We are sad to announce our belief that one of the Nanga female’s young cubs is dead. The female has been seen a couple of times in the last few days, but only one cub has been seen with her, and in an area where cub mortality is high, and entire litters often don’t make it, we can probably assume that the second cub has been killed.
The Nanga female was born to the Nyelethi 4:4 female in 2009 as part of a litter of three.
We are not sure exactly how or when, but what we do know is that 2 weeks ago there was an interaction between the Tsalala pride and the Nanga female and youngster(s). This sighting was described by Mike Sutherland in his article A Clash of Lions and Leopards. On that morning, only one of the cubs was seen by Mike and tracker Life Sibuyi, so it is always possible that it was that particular incident that claimed the life of the second cub.
The cubs drink together from a pool in the Manyelethi Riverbed, an area they spent the majority of their time during their formative months. The one that has disappeared is the cub closest to the camera.
So much happens during the hours of darkness that more often than not, a cub will simply disappear, and after a number of sightings of of the mother and a remaining cub, or no cubs at all, we come to accept its loss and move on. We don’t always know what happened in this wilderness of ever-present danger, but it is a natural part of the order of things.
The whole family together a month or two ago
The second cub is still healthy and growing fast, and his mother has been keeping moving him between the Manyelethi River and the Southern Cross Koppies. In fact, only yesterday morning, some of our staff climbed one of the koppies for sunrise coffee, and were surprised and delighted to see a fluffy, spotted head peering at them from over a boulder. The cub had been left by the mother when she went hunting, so after a brief yet wonderful view with binoculars, as the suns rays crept over the eastern horizon, the staff left the cub in peace to wait for the return of the adult female.
A shot through the bushes of the remaining cub, bumped into on top of Southern Cross Koppies by some of the Londolozi Staff during an early morning coffee excursion.
Life goes on for the Nanga female, her remaining cub, and indeed all the Leopards of Londolozi. Despite this sad bit of news, some happy stories seem to be rearing their heads. The Mashaba female has been seen once again mating with the Marthly Male, so there is a possibility of seeing new cubs in a few months time. We have been debating how soon she will be cutting ties with her current cub, and given the evidence, it seems that the process is well advanced. The Mashaba young female has been seen a couple of times with hoisted kills of her own, and the fact that her mother was forced into independence early (around 14 months) by her mother the Vomba female, could suggest that she is having the same done to her.
Written and Photographed by James Tyrrell
Thanks for the update, but I am sad to hear of the passing of one of the little cubs that I so fondly remember. May the remaining cub prosper!
So heartbreaking news very sad
I know we discussed this possibility when we “met” mom and one cub last Thursday, but it is still very sad to hear this conclusion from James and the staff. I suspect it never gets easier to lose a cub even though it is part of the natural order of things in the bush. Condolences to all of you who live and protect these animals.
So sad. Life is hard, but Mom is fantastic. Thanks for letting us know. Prayers for the remaining cub and Mom.
Very sad to hear, but as you say, life goes on for the remaining cub. Hoping for it’s continued prosperity.
So sad–but, on the other hand, Nature has given us the chance to watch the Young Female Mashaba grow into the magnificent creature she is meant to be. I saw her resting on a branch with her mom last March, so it is so good to know she is thriving. Hope to see her baby sibling next year!
All the more reason we will cherish our photos and time spent with this precious cub who blessed us with fond memories in such a short life.
Awe how sad. So sorry to hear that. But I understand that is nature, like it or not. But it is still hard to read.
Wow, that’s sad… But who knows there is still a chance it might be ok… At the Jaguar Project in Pantanal , Brazil, we didn’t see one of the cubs ( of a litter of 3 ) for over 2 month and also assumed it was dead only to see all three nursing a couple of weeks ago!
Hoping for the best
has there been times where a cub has dissappeared on Londolozi for long periods of time only to reappear? hoping for the best
🙁 And, without your wonderful photos and blogs, we may have never met this cutie…so the circle of life continues, with or without our seeing it…thankful for the possibility of knowing this little one for even such a short time…