I recently wrote a post that delved deep into the life of a young male Leopard and the hardships these young animals face on a daily basis. One of my subjects was the Vomba young male. In that blog I spoke of their nomadic lifestyles as they grow through adolescence, the conflicts they face and the roads to becoming a dominant male in a prime territory. We have watched this young male grow this past year and suffer many losses, The most important and significant one was the loss of his mother, the Vomba female mid way through 2013. Now it is his time to battle through the wilds this great place has to offer.
The Vomba female was a leopard with an instantly recognisable rich golden coat. She spent much of her life around the Londolozi Camps.
After being conceived by his mother, the Vomba female after much courting by the Marthly male, this young male was born in June 2012 in a small, well hidden den site directly in front of Pioneer camp, in the Wild Date Palms that line the Sand River. it is believed that he was the only cub in this litter and it would turn out to be his mothers last litter she produced. He spent much time in the river growing up, in and amoungst the camps and the pathways that we frequent each day. The second den site occupied by this little cub, was in a small tributary of the Sand River between Pioneer and Founders camps. Here is a video filmed by Rich Laburn, only a few weeks after this cub was born. This was the second ever sighting of this leopard.
The earliest pictures snapped of this ball of fluff was by General Manager, Stoff Kane-Berman in September 2012, at the tender age of 3 months. I still vividly remember when I first arrived on Londolozi, the frustration that oozed out of the Rangers room when this cub was mentioned. He was an exteremely shy young Leopard who had not spent much time around vehicles growing up. However, from roughly April 2013, he became completely relaxed with vehicles and began to offer quality game viewing.
Chris Kane-Berman Sept 2012
Chris Kane-Berman Sept 2012
Chris Kane-Berman Sept 2012
Chris Kane-Berman Sept 2012
He grew up in the central region of Londolozi within his Mothers territory, which encompassed the area around the camps, which you can see in the image below. Spending time in the drainage lines, the river and dense Guarri thickets. This was a superb ploy by this mother to keep him safe as a young Leopard, and it has been successful. Being fathered by one of the most dominant and successful male Leopards currently on Londolozi has been a true blessing for this young male. His father, the Marthly Male has managed to secure a large portion of land on central Sparta and Marthly, encompassing the Sand river thats meanders through the reserve. This is vital in success for a Leopard here, and time and time again the river produces.
The territory of his mother.
The Vomba young male has a 3:3 spot pattern, which is easily identified with 2 spots very closely spaced on this left cheek. His golden coat is also a tribute to the genetic line he falls into. His mother, the Vomba female (December 1997-August 2013), was daughter to one of the original female Leopards on Londolozi, the Sunset Bend female (March 1992-April 2010). The Sunset Bend female was notorius for her golden, warm coat that she has passed down through generations of Leopards here on Londolozi.
My first sighting of the young male. January 2013 Mike Sutherland
The Vomba Young Male has always been an energetic and active leopard, with a propensity for interaction and engagement with his mother. She soon grew frustrated with his presence and by mid July 2013, their relationship was over. A 13month old young male had been left by his mother to fend for himself. It was a shock to us all, however, what we didn’t know then was that his mother had somehow disappeared. She vanished into the clouds and has not been seen since.
Over the past 6 months, his movements and appearances have been fragmented. He is elusive and he is exploring. Below you will see a rough outline of some of the sightings of hime lately.
The past few months sightings of the male.
A quick drink after a big meal. May 2013. Mike Sutherland
Climbing is essential. June 2013. Mike Sutherland
At the age of just 11 months, this leopard was already starting to fill out. Rich Laburn May 2013
A combination of good genes and a mother who was an incredibly successful hunter, the Vomba Young Male holds huge potential as a dominant male leopard, provided he can survive into maturity, Rich Laburn May 2013
Elusive through the darkness. October 2013. Mike Sutherland
Growing and becoming a successful hunter himself. Techniques no doubt learned from his mother, the Vomba Female. November 2013. Mike Sutherland
Dave Varty found him late one December afternoon after he had been ‘missing’ for a few weeks. We all breathed sigh of relief to see him, not only alive, but looking so healthy and strong as well. Rich Laburn Dec 2013
The Golden coat is synonymous with the Sunsetbend Lineage of which he is a descendent. Rich Laburn Dec 2013
For a young male Leopard it is a tough show out there. It is a brutal way to learn about life and a struggle to prosper and succeed. With many threats in other male Leopards, the Marthly Male, Camp Pan, Gowrie Male, Tu Tones Male as well as a few nomadic males we encounter, it will be interesting to see whether this male will vanish into the beauty that is the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park or will he continue his legacy here with us. I’m sure the time will come when he will wander far and never return, and when he does, we wish him the best. If you encounter an unknown young male on another reserve in the next few years, have a quick read through this and check if it might be him.
We wish you all the success. December 2013. Mike Sutherland
Have you had any sightings or experiences of the the Vomba Young Male and, for those who have not visited Londolozi recently, the Vomba Female that stand out in your memory? Let us know in the comments section below…
Written by: Mike Sutherland
Photographed by: Mike Sutherland, Rich Laburn and Stoff Kane-Berman.
We were fortunate enough to see the Vomba female and her new cub on Sept 18, 2012, on, I believe the same day that Chris took his photos. Mom had just killed a duiker, and was calling to her shy cub to come out of hiding to enjoy a meaty repast. He was very skittish, and would not emerge into the open as long as we were observing him So we reluctently left them, and went on our way, but not before we were able to capture several shots of the adorable youngster. It’s great to see that he’s not only survived, but grown into a handsome and powerful young adult.
I’d be happy to send a few photos, if you’d like.
Hi Jonathan, thanks your comments and memories. Was this the sighting you were referring to: http://blog.londolozi.com/2012/09/vomba-female-stalks-and-catches-duiker/ – Fascinating footage of the Vomba Female chasing and catching a duiker.
Yes. That’s the day. She had the cub safely hidden, and didn’t call for him until she had carried the duiker into a thicket to hide it from other predators.
Thanks Mike – hope I get to see him soon! Awesome night time shot 🙂
Nice post. The photo near the top of mother and cub was a fitting tribute to the Vomba female and her success as a mother.
But this is about the Vomba Young Male’s future.
I am usually focused on the challenges leopard cubs encounter to survive. But then what? Independence has its price and I guess a leopard sub-adult has more life lessons to learn before he is ready to claim a territory. Good luck, Vomba Young Male! He has great parents, great genes and looks like he is on the right path to becoming a fine adult male leopard!
Thanks for keeping us informed about him and the other youngsters ( Mashaba Young Female, Ximpalapala Young, etc). The map is a nice touch.
So the vomba female disappeared last July and the maxabeni female in October 2012. Both these females were around 15 years old, so basically not really old enough to die of true old age (17-19). So what might have killed them according to you? They must have obviously died a violent death and not a completely natural one. So, another leopard (plausible given that females of them age have started to weaken) or lions or perhaps drowning in the sand river? What is your opinion?
Hi Shardool, thanks for your comments. Average lifespans of leopards are based on averages and it is thus important to keep in mind that many elderly leopards (15 years) may well die owing to internal sickness, inability to hunt owing to an injury, potential blindness (the Vomba Female had a problem with her one eye) or simply old age.
I would be hesitant to say that they died a violent death as we dont have any clues as to whether or not this was the case. I hope that answers your question?
rich
Shardool, you raise a very valid point. If you look at the Nottens female in particular, she managed to live to 18 years old and has unfortunately recently vanished aswell. There certainly may be some violence in their deaths as it is a harsh world they live in. Nature takes its course. Some thoughts and discussions within the ranging team were that she may have had an encounter with the new Mhangeni Pride. They spent alot of time in the river raising their 9 cubs and this is where the Vomba female spent alot of time aswell. However, it is just a theory. There could have been many causes like Rich suggests. Illness, Injury and old age.
Mike
Thanks a ton! I suppose the same logic applies to maxabeni female as wel It’s sad to know that nottens passed on although it was expected. I’ve observed that either female leopards (especially 14 and older) just disappear like the vomba, maxabeni, Campbell koppies female or they die a violent death. Sunsetbend female, saseka female and kapen female on mala mala were mauled by lions. Whitecloth female, Ravenscourt female, makubela female and nyeleti female were killed by other leopards. In fact whenever the cause of death has been known, it is very rarely due to illness, or inability to hunt. I think perhaps the ones that mysteriously disappear are the ones who actually die of these causes leading to the presumption (that I had) that they all die violent deaths.
We wish you all the success.
wonderful story and Photos.
What a beautiful Leopard and such fantastic pictures as well Mike, Rich and Stoff! Are there any thoughts on what could have happened to his mother? At what age does the mother usually leave her cubs on their own to survive? Hopefully he will continue to thrive and live a good, long life.
Hi Jill, at the moment we still have no clues as to what happened to the Vomba Female. Read this post by Tom Imrie which sums it up – http://blog.londolozi.com/2013/09/who-has-seen-the-vomba-female/
A mother will usually leave her cubs between the age of 12 – 24 months depending on the success of her litter and density of prey + other predators/territorial leopards.
Thanks for your comments and well wishes for the Vomba Young Male.
I remember the Vomba female from my guiding days at Londolozi. She was still young then and difficult to find and follow. Many a ranger came undone and got stuck fast or stranded whilst trying to follow her in the dry riverbed North of Vomba dam to the sand river. But her coat was spectacular!
Little boys never learn when “enough is enough”….Mom wants some downtime. Great shots and history of this young leopard.