This week’s Virtual Safari takes us deep into the unpredictable world of the Ximungwe Female and her cub.
What begins as a tense sighting quickly unfolds into one of resilience and relief. After losing her hard-earned impala kill to a dominant male, we feared the worst for her cub, as this was not the dominant male that we thought it was.
While waiting for the drama to unfold, we throw back to another recent sighting where the Ximungwe Female revealed once again just how skilled, determined, and resourceful she is — showing feats of speed and agility that are hard to believe, especially considering she is still recovering from a broken leg.
From stolen carcasses to gravity-defying climbs, and the lingering uncertainty around her cub’s safety, this episode is filled with twists that highlight both the dangers and the wonders of life in the wild.
Enjoy this week’s Virtual Safari…
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Great to see that the Ximungwe female is doing so well. Looking forward to see the two reunited in another video soon.
It was incredible to see her dragging a carcass around like this. She has recovered so well.
Hi Sean, what a thrill with this video! Absolutely amazing! First, it’s fantastic to see how the Ximungwe female recovered. She’s just perfect in all her moves and decisions. She’s soo beautiful! One of the most beautiful leopardesses. Like her sister the Nkoveni Female and her mother the Mashaba female she’s a champion of resilience in the wilderness. I’m also over the moon for the cub! Lovely to see the Mawelawela male… who knows, the cub is not strikely similar to the Maxim male at all. He may be the Mawelawela’s son. Of course, she might have mated with both dominant males… all beautiful animals! And the pesky hyenas can’t miss the chance as usual. I guess they flourish because of leopards kills! Waiting for further news on the miracle mother and son, thank you, have a nice Sunday!
Thanks so much Francesca, what a joy it’s been to see her bounce back so strongly! You’re right, she comes from a real dynasty of resilient females. Yes, hyenas are never far away.
Hi Sean, that was a phenomenal sighting of the Mawela well male, have not seen him for quite a while. But it was tense just watching him feeding and lying on the branch and poor Ximungwe female had to sit it out and wait for him to finish feeding. Luckily the cub is still alive and well and I am elated that the Ximungwe females leg has healed so very nicely. I am sure your heart was skipping a beat when you realized it was not the Maxim’s male. Hopefully she did mate with this males so that is why he did not kill the cub thinking it is his cub.
Thanks, Valmai! It really was tense with Mawelawela up the tree and her having to wait it out. It is such a relief to see that the leg is healing the way it has.
It has been such a relief to watch her heal and still be able to care for her cub. Super Mom status! 🏆
Super Mom indeed, Chelsea! She’s shown such grit and care through it all, really inspiring to watch.
That’s excellent news Sean, how wonderful to see the recovery she’s made, truly remarkable. I think her cub was born early November, so will be approaching 10 months old?
Thanks Suzanne. Yes, that timing sounds about right. He was actually born on the 25th of October. Sad news that he is now no longer around.
The Ximungwe Female is a really brilliant hunter and such a tough leopardess. It is nearly a miracle, as you said before, that she has recovered so well and been able to feed herself and the cub during this challenging time.
I am so glad for her and the cub.
Great video, Sean, thanks.
Appreciate it, Christa. She really has proven just how tough she is. That recovery, paired with her hunting ability, has been remarkable to witness.
It’s fantastic to see Ximungwe looking even stronger since the last posting of her and her cub. Whatever the injury was to her leg, has healed remarkably well save for a bit of swelling at the joint but that does not hold her back in her ability to hunt and care for her cub. The bush healing magic certainly worked for her and I’m in awe as she not only nurtured herself but her cub as well.
It’s been a long time since anyone has posted an image of the Malawela male but you were certainly granted an epic sighting. Looking at him I noticed he has the same kohl black coloring around his eyes, like the Senegal Bush male. Since he has no blood relationship with any of the Londolozi females, he could be a good candidate for mating with Xinkhova.
As an aside, any reports on where Mahlahla, first son of Ximungwe is spending his time?
Thanks for another brilliant virtual safari.
Lovely note, Denise, thank you! Nature’s healing powers are amazing, but that swelling hasn’t held her back at all. Mawelawela was a treat to see again, and yes, his colouring does remind me of the Senegal Bush Male. As for Mahlahla, I believe he is much further north in the Manyelethi Reserve.
Truly an inspiring animal in so many ways! What a mother, overcoming a severe leg injury to survive and keep her cub alive. And I’ll always remember watching for an hour as she stalked and wrestled and played with her son, the Ntomi male, on his way to independence. Remarkable and strong.
Beautifully put, Mary Beth. She really is remarkable. I’ll never forget those playful moments with Ntomi either.
Her leg still does look a bit tweaked no? But so glad she’s good!
You’re right, Anita. There is still a decent amount of swelling there. That could be just the way the bone has fused and will probably remain that way. But it doesn’t seem to be slowing her down much at all anymore. She’s powering on.
This is an amazing video Sean, and she continues to cement herself as a truly legendary leopard of Londolozi!!
Thanks, Paul! Couldn’t agree more. She’s earned her place as one of Londolozi’s legendary leopards.”