Involved Leopards

Xidulu 2:3 Female

Xidulu 2:3 Female

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James Tyrrell

Alumni

James had hardly touched a camera when he came to Londolozi, but his writing skills that complemented his Honours degree in Zoology meant that he was quickly snapped up by the Londolozi blog team. An environment rich in photographers helped him develop the ...

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22 Comments

on Farewell to the Xidulu Female

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Mary Moy
Guest

Shattered!! A favourite of mine and loved keeping up with her doing’s. I hope her cubs do well.

Thank you for sharing her story and for putting the potential survival of her cubs in perspective.

Always sad to lose one of our iconic cats but she had a long life. Now let’s pray her cubs will survive to carry on her legacy.

Alex
Guest

If i remember correctly,Nanga’s first male cub was independent from around 8-9 months because she had another litter of cubs,so these two with a little bit of luck should make it.

Hi Alex,
Good memory, but I think he was pushed into independence slightly later than that, at around 10-11 months. We don’t know what happened to him, but the hope is he drifted off and survived elsewhere in the reserve, maybe in the Kruger Park somewhere.
Regards

Diane
Guest

I’m so sad as we sighted her and her cubs playing under that Jacekberry Tree only a few weeks ago with Judas and David. Thank you James for the beautiful narrative and honoring of her.

James it is sad that this beautiful cat has lost her life. I guess nobody will ever really know what happened, however, one could only hope and pray that her death was swift. I pray that her young cubs will grow and reproduce her genes and this will be a lasting legacy to her. Thanks for the blog.

Thanks for the tribute blog, James. We spent much time with her and the cubs last month; my computer is full of her digital images. It’s so sad. I look forward to hearing news of how the cubs are doing…

My heart is saddened by this, but hope and prayers go out to her cubs, that they can make an impressive mark on Londolozi as their Mother has!

I was in Londolozi in June 2012 with a group led by Martha Beck. It was the highlight of my life. I was 62 and had a lifetime dream of going to Africa from the time I was 4. While I was there, my heart was touched by the beautiful leopards of Londolozi and all the animals, but especially the leopards. I can only guess I may have seen the beautiful Xidulu while I was there. My heart is sad she is gone. Thank you for sharing her story.

Yvonne Smith
Guest

That is such a sad story and well written.

Virginia Moore
Guest

Is this the same leopard known as Karula?

Hi Virginia,
No, Karula is a different female.
Regards

Maureen Butcher
Guest

I am so very, very sorry to hear of this loss. I wish the two cubs a long and happy life. I do so love ❤️ reading these blogs. Thank you so much.

Similar to what’s happen in Djuma with the dominant, Queen Karula. She hasn’t been seen in over 2 months yet her 2 15 months old cubs, boy Hosana and girl Xongile are seemingly making it. I’m glad Londo has some closure for the Xidulu female, at least finding her remains. Being the successful mother she was, here’s hoping her cubs survive. Not having found any signs of Karula or her remains gives some hope. But that may never happen.

Thank you for all your updates and blogs.

HI JAMES,
THANKS FOR THE BLOG OF THIS VERY SAD NEWS.
I AM FEELING GREAT SADNESS AS I WRITE TO YOU, BUT ALSO GRETA JOY AS THIS LEOPARD HAS PROVIDED ME WITH MANY HOURS OF PLEASURABLE VIEWING AND PHOTOGRAPHIC OPPORTUNITIES.
LET’S CELEBRATE HER LIFE AND HOPE THAT THE TWO CUBS WILL SURVIVE AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE US WITH MANY MORE HOURS OF PLEASURE.
THE LIFE OF ANOTHER LEGEND OF THE LEOPARDS OF LONDOLOZI HAS COME TO AN END!
IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE PRIVILEGE TO HAVE SEEN HER OVER THE YEARS.
KIND REGARDS,
TED.

Hi Ted,
Thanks for the comments. I imagine you’re not alone in that sentiment; sadness that she’s gone but gratitude to have been able to have spent so many memorable hours with her.
Best regards

Hi James, I’m sad to hear of the loss of this beautiful Leopard, and especially in such a tragic way. I really hope that her cubs will be able to manage on their own now and survive. Will they stay together for a while yet do you think? Do you have any idea who the two male Lions are?

Hi Jill,
The cubs are generally found alone these days, although usually not too far from each other. I suspect they will continue to operate in the same area for some time. As for the lions, it seems they may be a pari known as the Avoca males, although we are still confirming. We don’t know too much about them at this point in time…

So sad to hear this news! They are glorious beings.

Diane
Guest

Hello James ,
I am saddened that we lost Xiduluas she was such a determined and strong matriarch !
Please keep us notified as to how her two 14 month old cubs are faring . I pray for their survival from such a strong heritage!
Thank you James for your beautiful
Work.

This breaks my heart. These animals have it hard. Every day is a struggle. I hope these two orphans make it.

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