The wild is no stranger to hardship, but some stories strike deeper than others.
This week, our virtual safari follows one of Londolozi’s most iconic and much-loved leopards—the Ximungwe Female—who now faces what might be the greatest challenge of her life. With a seven-month-old cub still dependent on her, she has sustained a worrying injury to her front left leg. What we initially thought was a minor wound now appears far more serious… possibly even a break.
In the latest episode, we walk a fine line between concern and cautious hope as we observe her attempts to navigate this harsh terrain with limited mobility. Questions arise—how will she hunt? Can she protect a kill from scavengers? Will her cub survive if she cannot?
The stakes are high. But the wild is resilient. And so is she.
We’ll be following her closely over the coming weeks and sharing updates as we go.
Enjoy this Virtual Safari…
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
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Such bad news today! I was relaxing watching as this gorgeous female was playing on such fluid movements with bee lovely cub… he’s already become a character.. . I know nature is nature and has her own law. But I ask to myself if it would be possible to intervene locally to help her, so that her cub may survive as well… at this age he can’t certainly hunt… what a dilemma… it must be difficult for you as well…
It is such a horrible dilemma. I really wish we could do something. Sadly, the cub is a bit young to survive by itself.
I know what you mean and surely are right. You told stories at Londolozi of strict leopard relatives helping each other or even adopting cubs. I know it’s a nearly impossible thing to happen, being the Ximungwe female 10 years old with a very well established territory… I saw a lioness that had the same injury, a front back leg that was broken and she couldn’t move or hunt. A vet darted her, fixed her leg and they waited in the distance to check her until she was awake. Then she managed to get to her sisters or cubs I don’t remember well, maybe both. Lions help each other in comparison to leopards…
Oh Sean, heartbreaking. 💔
It really is.
Since she doesn’t have any surface wounds, it must have been from an accident, versus an attack. I know Londolozi has a pretty hands-off policy, but would there be a situation where you might intervene? Either for medical care, humane euthanasia or providing food? I thought there was water pumped in during the drought when the buffalo were dropping like flies. I am worried for her and her cub, and truly hope she astounds us all with a remarkable recovery. 🙏
I agree, I think it was definitely just an incident of her stepping in a whole, or landing awkwardly when descending a tree.
In general, we try not intervene, unless the injury/issue was caused directly by human presence, or if the animal affected is a highly endangered animal. And even then, we have to factor in what is required to help the animal? How likely is the animal to recover afterwards? What else would be affected if we were to do anything?
If she was to receive any assistance, it would require a vet coming in, darting her, taking her off-site, operating on her, then keeping her locked up in a facility for her injury to recover. Recovery for a broken bone amongst humans is about 6 weeks, with a cast and the necessary rest to help heal. Is that possible for a leopard? So say it takes longer, then what is the reality of her being released back into the wild after that? Probably quite slim.
So although it is harsh, I tend to think that the not intervening is probably the best approach for the Ximungwe Female’s situation.
I don’t really have the words to describe how I feel after watching your virtual safari this morning, save to say seeing Ximungwe injured like this was heartbreaking. Rather than rehash what might have happened, my thoughts go to the resilience of leopards in general, and specifically to Ximungwe, given her age and strength. I think about her young cub, hiding somewhere, waiting for his mother to return as that would most likely mean a meal is waiting somewhere. But mostly I think about the healing powers that permeate places in the wild, knowing that the miracle of healing has happened for others before her, keeping positive thoughts.
I am gutted too. The Ximungwe Female is one of my favourite leopards and so I really do wish we could do something. Let’s keep positive.
Hi Sean, I can see this injury to the Ximungwe female has got you very worried, concerned and at the same time emotional. It is never easy to see something like this unfold before you, especially if you know and love the animal, in this case the Ximungwe female being injured and in pain. What do you do in a case like this, do you call the vet in or do you give it time to see if she will heal. I am worried about her and her cub, because how is she going to catch a impala to feed herself and her cub. Oh man this is terrible and heartbreaking news. Hope she recovers quickly. So sorry to hear and see this.
We are all highly concerned fr the Ximungwe Female. It is so terrible to see an animal we love so much injured. Sadly, we don’t call a vet. The injury was caused naturally and the process one would have to go through to help this animal would be too complex, the chances of successfully reintroducing her into the wild after her leg is healed is slim, and with no guarantees. So we hope for the best for her.
Seeing her suffering, my heart goes out to all of you. Please share updates if possible about her condition.
It is such a terrible turn of events for her. We will do our best to keep you all in the loop.
What a tragedy for this wonderful leopard and her cub!
This is indeed a very sad story, hard to digest and it makes one cry. I do hope that she will recover and that she can stay alive somehow and her young cub as well.
It is a heartbreaking story. I really hope that she will recover.
Dear Sean, heartbraking. Hope, that she will manage it, and also her cub. Hard to see her in that condition.
It is so hard and sad to see her in this situation.
I really hate seeing these cats suffering…..I can only hope that by some combination of strength resilience luck magic, whatever that she finds sufficient nutrition and protective coverage to hide rest and heal. However, her poor little baby is another story..unless he is lucky enough to find an old carcass or scavenge his father’s or some incredibly lucky situation.