Over the past few months we have been allowed a look into the very secretive and special relationship that exists between a female leopard and her cub. Much to the dismay of many guests and staff, we reported on the death of this cub a week ago and it has been amazing to see the outpouring of sadness and love for this little creature since then.We know that this is nature’s way and a fact that must be accepted but what has really struck me is the huge impact this young animal managed to have on so many people around the world in its three short months with us.
The Nanga female with her cub. It was amazing to watch the interactions between these two. Apart from just suckling, the mother also spends a lot of time grooming and playing with her cub.
It seems this cub had an energy that was so wholesome and infectious that it managed to ravel everyone who met him in it. Guests who had been privileged enough to see it or who had just spent time with me even trying to track it, would email and ask for updates on his life and it was amazing to see the ripple effect he had.
Although leopard cubs are born with blue eyes, most cubs lose this colouration quite early on. One of the very special things about this Nanga cub was how long its eyes stayed blue.
It seems that through the eyes of a cub, the world is mysterious and full of promise. He carried with him an absence of fear, an air of innate mattering and a complete lack of insecurity that was impossible to resist.
The cub explores the rocky den site chosen by its mother. These are ideal spots to raise cubs as they typically have lots of crevices that the cubs can slip into to stay away from danger while their mother is not home.
What it taught us is that life is not about how long one lives, but what you do with it while you’re here that counts. This cub would never have known it but it managed to live an incredibly generous life, giving huge joy to everyone who came across it. It seems this small cub unknowingly taught us what it means to have lead a truly ‘successful’ life.
The cub practices its killing skills on his mom’s flicking tail. Being the only cub in the litter, it was always full of pent up energy by the time its mother came home and it would use her as its play toy. It was incredible to see how patient she was with this bundle of energy.
For those of you who didn’t get to meet the Nanga cub, have a look at the footage of him interacting with his mother below. In a few short minutes you’ll understand why it is that this cub is already one of Londolozi’s most loved.
The Nanga female was born to the Nyelethi 4:4 female in 2009 as part of a litter of three.
Written, Filmed & Photographed by: Amy Attenborough (Londolozi Field Guide)
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Great blog Amy. Still sad that the cub is no more. Awesomecvideo
What a feisty little cub! Reminds me of Zawadi
from the Masai Mara. It is what it is! Thank you for sharing the beauty of s Leopard.
Video is to die for. Thank YOU!
That’s why one comes back to the “Leopards of Londolozi”!
Beautiful!
Jan-Erik
This post brought tears to my eyes again. Spending time with this cub was such a special experience. I know it’s a fact of nature, but it doesn’t make any easier to accept that we wont’ see him grow up.
Even though I have never been to Londolozi, but like a lot of bloggers we have the privilege of seeing the wild on our computers, I could not bring myself to comment on the death of this beautiful little cub. Your video is absolutely stunning & that memory alone will keep the little one alive in our hearts. Thank you so much Amy
sorry, but I missed what happened to this cub… please let me know.
Hi Connie. I’ve attached a link here to James’ blog where you can read more about what happened to the cub. Thank you! http://blog.londolozi.com/2015/06/nangas-cub-gone-but-not-forgotten-2/
Amy. This is one of the best articles to ever come out of Londolozi. It is beautifully written and the photos are superb. The video is the BEST EVER! I am trying to figure out how to down load it into my ipad so I can show to people I meet all over the World. Thank you for your thought, “It isn”t about the length of time you are here, it is about what you contribute while you are here. A lovely expression of the value of life.
Thank you so much Ed! I’m really glad that you enjoyed it so much.
Beautiful tribute to a sweet baby who will live on in this blog. Thank you, Amy, well done.
Yes, great blog, thank you. Love the pics and video!! It was nice to see more on the cub today…was so looking forward to watching him grow up. How’s the Nanga female doing?!?! Thank you!
Hi Kim. The Nanga female is doing very well thank you! Although there is typically a period of two or three days where they call around the den site after their cubs’ death, it is amazing to see how quickly the females tend to accept the reality of the situation, showing incredible resilience. She really is an amazing leopard.
Amazing video and a wonderful tribute to that sweet, spirited cub! I wish my daughter and I had been among those lucky enough to have seen him.
What a wonderful tribute, Amy! Your images are special and the video brings back so many of the memories – and tears, as well. I still don’t understand his death and what happened, but I’m so happy to have seen him and the two of them together. Thanks!
Fabulous video, Amy!
Loved the cub and the Mama!
Boo boo, little cub…..
OMG that footage is just beyond precious. How long were they at the sighting?
Those bright blue eyes are certainly show-stoppers.
My fave pic is the one with the tail.
Well done, Amy! Thanks for sharing with us.
Hi Rae. Thank you very much. We were probably in the sighting for about 45 minutes or so. Cubs of that age tend to go between bouts of intense rest and intense play. So often you may know that the cub is there but if it is tired or its mother is not at the den site, you won’t actually see it as it will rest in the rocky crevices. It was therefore a huge privilege for me to get to see and film this particular sighting. Certainly something I will never forget!
This is incredibly nice. Beautiful job Amy. Wished we could have seen this wonderful leopard cub. Sorry the cub is gone but a life well lived. I know this was a big loss for Nanga.
Such a beautifully written blog Amy, and the video and images are incredible. It made me cry again. One little cub gave so much to the world in such a short lifetime and touched all our hearts.
So very precious….
Amazing video Amy! This melts my heart…
Thanks Amy! The video was fantastic. Your comments really put things in perspective. RIP little guy!
heartbreaker
Thank you, Amy. My heart still breaks for the little cub that we spent hours watching.
Very Sad story……It made me cray. Unforgettable One.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of adorable cub and his mother. I missed what happened to him. I hope mother is alright.
Hi Sheri. Here is a link to James’ blog that explains what happened to the cub. You’ll also be pleased to know that the mother is absolutely fine. Thank you! http://blog.londolozi.com/2015/06/nangas-cub-gone-but-not-forgotten-2/
I watched Amy s brilliant video again today of Nanga & her sweet cub. I’m still saddened by the loss as so many others are but it helps me to project that maybe, just maybe the young cub’s soul will rise again in another cub, perhaps from another Leopard mother. Of course, we would never have become so enchanted by little blue-eyes if it were not for Amy s amazing talent & the great skills of Londolozi ‘s trackers. Thank you. Suzanna.