Over the past few weeks, the Leopards of Londolozi have been ever present, however,r one individual, in particular, has caught the attention of many – The Nsuku Male. Traditionally known for his skittish and elusive nature, sightings of this promising young male leopard have notably increased. Choosing to bide his time in some of the more densely vegetated areas of Londolozi, we believe that he is consistently spending his time within the boundaries of Londolozi as he navigates the early years of his independence as a developing male leopard.
A rare shot of the elusive Nsuku Male captured by Ranger Keagan in a recent sighting we shared together.
Born 2021, son of Three Rivers Female. Once playful cub turned skittish post independence. Striking golden coat.
We have recently been treated to increasing sightings of this impressive young male as it seems he has shifted closer toward the central parts of the property, just to the south of our camps. Now three years and a half years old, the Nsuku Male is blossoming into a formidable force. From a young age, we suspected that he would grow to become a decently sized male and these recent sightings have proved that he is rapidly growing in both size and stature. This growth marks a vital phase in his development as he transitions from an apprehensive adolescent to a confident adult, that is now looking to assert his presence within his newfound territory.
At only three and a half years old, this impressive young male is starting to become a force to be reckoned with amongst the ever-changing leopard dynamics of Londolozi.
However, this newfound resurgence of the Nsuku Male does not come without consequences for other inhabitants of this wider territory.
The Ximungwe Female and her young cub
The Ximungwe Female and her young cub now face an increasingly larger threat as a result of the Nsuku Male’s rising presence in the heart of her territory. A recent sighting of the Nsuku Male and the Ximungwe Female suggested that the Ximungwe Female was clearly unhappy with the growing male spending time in and around where we believe she has been denning her cub. This has led us to believe that the Nsuku Male is not the father of the young cub and made sense as to why the Ximungwe Female was hostile and aggressive towards him. She was trying to push him out of the area around where the potential den site was believed to be. Since then, we believe that the Ximungwe Female has moved the den site further south within her territory.
As the Ximungwe Female’s cub continues to grow and starts being taken to kills, run-ins with the Nsuku Male become a much greater possibility.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
As is customary in changing leopard dynamics, the cub could be in jeopardy since younger male leopards pose a threat to the offspring of rivals (even if the cub belongs to his father – The Maxims Male). Leopards will kill the offspring of rival males to reduce competition, further establish their chosen territory and initiate the female’s oestrous cycles to provide mating opportunities of their own.
The cub’s survival hangs in a delicate balance and the question begs – Will the rise of the Nsuku Male disrupt the lineage of the Ximungwe Female?
![Three Rivers Young Male And Ximungwe Female Mating (11) [rcb]](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/14140344/Three-Rivers-Young-Male-and-Ximungwe-Female-Mating-11-RCB-1398x1398.jpg)
There have been records of the Nsuku Male mating with the Ximungwe Female in the past when he was slightly younger although, the Maxims Male is believed to be the father of the current cub.
The Reign of The Maxim’s Male
The Nsuku Male’s father, the Maxim’s Male, on the move, whilst patrolling his impressively large territory.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
There is no doubt that The Maxim’s Male is one of the more dominant forces amongst the male leopard of Londolozi, with his territory spanning the majority of Londolozi’s property. Known for his secrecy and the many females he has mated with, the Maxim’s Male will be the next major hurdle for the Nsuku Male to overcome. The Maxim’s Male has fostered the Nsuku Male during his earlier years and perhaps has been quite lenient in allowing the young male to remain within his territory for an extended period.
The word Nsuku means “Gold” in Shangaan. He was named that after his rich golden colour – taking a striking resemblance to his father the Maxim’s Male.
Leopard dynamics often demand that the father push his maturing son further afield to ensure genetic diversity and manage the level of competition. Yet, as the Nsuku Male continues to grow, the inevitable confrontation regarding territory looms large. Especially with the Nsuku Male spending more time around the territory of the Ximungwe Female and the Maxim’s Male’s latest offspring, could we see the Maxim’s Male decide to enforce his duty as a father and push the Nsuku Male out of the territory for good? Or will the Maxim’s Male continue to view the presence of his son as an ally within his large territory as he looks to defend it from neighbouring males?
What will the future hold for the young Nsuku Male? Will we continue to view this promising male or are our days of viewing him before he disperses for good coming to an end sooner than we might think?
As and when the Maxim’s Male decides to enforce his territorial dominance over his son, it will be a pivotal moment for the Nsuku Male’s future. Only time will tell as we continue to monitor the complex nature of the dynamics of father-son, relationships among the Leopards of Londolozi. As we eagerly anticipate the next chapter in the growing Nsuku Male’s future, we will continue to hope for more sightings of this elusive male and watch his story unfold.
The leopard dynamics at Londolozi are always exciting. I don’t hope that this beautiful young male will kill the Ximungwe’s cub. It would be such a pity. These cubs are always in such a danger of being killed.
Maybe his father can persuade him to move a little bit further away, who knows?
Anyway, thanks for this update on the Nsuku Male.
By the way, does he also pose a danger to his mother’s and father’s (Three Rivers and Maxim’s) new born cubs?
How close is Nsuku to his mother’s territory? Given that 3 Rivers is raising her own cub, is it likely he could pose a threat to it as well?
Fingers and paws crossed for the safety of Ximungwe’s cub!
Hi Reece, is there any record of the Maxim male fighting against any rival? I haven’t seen him in the wilderness as you do, but he seems to me a sort of “good guy”, in spite of his large territory and many matings. Maybe it’s because almost all territory belongs to him and his size takes at bay any concurrent, or he is just a guy that doesn’t like fighting…? I remember him mating with the Ximungwe female in turn with his son. He doesn’t seem to be that hostile to his offspring. He was in company of the Nkoveni trio… he seems to be more “peaceful ” than other male’s. He has a softer expression. I see it on the delightful Three Rivers young female. The former Three Rivers young male is handsome and looks as a mixture between his parents, maybe the Ximungwe female just wants to be sure that her son is well protected and hidden, it is never enough for a mother leopard! After all, this promising young male has no definite territory on his own. Very interesting and stunning images. Thank you!
I do hope the Nsuke male doesn’t kill the Ximungwe female’s latest cub. Fingers crossed. It will be interesting to see how much longer he is tolerated.
Thank you Reece for introducing me to the Nsuku male. I do not remember seeing him in any blogs. Glad he is thriving and I look forward to more sightings as he continues to grow.
It’s great to read this update on the Nsuku male although it’s distressing to learn he’s a bit too close to Ximungwe and her cub. Historically there have been blogs written about the loss of cubs by roaming, young independent males such as Tortoise Pan killing the female cub of Ximungwe leaving her to raise Mahlahla as a single cub. Fingers crossed that Ximungwe moves her den further away, hopefully escaping the risk of losing another cub inasmuch as there’s no guarantee that Maxim will protect this latest member to his family.
Hi Reece, thanks for the update on the Nsuku male with his beautiful golden coat. I am sure his father the Maxim’s male won’t tolerate him hanging around the Ximungwe female because that is his cub. So precious the little cub and it would be devastating if he would kill it. Hope the Maxim’s male makes him move on so that this little cub can grow up.