonderful pictures. I hope the cub will make it to adulthood.
Beautiful cub – that is so exciting!
Please say that Campy’s the dad?!
We’re almost certain it’s the Marthly Male. It doesn’t look like Camp Pan will be siring any more cubs unfortunately. Tamboti female is probably his last hope, but his many mating bouts with her have produced nothing.
Maxabene was seen with a tiny, tiny cub a few weeks ago, but this may be either his or the Marthly Male’s….
What stunning pics Jess. Nature is just amazing!