It’s never easy receiving unsettling news regarding any of the Londolozi leopards, especially when it involves one of the most well-known leopards. Word came in from Ranger Jerry Sibiya a few days ago that he’d come across the Ximungwe Female lying in the long grass, seemingly injured. Although visibility was very limited at the time, he’d noticed she was not placing any weight on her front left leg. Concern quickly set in.
One of Londolozi’s most well-known leopards. The Ximungwe Female.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
At first light the following morning, we made our way into the Maxabene Riverbed with the hope of finding her and understanding the extent of her condition. Before the sun had even crested the horizon, we found her curled up on a cluster of granite rocks, visibly uncomfortable. When she eventually rose and began to move, our worries were confirmed. She was almost completely unable to use her front left leg, hobbling through the sand and over the boulders.
She managed to climb up the steep southern bank of the Maxabene without too much difficulty which was slightly inspiring, considering what initially appeared to be an incredibly dire situation.
We looped around and got atop the bank where we could view her from a bit closer. No obvious wounds or blood were visible, which suggests there may be a deep sprain or possibly even a bad fracture about halfway up her leg. It doesn’t seem like there is a problem with her paw, but instead higher up on the leg. Either way, her discomfort was undeniable. And you can see this clearly in Sean’s Virtual Safari from yesterday.
However, in true leopard fashion, her spirits were still high. Not long after moving off, she paused to stalk a herd of rutting impala — it was at least an attempt, albeit a compromised one.
She even took time to scent-mark and rub up against some of the small bushwillow and guarri trees, a clear sign that her instinct to maintain her territory remains strong.
The real concern for us, of course, lies in her vulnerability. Being injured, she cannot move as silently or quickly, which increases her risk in an area where lions are always a threat. The pattern of the sound of her limping through the dry, wintery grasses and leaves puts her at a huge disadvantage. It will be very hard to remain undetected, which is something leopards are so naturally good at and rely on for their survival.
Her young male cub, who is still very dependent on her for its survival.
And then there’s also her cub—a young male who, at 7 and a half months, is still very much dependent on her for food and protection. Although we’ve seen no sign from her behaviour that she’s lost the cub, it hasn’t been seen since her injury. It’s incredible how one day a cub’s future can almost seem so certain and positive, and other days, simply surviving can seem almost impossible.
Later that afternoon, we were relieved to find her again. This time resting atop a dead fallen marula tree on an open crest, gazing down into the valley below at a herd of impala. Despite her condition, she was alert, scanning for any opportunity. We were able to get a better view of her leg this time, and it definitely appears to be very swollen.
This next chapter for the Ximungwe Female is going to be extremely difficult for her and is a stark reminder to us of how fragile survival can be out here in the wild. But if there’s one thing leopards teach us time and time again, it’s resilience. We remain hopeful for her healing and for her cub’s future. We’ll continue to follow her journey closely and keep you updated with whatever unfolds next.
This is extremely sad. Survival in the bush means a really very thin line between life and death, enjoyment and tragedy. Just to think of her suffering so much and of the fate of her cub makes one cry.Does it not put extra strain on her when vehicles follow her in this difficult situation?
I do hope that she might recover and that it is not too late for her cub.
Would the cub be able to catch some little prey for himself at his age?
Fingers crossed for her and her cub
Hi, her future may be positive, but for her cub there is no hope… I ask yo myself if this is one of the rare cases in which human intervention is needed… no natural conflict but an accident, like the honey badger that was trapped…
I do hope she is able to make a full recovery and that her cub survives. I’m not sure which is a better scenario: a potential fracture, a sprain, or a torn ligament of some kind. Regardless, her behavior thus far still gives me hope.
I hate to think it but maybe the injury was caused by whatever got to her cub? And if so might increase her successful healing chances if she doesn’t have to also worry about caring for her cub? Poor girl. Hoping for the best!!!
Oh nooo poor girl. We saw Nhlanguleni last Sept with a very sore back leg and worried about her. But I have to think that a front leg injury would be far worse because it would affect Ximungwe’s ability to hunt and hoist and get up into trees in the face of danger. So concerned.
Dear Matt, that a bad news, and I hope, she will manage it. Did you see the cub meanwhile?
Watching Sean’s video yesterday was heartbreaking as Ximungwe gingerly made her way through the bush, seeming to wince if she put weight on her left front foot but then I thought about another leopard who also suffered a leg injury – Nhlanguleni. We spent part of a morning with her recently and remarked on how well she looked for her age. She still had a faint trace of a limp, but she’s obviously healed well enough to continue to hunt and take care of herself. So keeping Nhlanguleni’s injury in mind, I can only
hope that Ximungwe will be able to heal herself as well. Unfortunately, unless she finds a meal and her cub soon, he could be the tragic loss in this story…….
Hi Matt, this is heartbreaking to see the Ximungwe female in this condition. Where is her son, we have not seen him nearby her. Know she cannot hunt and she and her cub cannot eat. Can you not get the vet out to look at her injury and help her at least please.
Thx for the update Sean Let keep our fingers crossed I really hope she will recover soon. Hopefully her cub is okay 🙏🙏
Any updates on how she’s doing? And her cub?
Matt, Thanks for the update on Ximungwe. We hope she regains her strength and is able to provide for her cub!