There has been much excitement here at Londolozi over the past two weeks as we have had almost continuous viewing of a female cheetah and her two cubs, whose age we estimate to be just under a year. It was a huge surprise when they were first found towards the end of May, but they then disappeared for a few weeks, finally returning towards the end of last month. With cheetahs being so rare in the area, mainly due to the high density of other large predator species, one can imagine the excitement within the ranging and tracking team.
Cheetah are at the bottom of the large predator hierarchy, so vigilance is the word they live by!
My favourite sighting of these three cheetahs came only a short while ago…
We set out at the break of dawn searching for male lions, however this plan changed quickly after we spotted cheetah tracks crossing the road. After a close inspection of the tracks by Head Tracker Jerry Hambana, he pronounced them to be very fresh. We changed direction to follow, switching off the vehicle for a few minutes to listen for any animals possibly alarming at the cheetahs. Immediately we heard the distinctive barks of a herd of impalas in the distance. We rushed off to quickly find the impala herd and as we rounded a corner Jerry thrusts both hands into the air and pointed to three cheetahs atop a termite mound roughly 200 metres away.
We slowly drove towards where the cheetahs were sitting and in my mind I knew what was about to come. It was a clear winter morning and the sun was about to rise and where the cheetah were positioned we were about the have the most beautiful golden light strike their warms coats. Cheetah will often sit atop termite mounds and fallen trees using them as a high advantage for either seeking hunting opportunities or escaping danger.
One can see the clear size difference between the mother and one of her cubs, although in the two months since they were first seen, the cubs have grown a great deal already.
One of the cubs is male and the other is female, although at this early stage it’s hard to discern the difference between the two just at a quick glance.
We watched as the mother kept a look out and the cubs played, stalking and chasing another, which is fundamental for the development of their skills later on in life. We spent almost an hour-and-a-half with them before the mother started moving and looking as if she was going to hunt.
Jut like in lion and leopard cub litters, play is a vital component of cheetah cub development.
Should the two cubs survive, they will most likely leave their mother at the same time, remaining together for a few months before eventually going their own separate ways.
After a fantastic sighting we decided to let them be and head back to the camp.
At roughly 1pm word had come through that the mother had managed to make two successful kills during the time we left her until the early afternoon! The first kill was unfortunately stolen by a clan of hyenas, leaving the cheetahs hungry despite the efforts of the adult female. However being an opportunist, she managed to capitalize on another opportunity almost immediately, and killed a second impala within a few hundred metres of the first.
Hopefully the female will continue to raise the cubs on and around Londolozi, and continue to provide us with some more special sightings like the one on this day. It is very difficult for cheetahs to survive in this area, let alone raise two cubs, but if the female of 2013 managed, there is no reason why this one cannot do the same…
Stunning images. I do hope they stick around. In Kruger we often see cheetah in areas with high lion density and they seem to survive.
Very special. Wonderful to be able to watch these treasures grow.
Just love the new gallery feature on the blog. It is addictive. Can’t stop going through the pictures and liking my favourites.
Wonderful story Grant. Hopefully you’ll be able to keep these three magnificent cats on your radar for awhile. Love the interaction between the mom and cubs – even at a year they’re dependent on her for nourishment.
Truly Londolozi is a magical place!!
Great sighting and Blog Grant! Love the photo with the cubs and mom on the termite mound. Keep them around for us 🙂
Like reconnecting with old friends: Mother cheetah and her two cubs we saw at end of our visit in late May and our guide, Grant. Nice to monitor the goings on of these cheetah
What a treat! Another long sighting which gave you the opportunity to take these exceptional images. One Cub gave you that direct elegant stare. So happy they reappeared for others to appreciate, Grant. In the deepest part of my heart I hope all three survive and flourish even if they are only standing on the bottom rung of the survival ladder.
So happy for all at Londolozi.
Grant, How exciting to see a Cheetah family at Londolozi! We know how rare that is and hope you get many more chances to see them!
Oh wow! I hope that I see them (and you, too Grant) when I am back in mid August. Great shots!
How great to see cheetahs again and I hope the cubs grow to maturity. it must be a pleasure for you as well after all this time.
Exciting news Grant and great photos! Is the lone male cheetah who used to be around still in residence or has he moved away to pastures new?
That was indeed a special sighting we shared, Grant! This threesome are elegant and playful and so special to see. So glad Bob and I shared the experience with you and Jerry!
We were fortunate to see the female cheetah with her 2 cubs before, during, and after an impala kill in 2013. That was an extraordinarily exciting, breathtaking experience as the kill occurred approximately 30 yards from our vehicle. It was fascinating to watch the female “train” the 2 cubs who actually performed the kill after the mother did the takedown after a 100 yard mad dash.
Hi Vin,
Cheetah are well documented as “training” their cubs, as you put it, with mothers often not killing young animals that she catches, but rather calling her cubs to her, releasing the prey and letting the cubs do the catching and killing. I remember Chris Goodman videoing that exact behaviour in 2013 with the female you mention.
Best regards