Growing up is tough. Growing up as a young leopard in the wild African bush is extremely tough! Each and every day is a battle for survival and if a leopard is to succeed in this unforgiving wilderness it would do well to learn quickly. Thankfully though, mother leopards are great teachers and none more so than the Ximungwe female. One morning Sean Zeederberg and I decided to spend a bit of time with the Ximungwe female as she put her little cub through her paces and we experienced a few lessons we would never forget.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
Teacher and student side by side.
A few days before the morning in question, the Ximungwe female had killed an impala and stashed it in a tree. Fast forward a few days and the kill was nearly finished and both leopards were lazing in the tree canopy. With the temperature rising steadily and surrounding hyenas losing interest in the kill, Sean and I decided to stick with the pair of leopards and see if we could witness a motherly masterclass in action.
Lesson #1: Hydration is Key
As we speculated about what the two leopards would do, the Ximungwe female descended the tree and started walking through the long grass towards the road. Not far behind bounded her excited cub. Once on the road, the pair strolled alongside each other for a moment before cutting into the ticket. Sean and I clicked at the same time: they were heading straight for a nearby pool of water – most likely for a drink. As the pair approached the waterhole they slowed their pace, scanning for danger. Once satisfied, they closed in on the pool and began to drink.
Young leopards learn by imitating their mothers. In this case, I’d say the little cub is doing a decent job of impersonating its mother.
Quenching one’s thirst after a heavy meal is important but it is still important to keep a constant eye out for trouble. Clearly, this little leopard has a firm grasp of the concept.
A few minutes later the two leopards moved away from the waterhole back towards the kill. The young cub seemed to be brimming with confidence after completing its first lesson of the day with flying colours. The lesson – make sure to stay hydrated and be safe while doing so.
Lesson #2: Proceed with Caution
While the Ximungwe female was having a drink, two opportunistic vultures had swooped in to feed on the kill. This commotion reawakened the curiosity of the hungry hyenas and they stood expectantly at the base of the tall Marula tree. The Ximungwe female and her cub were just returning to the scene when the Ximungwe female realized that her hard-earned kill was being devoured by vultures. She sprinted past the hyenas and up the tree to chase away the expedient vultures. In the heat of the moment, she left her cub lagging behind and only realized her mistake when the hyenas shifted their gaze towards the oblivious cub.
The Ximungwe female at the base of the Marula tree with a hungry hyena paying very close attention to the leopard cub nearby.
The hyena locked eyes on the cub and made a beeline in the direction of the youngster. In an instant, the Ximungwe female rushed down the tree and gave chase. Thankfully she caught up in time and violently attacked the hyena. The hyena beat a hasty retreat and the cub escaped almost certain death thanks to the Ximungwe female’s lighting fast reactions.
The Ximungwe female leaping out of the tree in pursuit of the hyena.
Sean and I breathed a collective sigh of relief. The takeaway from this close encounter – always proceed with caution.
Lesson #3: Eyes on the Prize
Despite its near-death experience, the little leopard was not out of the woods just yet. There were other hyenas scattered all around the tree and the cub had to refocus and concentrate on making it to the safety of the tall Marula tree. We sat and watched as the Ximungwe female returned from her high-speed hyena vanquishing and guided her little one towards the tree. The Ximungwe female was the first to climb up, followed closely behind by her young protégé.
A textbook example of how to climb a tree quickly and effectively.
The little cub’s adorable replication of its mother’s ascension.
The young leopard enjoying its meal having safely navigated its treacherous journey to the waterhole and back.
The final lesson of the day was now complete – keep focused on the task at hand.
Satisfied that the mother and cub had successfully completed their mission for the morning, Sean and I left the pair to relax high in the branches of the big Marula tree. The time spent with the Ximungwe female and her little one revealed to us just how difficult it is to raise a young one in the wild and we gained a new appreciation for this amazing female leopard and her inspiring motherly instincts.
Awwww what a gift for the day! I couldn’t ask for more… the cub is absolutely irresistible and mum a stunner thank you for making them immortal in your superb pictures
It’s a pleasure!
Wonderful stories of the difficulty for a mama leopard to raise her young cub!
Wonderful pictures of the two leopards!
Yes, life in the bush is extremely tough, especially for young animals. And we always keep our fingers crossed especially for the very cute ones like little leopards that they will make it to adulthood. What a wonderful mother this female.
Just love the “impersonation” shot. Timing is everything.
Thank heavens for his mother’s sharp eyes. He had a close call with the hyena!At the end so glad to see the cub climbing after his mum to safety and have lunch. Thank you both for finding and posting this great morning. Victoria
Thanks for sharing your spectacular sighting and pictures. Master Class for leopards is 24/7 and she shared it with you. Priceless.
It’s a pleasure, I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures.
So many lessons to learn in the bush for survival. What a close call that was for the little cub. Thank goodness mom realized her mistake in leaving the cub behind and went back to rescue the cub from the hyenas. Well I’m sure that will stand the cub in good stead for the future. Never a dull moment in the bush. So glad mom and cub are save, rested and eating the kill.
Lucky this youngster has the Ximungwe female as her mother!
Does the cub have a name yet.
Not yet, we will wait to see where he becomes territorial before we name him. For now he will be referred to as Ximungwe’s cub and later as the Ximungwe Young Male.
Well, this account of the Ximungwe female’s teaching results for her cub certainly provided the uplifting start to my day. With continued training, hopefully she can raise this cub to adulthood as well.
Yes, hopefully this cub will go on to live a long healthy life!
Hi Nick, I must have missed this blog…🙃the Ximungwe certainly has proved she is doing a marvelous job at rearing her cub! Fabulous photos added to your write up. Thanks so much.
If I recall there was a video of this particular scenario.. and the cub, having finally made it up the tree seemed to almost ‘cling’ to Mum for an instant and cry out in what seemed either gratitude to Mum for saving her life, or fright from the near death experience !
Hi Cally, I’m glad you checked and managed to read this blog too.
Lovely blog, Nick. I guess it helps that she’s already raised 1 cub to independence.
It will definitely help that she has successfully raised her previous cub through to independence.
Wonderful photos Nick!
Arrived on Wednesday and second sighting that afternoon was the Ximungwe and cub behaving exactly as described! Thanks f0r the preview lesson!
Thanks, Nick, for an interesting article and good pics. What came to me, Nick, is in a short time while you guys watched this play out – one wonders how many little tests and trials these leopards go through every hour of every day and night!! Wendy M
Nick, We have seen her since she was a cub! It’s so wonderful to follow the generations of leopards, and your Leopards Of Londolozi page is so great to use as a resource to keep up with all the leopards we have known and seen on our visits!
Nick@ aol.Com
Nick, space peopards