All the wild dog pups are well.
So many people have written in to enquire about how they’re doing that we’ll try and update everyone as often as possible, and they’ve all made it through another week, without any visits from lions or marauding hyenas.
The Ntesvu pride made a big loop through the southern grasslands – which went unnoticed by us for a couple of days as we were preoccupied further north with leopards and the wild dog pups. They were found this morning right down in our south-west, clearly fresh from a kill judging by the blood that covered their flanks and chests.
Our conviction (or hope, rather) that the Mashaba female must have cubs somewhere has made us intensify the search for here, but we’ve come up empty-handed a number of days in a row. We’ll keep at it.
While we’re out searching, enjoy this Week in Pictures…
A Ground hornbill takes flight at sunset. As the name suggests they spend most of the time walking around looking for food on the ground so when they do take flight it’s almost surprising.
A lioness from the Ntsevu pride rests on the bank of a waterhole one morning. Notice the tiny drop of blood on her left cheek and the pink hue of blood on her neck from a recent kill.
The Ntsevu Pride and two Birmingham males drink at a beautiful waterhole in the open grasslands. They all had quite a bit of blood on them suggesting that they had been feeding on something during the night or early morning.
An elephant bull strides across an open clearing near the Londolozi airstrip.
A big yawn from a small dog. One can see the sharp teeth have developed rapidly in the pups. Now at about a month-and-a-half old, they are already feeding on large chunks of meat regurgitated for them at the den by the pair of adults.
One hyena follows another along a dusty road early one morning. There were alarm calls in the area and tracks of both a male and female leopard. We were not able to find either of the leopards, but are convinced that these hyenas knew something that we didn’t; maybe there was a carcass nearby that they had smelt.
Rays of light flare out from behind the Drakensberg mountain range. As the bush dries out, dust is being kicked up that result in spectacular sunsets.
This Ntsevu lioness had left the pride in the late morning from where they were feeding on a giraffe kill. Why, we aren’t exactly sure. Her teats looked relatively swollen though, and it is always possible that she is the first of the adult females to fall pregnant again.
The cub of the Piccadilly female has not yet become habituated to the Land Rovers. Our vehicle was parked at a distance here (a 600mm lens was used for this photo), and there was only one vehicle present, yet the cub was still shy, no matter how quietly we sat. This is all part of the habituation process though, and after a few more viewings like this the cub should hopefully be ignoring us completely.
The Ntsevu pride lie up under lowering skies. A graduated filter effect was used in the post-processing to accentuate the clouds in this picture.
The open grasslands aren’t necessarily the place one would associate with elephants, yet on this afternoon we enjoyed an amazing sighting of them feeding slowly down towards a waterhole. Half the herd wasn’t even captured in this photo.
A small herd of elephants have a drink while a hippo finds shade in the same pool of water. I have watched hippo chasing animals away from waterholes before, but in this case, the hippo couldn’t care less.
An African Spoonbill perched above a waterhole outside Varty Camp. Very distinctive with their unique bill shape, these birds are commonly found around shallow water bodies. They will sweep their head from side to side, snapping prey up in the spoon part of the bill itself.
The wild dog pups are entering a dangerous age of curiosity. venturing slightly further from their den’s entrance, even when their parents aren’t their, leaves them vulnerable to any stray predators passing through. So far all ten are alive and well though.
An elephant bull makes use of the last light of day to feed on pods of a Torchwood tree. Lots of elephants are utilising this food source at the moment, and it is incredibly to witness how strong they are, pushing their foreheads to the trunk and shaking the entire tree to force the pods to the ground.
The Ximungwe young male up to some antics with a Russet Bushwillow sapling. He stalked and pounced on this little shrub over and over, honing skills that will one day put him in good stead for stalking and pouncing on prey.
![Ntsevu Pride, Wild Dogs And Rhino (6) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/12140043/Ntsevu-pride-wild-dogs-and-rhino-6-RCB-280x178.jpg)
After a week of chaos in the US and police brutality it has given me some wonderful morning moments. So glad pups are growing and well, also loved the leaping leopard. than you Victoria
My thoughts exactly!
Stunning pics. Love the sunsets and of course the pups.
Great news about the wild dogs pups thriving. A few weeks (or months – hard to keep track these days) there was concern over the youngest Ntsevu lion cubs and whether or not they would survive being so much younger than their cousins. Are they all still accounted for? I counted 18 lions (excluding the Birmingham males) in the water hole photo, but could see how small cubs may not have been easily visible.
There were 2 lions in the background walking in….
Are the Nstvu pride still 20 all members accouted for?
Great pictures! My favorites are the one of the leopard pouncing on that little bush and of course the ones of the puppies. So good that they are fine. And the huge Ntsevu pride is just impressive .
We had originally planned a three night visit with you this coming Sept, but due to the Covid issues, we have postponed and rescheduled for 2021. Thank you so much for these wonderful posts, photos, stories. We are more excited than ever for our upcoming visit. We have several friends and even the adult children of a cousin whom have been at Londolozi in the past 12 -14 months. We look forward to more from you and I even extended our stay an extra day. Best Wishes,
Mitch Wise
The Ximungwe young male image was so interesting. Early morning photos/stories bring a much needed sense of peace and the order of nature to a hectic world.
Your TWIP is a much needed respite from all the chaos erupting here in the US. The videos, photos and commentary put into perspective the truly beautiful and peacefulness of the bush…. the antics of the young leopard are hilarious but the colors of the sunset are truly spectacular. Are there two cubs from the Ntsevu pride missing? I counted 20 including the B boys.
Beautiful pics. Stay safe everyone
The Londolozi blog is the highlight of our morning especially in these crazy times. The teeth on the pups and the “hops“on the Ximungwe young male leopard were eye opening for me. You really have to grow up fast in the bush.
Thanks James.
Terrific photo of the young Ximungwe boy….that sighting was delightful! And to see the Ntsevus and Birmingham boys lined up on the waterhole was fabulous!
Its nice to see beautiful pictures from a Amazing place it relaxes and makes think of this happy place. Due to riots and such over here in the U.S.A. looking at the pups getting bigger and stronger and there all still together is great. Ntsevu pride is looking beautiful as ever (i love my lions). Ximungwe young male Leopard is handsome and that was a great shot of him leaping up at the bushes.. And to end the day dream before I go back to my normal life The elephants are quite beauties and they look peaceful for the time being. Thank you for these wonderful pictures…
Also I meant to ask a question does anybody know if they heard or seen anything on Baba Yao ? Doa’s brother, the one who fought the 3 sala brothers back in January 10,2020. Worried about him.
Extending all gratitude for your wonderful daily dispatches from the bush. Needed and deeply appreciated!
beautiful photos, the ntsevu pride is very great and has two large males to protect them, the ntsevu long coming. happy that the puppies are all well, the elephants are really spectacular
Very much appreciate your opening line update on the pups! Seems to be a popular focus from all of us.
Any news on the Tsalala lioness and her cub??
Some magnificent images this week – shall I say, as usual! I usually read the blog on my iPhone but I had the chance to view it on a large monitor today and what a difference. The large, wide angle shots were especially stunning – the Ntsevu pride at the waterhole, the lone elephant on the airstrip, the herd in the open grasslands. Guess I should go to my desktop more often! Thank you all.
I see I’m another one who wants to know what’s going on with the other two members of the most numerous lion pack? And for puppies, I really hope that all 10 will grow up in adulthood!
Thank you! Glad to see the pups still doing well. Loved the cute little leopard cub and the Ntsevu shots.
Loved all the pics, but especially the Ximungwe male and the sapling! 😂
Great pictures guys, as always! Question regarding the Ntsevu sub-adults. Do you have a confirmed sex ratio for the sub-adults and which litter is the lioness with swollen mammary glands the mother of?
Also, wondering if all 15 sub-adults are still alive? Remember awhile back only 14 were seen
With the world in such chaos… especially here in the US… there is great peace in your stories and photos. Can’t thank you all enough for the time, patience and dedication you share with all of us… I can’t wait to come back to a place that has and never will leave my heart♥️
Any update on the injured Tsala lioness & cub?
Great TWIP, some beautiful watery reflections, vistas and moments. Grateful about Wild Dog pups and enjoyed leaping Leopard practicing his skills. You make such a difference to our days with these wonderfully varied photos.
What a stunning shot of the leopard- I’d never realized that they’d practiced on shrubs/trees, but it certainly makes sense.
thank you for this update!!
Hi James. Loved the pics – especially the dusty orange sunset one over the Drakensberg Range. Also enjoyed the yawning pup with its very new sharp little teeth – and of course the one of the Ximungwe Young Male doing his thing! Keep them all coming! Really helps in this Lock Down at present! Wendy M
ps the young Ximungwe male had me and my young family in stitches as he pounced on the sapling. so grateful that the natural world is carrying on so beautifully!!
Wonderful images! Loved the view of the pride drinking and the leopard pouncing on the small tree!
Amazing Pictures
Brilliant photos!!! I love the wide-angle shots of the elephants and the Ntsevu lions! And those photos of the wild dog pups are amazing!
Beautiful and soul nourishing…deep thanks.
I look forward to these each week, great as always! thank you
I am soooo happy and relieved that the wild dog pups are all ok!! I loved the picture with the young male leopard! He looks like flying!!
Wow James! This is an amazing set of images! The group shot of the Ntsevu Pride is incredible. Love the artistic touch in the clouds with the Ntsevu too!