On our first trip to Londolozi in February 2010, we had a wonderful sighting of the Dudley Riverbank leopard and her 7 month old male cub (3:3). It was fascinating to hear from our ranger Graeme Marais about her history – she was a great granddaughter of Londolozi’s original Mother Leopard. She had had a poor success rate of raising cubs – she had lost 8 cubs in 8 years, including one which fell from a tree into a hyena clan below. One that did reach adulthood, the 5:5 male, had actually been brought up by her own mother, the 3:4 female, after becoming separated from the DRB female after feeding on a kill.
Born to the Tugwaan female in August 1992, this leopard would redefine the relationship between man and wild cat.
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
The Dudley Riverbank female with her 3:3 male cub, who became independent.
Two years and 2 months later, I was sitting on the vehicle in the rain by a rocky outcrop. Our ranger Sandros had just explained that the Dudley Riverbank female now had a very young cub stashed in the rocks, and hopefully would return to it soon. We waited patiently, and were delighted when she suddenly appeared from nowhere (how do all cats do that?). She made soft calling sounds and after a few minutes a tiny cub, only just over 1 month old, appeared from the densite. The cub suckled then clambered playfully all over her mother, earning herself a thorough washing as we watched, totally entranced.
The only downside was my photos were terrible (though I still keep 1 blurred image). There is a lovely photo of her taken a couple of months later though on a blog:
The Ndzanzeni female as a cub.
I worried about this cub, especially given her mother’s history and that she (the mother) was approaching 14 years old. I scoured the weekly sightings and blog, hoping at least for the absence of bad news. However their territory right down in the south of Londolozi, in an area of dense vegetation, meant they were seldom seen. On my annual trips I would hear that all was well, but I never managed to see them.
And then – 4 and a half years later – success! That tiny cub was now a beautiful adult, with 2 cubs of her own. We found her on her own initially, and I was overjoyed to see her again, now called the Ndzanzeni female. Two days later, Alfie took us to her den site, and luckily she was there and nursing her cubs, which he estimated to be about 2 months old. We then watched the cubs play and I really felt I had come full circle. Apparently she had lost a previous litter of 2, and of the litter we saw, the female cub didn’t survive.
This female is a success story all in herself, being born as a single cub to the Riverbank 3:3 female in early 2012.
The now adult Ndzanzeni female nurses her second litter, of whom the now-independent Ndzanzeni young male is one.
The young male himself, tentatively venturing away from his mother.
The Ndzazeni young male. Londolozi royalty.
This leopard is now over two years old, and might be pushed out by his father the Inyathini male in the next few months.
The Mother Leopard lineage right down to the Ndzanzeni young male (bottom right).
However, the male cub has now turned 2 and is creating his own story, exhibiting behaviour beyond his years and size – looking to mate, and sadly killing the Mashaba female’s cubs and most recently trying to stare down a hippo! (TWIP #362) On my last visit in early October with Alfie I was lucky enough to see him twice. And so the dynasty continues!
Lovely memories Suzanne. It is always great to see the lineage continue.
As a “people” genealogist I’m always interested in family relationships and the same applies to leopard families as well, it turns out! I love your genealogy story, Suzanne!
Magnificent animals and adorable cubs!! We always ❤️ spotting in the bush! Victoria
I have never seen a picture of a leopard suckling her cubs, what an amazing sight.
How lucky was I! – especially to see her again after a 4 and a half year wait, with her own cubs – it was just incredible.
I am very glad that you’ve had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Londolozi for many years and can only imagine the satisifaction and contentment of seeing leopard families come full circle. Great blog!
Hello Suzanne!
Thank you for an interesting and good article about the leopard Dudley Riverbanks Lineage.
Patience pay off! It is a wounderful passion to go at safaris, to have unforegettable moments in the bush to take home!
I saw Mashabas female’s cubs at the den last year in September. They were so cute!! I was very sad when I heard they had been killed.
The photo of the Ndzanzeni female as a cub is so good! She is a darling!!
Thank you for sharing!
Great post Suzanne! How awesome to see these families of leopards thrive!
Beautiful photos and informative blog. Thanks for sharing. I love the photo of the Ndzazeni young male. He does look like royalty!