After hearing that the Plaque Rock Female might have moved her cubs to a new den we decide to head there on our way back to camp on a windy and cloudy morning. To our surprise we find the mother resting on the rocks near to the entrance to the den. This was the den that she used for her first litter of cubs.
Shortly after settling down and getting ready to wait for a while for the cubs to come out, one of them pokes its head out from a crevice. We then enjoy a phenomenal sighting of the three of them out on the rocks while the mother grooms the cubs and then nurses them before moving off into the shade nearby where we no longer had a view of them.
Enjoy this week’s Virtual Safari…
Born 2018, skilled huntress and determined mother. Dominated Sand River territory until her tragic end in 2024.
To view the YouTube link, click here.
Awesome little bundles. So cute but also so vulnerable. Hope they make it.
They really are such cute little bundles of fluff. Fingers crossed that they do make it.
Thank you Sean, that is absolutely gorgeous. I defy anyone to watch that and not go…aaah!
Thank you so much, Suzanne. They really are such cute little things.
Just when I think a virtual safari can’t get much better than previous weeks’ videos, this appeared in my inbox this morning. Plaque Rock seems to be a patient mother, remaining stretched out while the cubs suckle, even when one detaches rather quickly to explore. I’ve noticed in the videos over the past few months where you’ve highlighted a new mother and cubs, there seems to be one that drinks quickly and then moves away to check out the surroundings or play, whilst the second one continues to suckle. These two little ones look very young, making their awkwardness all the more endearing. Beautifully documented Sean!
Thank you so much, Denise. Yes there is evidence that one cubs always seems to be more adventurous than the other.
Sean, That is one of the best leopard sightings ever! Beautifully done – they are so cute! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri. They are so cute.
Amazing, the sighting off a lifetime for many – and a testament to the sympathetic guiding that enabled it.
Thank you so much, Ian. It was such a great sighting.
The most beautiful, sweet, adorable and totally relaxing video for Sunday! Thank you! Can you tell if the babies are boys or girls?
Thank you so much, Francesca. I am sure if we had a very close look we would be able to tell, but to avoid any doubt we rather wait until they are a little older.
Such a sweet moment between mother and cubs. 🥰
It really was such a sweet moment.
So sweet, these two young cubs and their beautiful mother.
Was she successful with her last litter of cubs? I can’t remember it.
Anyway, it seems to be a very good hiding place for the babies.
Thank you so much, Christa. No, sadly she was not successful. They were last seen when they were about a month old. We did not manage to get any decent sightings of them.
Precious little angels Sean. Thanks for sharing this tender moment with Mum and the kids.
Thank you so much, Leonie.
I am thrilled to see Plaque Rock with these teensy little babies…..this is a wonderful video! We saw PR in Aug 2019, along with her mama and Finfoot and Flat Rock on a kill together…..the girls were just about to go independent and get their proper names…..and what beauties they are! So wonderful to now see her as a new mother, and such a lovely sighting to see tiny cubs suckling and playing with their mama.
Thank you so much, Lisa. It is so great that she seems to be doing so well now.
What an exceptional video Sean of the Plague Rock female and her two cubs. I see the one cubs coat is a little darker than the other cubs. They nursed so beautifully and even had a short sleep before moving away. So very precious for words.
Thank you so much, Valmai.
Stupendous. You outdid yourself Sean. I was afraid she might be hiding in the Sand River like her mom used to.
Thank you so much, Al. It was such a cracking sighting.
Fantastic video! Loved it!
Thank you so much, Darlene.
LOVE!
Thank you so much, Anita.
Great video of the mother leopard and her cubs. Thanks Sean.
Thank you so much, William.
Sad to read this post knowing the date of the Plaque Rock female earlier this year.