Few words can accurately convey how I felt as a tiny leopard cub with its big blue eyes peered over a boulder towards us. It is a moment I have been eagerly anticipating for the last two and a bit years since I started working at Londolozi. I was warned it would take time and patience and of course of the flush of emotions that might come over me, and I can let you know now that it was well worth the wait and the build-up and the wait.
So with that being said, I am thrilled to confirm the answer to ranger Jess Shillaw’s recent post – Does the Nhlanguleni female have cubs? is an exciting…
“Yes!”
An indescribable feeling as you get the first glimpse of a tiny leopard cub peering over a boulder back toward you.
Initially skittish female who transformed into a regular presence. Made history by raising first intact litter since her own generation.
How we found the den
It goes without saying, but finding a leopard den site is no easy feat. This time, however, we had a few factors working in our favour. Although the Nhlanguleni Females tracks were initially traced up and down the middle channel of the Sand River, we were able to eliminate any possibility of now finding the den in the dense foliage of the Sand River, since the water levels had risen significantly. This did, however, have us all holding our breath, hoping that the Nhlanguleni Female would have been able to move her cub/cubs to a safer den in time, away from the raging torrents.
The first tracks of the Nhlanguleni Female (and the trackers) were found tracing up and down the middle channel of the Sand River in mid-January. We can only assume that she was heading to and from the first den site.
Subsequent to this the ranger and tracker teams have been on a constant search for any evidence that would head towards any of the familiar den sites that the Nhlanguleni Female has used over the years. As Sean Zeederberg has shared with us before, finding the actual leopard den still comes with its frustrations, but of course nothing beats the pure joy once you do find it.
This is a photograph of the Nhlanguleni Female and her previous cub. We hope in the months to come we are going to be able to have many sightings of her and her new cub just like this one.
This time, towards the end of February, ranger and tracker duo, Melvin and Milton were the first to share the exciting news that they had seen the Nhlanguleni Female with her latest cub at a set of prominent boulders that I have driven past countless times dreaming of the day I would finally find a leopard cub here.
While heading straight to these boulders seems like the obvious thing to do, it is not quite that simple – timing and patience are everything out here. So on this particular afternoon, we searched everywhere we could within the Nhlanugleni Female’s territory with not a single track to be found. We then crossed our fingers and finally made our way to the boulders. We sat at the first set of boulders in silence for 10 minutes – no luck.
We then moved to the opposite side of the dry river bed where tracker Bennet Mathonsi pointed out the flattened grass where the Nhlanguleni Female had been resting and mostly likely suckling her cub, possibly just a few hours before.
The First Glimpse
I couldn’t believe it as we turned the corner to check the final set of boulders when Bennet exclaimed with joy that he had spotted the tiny cub and in a flash, it had disappeared into the safety of a deep rock crevice. My guests and I had missed this first glimpse. With my heart now pounding with excitement and anticipation, it certainly didn’t take much to convince my guests that we should sit again in silence to see if the cub would make one more appearance. The odds were certainly not in our favour, as without the mother being around and providing comfort and safety, and the cubs having not been exposed to many vehicles it was unlikely to reveal itself.
The view of the boulders as we sat patiently waiting to see if the cub would reappear. Right in the middle of this picture, was the ledge where the cub briefly popped its head out to give us a moment of pure joy we will never forget.
Finally…
There is only so much I can say to encapsulate this moment and just let the pictures speak for themselves. Binoculars at the ready we were able to get an unforgettable view of the Nhlanguleni Female’s new cub. By piecing back together the timing of the first sighting of the Nhlanguleni Female with a milk pouch to now, looking at the size and current behaviour of the cub, we can assume that the cub is probably around 6 weeks old.
Needless to say what a privilege it is to be able to witness this new life at Londolozi and share the exciting news with you! Be sure to stay tuned for more updates and photos coming soon.
Finding a leopard cub during its first 8-10 weeks of life is so difficult and when you succeed, it’s amazing. I think the only sighting that’s on par is finding a Pangolin. I’m literally keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll be able to experience my first sighting of Nhlanguleni’s cubs/cub a month from now. I hope you have the opportunity for more sightings as time goes on…..
I couldn’t agree more Denise! Such an incredible feeling… Some tough times ahead in the early days for this little cub but I’m very excited to watch it grow and learn under the patience and guidance of the Nhlanguleni female.
How very fortunate you all were. S moment that will never be forgotten.
Extremely fortunate and grateful for moments like this 🙂
We made the blog! This was such an incredible moment, Kelsey, and we owe it all to your and Bennet’s knowledge and patience – and to Bennet’s incredible eyesight! Thank you for this wonderful sighting. Jerry and Sarah
Of course Jerry! Thank you for the kind words – what a privilege it was to share this moment with you all – certainly a moment we won’t forget! 🙂
Wonderful news! Is it correct that the Piccadilly female has also just had a new litter?
Yes, I believe she has Chelsea 🙂
As the leopards future has been a hot topic in the world, every new birth is a hope and this cub is a joy in itself! For the eyes and the heart. What a delightful surprise!
An amazing surprise Francesca, and this little cub certainly brings a lot of joy to everyone!
What a precious gift that will last a lifetime ❤️
I couldn’t agree more Barbi 🙂
What an incredible find and beautiful picture!!
Thank you Mark!
Kelsey how wonderful to see such a tiny leopard. I wonder if there is only one cub or perhaps more. The Nhlanguleni female is such a stunning leopardess. You were so lucky to see that gorgeous face peeping through the branches.
Yes we were incredibly lucky Valmai! I couldn’t believe it 🙂 As far as we know for now there is just one cub.
Dear Kelsey,
Reliving it is almost as good as it was the day we were with you and saw the precious cub. I hope you have many more sightings. We loved our rides with you and Bennet!
Laura
Thank you Laura! I’m so happy you have seen the blog – what an incredible moment we will never forget 🙂
I hope you and Dick are keeping well.
How absolutely exciting for you and your guests! We saw Nhlanguleni‘s two cubs last April, also deep within rock crevices (maybe the same?), and I’ll never forget the awe and excitement of those moments. There’s nothing like it!
Thank you Mary Beth! Certainly nothing like it 🙂 Quite possibly the same rock crevices or very close by!
It is certainly one of the best sightings if one can see a leopard cub, or lion or cheetah cubs, for that matter.
Different camps have different policies regarding the watching of cubs. In some you don’t go and watch the very young ones as long as the mother is not there. Do you have any special rules at Londolozi?
Wow what a great bit of luck you had finding that tiny perfect cub! What great news.
It was a lot of luck and a very special moment! 🙂
Great discovery Kelsey. Wonderful pictures, thanks for sharing.
Thanks William!
I would be willing to sit there for hours and hours to have the opportunity to see a tiny cub like this!! One of Life’s most beautiful adorable precious little creatures!
I agree Lisa, the patience is so worth moments like these.
Hope she is able to rear this cub successfully! What a great shot Kelsey! Is the Senegal Bush Male believed to be the father and is it possible that she had more than one in the river and only managed to move this one prior to its flooding?
Thanks Michael, we hope so too! Yes, we assume that the Senegal Bush Male is the father but it’s very hard to know if there was another cub in the litter at any point without seeing it or any tracks – we are just so happy this cub made it out in time!
❤️🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼❤️