Every once in a while it is hugely satisfying to see the rewards of our work in action. The ‘work’ I refer to is hardly defined as work in most people’s books. It’s also the type of work we certainly never complain about! Im referring to the slow and gentle process of getting a leopard cub used to a car.
One may refer to it as a ‘habituation’ process whilst others refer to it as simply ‘relaxing’ the leopard to a game viewing vehicle. Whatever you want to call it, it is a slow process that requires us spending a progressively longer period of time with a leopard cub and then slowly but surely decreasing the distance from which we are parked from the animal. It is a strategy that we, at Londolozi, have been using with incredible success since the early 1970’s.
A photo of John Varty and Elmon Mhlongo tracking the original ‘Mother Leopard’ – circa 1980’s (Londolozi Archives)
It requires a large amount of respect for the animal and a realization that what one does, and how one treats an animal in its early days, will have direct implications on how that animal is viewed for the remainder of it’s life. If we are too pushy with a cub and put too much pressure on it then it will be scared of us and will have bad connotations with the vehicle; too gentle and not enough time spent with it and the leopard will remain shy and secretive and will run away when it sees the ‘unusual’ shape and smell of an approaching vehicle.
There is a very fine balance that we try to get just right!
There are numerous success stories of this process at Londolozi. One currently unfolding is that of the adorable Dudley Riverbank Female’s latest cub. Due to the way that this animal was treated from a very young age, it has now relaxed completely around the vehicles and as a result we are reaping the rewards. Sensational views of a 4,5 month old leopard cub in the wild! It is a real treat and every sighting marks the highlight of a safari.
This is without doubt the cutest picture I have taken of this sweet leopard cub. Hard work, skill, patience and luck are required to get a leopard to this stage.
The ‘relaxing’ of a cub, however, is just one of the stages…the first is to initially find the animal. A very very difficult task! The earlier you find it the more chance you have of a successful and rapid ‘habituation’. This is where our incredible tracking team comes to the front. The trackers at Londolozi are some of the best, if not THE best, in Africa and they are a major cog in the works of a successful safari.
The Londolozi tracking team is incredible. Here Judas, Richard and Jerry can be seen discussing the freshness of a leopard track in the Maxabeni Drainage
The leopard’s tail is a favourite play thing for the young cub
We invite you to come an experience the incredible talents of the Londolozi tracking team first hand, and be part of, and observe, the greatest known leopard gene lineage in Africa! Welcome to the famous Leopards of Londolozi.
Have a look at previous blog posts on this specific leopard cub to watch it’s growth and development
June 2012 A Brand New Leopard Cub
June 2012 First Footage of a New Leopard Cub
July 2012 Leopard cub plays with mother
Dudley Riverbank Female – August 2012
The Dudley Riverbank female was another successful cub of the 3:4 female that reached old age, eventually passing away at just over 17 years
Written, filmed and photographed by Adam Bannister
gorgeous…
Beautiful cub, thank you
That’s great! Julius and Eckson tried to track her and the cub the other day for my wife and I. No luck that day. I guess a video will suffice for now 😉
We were lucky to see four leopards in one day…Thanks to our very knowledgeable ranger James and the ever quiet very experienced Tracker Richard. Thanks Adam for sharing, we only left Londolozi 2 weeks ago and we so miss being there already. Hoping to come back. For now, we’ll just keep checking on your infromative blogs.
Absolute pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.
Kudos to everyone affiliated with Londolozi – the most amazing place I have ever been.
So wonderful! Great photo of the cub playing with the mothers tail. OK add the leopard cub to the male lions I want to see 🙂
Our family was at Londolozi just 3 weeks. It was the most amazing adventure any of us have ever experienced! As there were 18 of us, we were fortunate to have 2 rangers; James & Sean and 2 trackers; Richard & Mike. All 4 men were awesome, sharing their expertise while (seemingly) enjoying the silly goofiness of the Remmert family as the African bush became part of our lives. All of us hated leaving and look forward to the day we can return. Until then, we will read, in awe, your wonderful blog!
Thanks so much for making us part of your Londolozi family! Love to all, Cheryl & the whole Remmert family
Wow what a little Cutieee Putieee….I loved when the cub looked back at the truck….that Face!! Adorable…:)
Well done Adam & let James & Richard know a well done job in tracking our little cub.
Thank You again for the Great Pics & Footage.
How wonderful that there are humans who love & respect the animals so we may pay homage when we visit. Thank you.
You are right, the main word here is: RESPECT!!!
Thanks to all at Londolozi for showing that respect to animals – ALL animals!!
Awesome to see the continuation of Threefour’s legacy! Wish I could still be there to watch this cub grow, just as I watched her mom grow!!! Treasure every moment Adam, although from your comments it sounds like you do!! Congrats on an awesome Blog. I am addicted to my Londolozi fix, from your Blog!!
Hi Adam,
Great blog and shots, as usual! Well done and thanks for your input in keeping all your Londolozi visitors up to date. I really hope that I have the opportunity to see the cubs while I am there next week.
Kind regards,
Ted.
Hi Adam. It’s great to see to see this cutie on the blog – and it was amazing to see her in real life. Thank you again for making our visit to Londolozi so wonderful.
Christine
Awesome shots! Great to know how careful they are when introducing themselves to new wild ones.
Thank you letting us share in your part of the world,
Wonderful pictures! Is the cub a little male or female?