The Gijima Males remain firmly in the spotlight. One was recently seen with a swollen face — at first raising concerns of illness, but closer inspection revealed battle scars. With the swelling subsiding, an incredibly full belly and only a small gash visible, it looks like he will recover. His brother, somewhat thinner, was about 1km away resting.
And finally, we return to the Ximungwe Female. The last update raised fears for her cub after the Mawelawela Male stole her kill. Sadly, the cub has not been seen since, and the story has taken a heartbreaking turn. Speculation surrounds what happened, though I’m not entirely convinced it was the male’s doing. We revisit one of the final tender moments between mother and cub, before ending with the Ximungwe Female on the move, attempting to hunt nyala in the golden afternoon light.
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Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
Hi Sean, my heart sunk…. oh no!! Like her sister the Nkoveni Female when she lost her daughter to the Kambula pride I think- she must have been in such a sad state! Hormonal changes follow the lost of a cub, she has a melancholic look at times. I feel for her. Almost unbelievable. Fantastic video of lions… who knows who wounded the Gijma male, in that position it must have been a lion… a Ndzenga male or a Plain Camp male? I hope the cubs will survive. The last images of the Ximungwe female and her cub are just amazing….
It is so sad that she has lost her cub, but I guess it is the circle of life and the challenges a mother faces raising cubs in the wild.
I agree, it must have been another lion. Probably the Ndhzenga Males as I believe the Gijima Males had come from Mala Mala when this male’s face started swelling.
Hi Sean. I am devastated about the Ximungwe females cub. I cannot think that the Mawelawela male would of killed him, as he thought it is his cub. Nevertheless it is heartbreaking to think he is no more with us. Gijima male that is hurt looks as if there was an altercation between some other lions. Maybe the Plain Camps males or the Ndhzenga Males. We were expecting a altercation between the lion coalitions as they won’t share a territory. Coming back to the Ximungwe female, it is so sad because even during her time that her leg was broken, she still hunted for herself and her cub. Endured that pain and discomfort only to lose him at this time.
Many of us are devastated about the tragic news of the cub. My gut feeling is that it was the Kambula Pride that killed the cub.
Yes, the Gijima Male probably got injured by one of the other male lions.
Oh, no!!! This would be the saddest news from the Londolozi leopards, Sean! Is there any chance that he has just not been seen and not killed?! Was there any proof of a killing/ carcass? How can you be sure he’s truly gone? 😢
Thanks for the updates so much!
Sadly there is no conclusive evidence that the cub is dead apart from the fact that it has not been seen for 3 weeks now. During this time the mother has been seen feeding on a number of carcasses and initially moving around contact calling for the cub. She no no longer is trying to find it. We could be mistaken and the cub just hasn’t been seen but based on the mothers behaviour it makes us lean more towards the cub no longer being alive.
Thank you Sean for this Video.
It’s sad that the Ximungwe Female seems to have lost her cub. Especially, as you said after all the bad luck she had had, then the wonderful recovery of her leg and the great effort she had put into her own and her cubs survival during that strenuous time. Her leg seems to have completely healed, hasn’t it?
The activities of the lions are always very exciting with all these different coalitions fighting for the top position. I hope that the Gijima male’s wounds will also heal nicely.
The survival rate of leopard cubs is really very low. So many I have known and seen have died. It’s great though that there are two who have probably made it, at the moment, the Nkoveni young Male and the 3 Rivers young Female.
It is so sad that she lost her cub. Her leg seems to mostly be healed. I am sure it is healed well enough to not affect her day to day life, but is probably still a little bit painful.
Th Gijima Male’s injuries will very likely heal.
Life for a young leopard in the wild is incredibly challenging and the survival rate is not very high at all.
Sad indeed for the Ximungwe cub, after the mom has shown such resilience on the face of adversity…
It is such sad news. But on the bright side, hopefully she falls pregnant again soon and we can see her with another litter of cubs.
Ps The Ntomi male and the Nkoveni young male are superb, but this cub melted my heart… he had something unique… his first big-eared abs smiling pictures!
Thank u for the latest updates. Always sad when a cub loses its life, especially after everything the mom went through.
Let’s hope. She’ll get another chance.
Great to see the lion dynamics. Can’t wait for the next episode
It is always sad, and I find it more heartbreaking when the cubs are older, such as this one. Because you have spent so much time watching them as well as you are seeing their personality come through a bit more.
I’m devastated to learn that after everything Ximungwe has been through after her accident, continuing to hunt with a severely injured legin order to provide for herself and her growing cub, that he has succumbed to the dangers of the wild. It’s been heartwarming watching him grow since I first saw the two of them back in March, a small male cub with very large ears, joyfully engaged in hide and attack with his mother in a grassy enclosure. He seemed devoted to his mother throughout her healing process. Ever the optimist, perhaps he’s just been hiding out …. On the lion front, the Gijimas may have encountered more pushback than they expected whilst trying to expand their territory. Currently they oversee two significant prides in their already large territory and to take on even more real estate and additional prides seems like a suicide mission, given the presence of the Ndhzengas, Plains Camp, Talamati/Nkuhuma coalitions. They are bigger than some of the other males, but there is the possibility of a life threatening injury that could cost one or both their lives. As you say, the dynamics are fluid and it’s a waiting game now to see who will survive.
It is such devastating news, given all she went through. But as you say, it was great to follow along as he grew and developed.
The lion dynamics are constantly keeping us guessing. Currently, the Gijima Males cover a large territory, but it is an never-ending quest for more real estate and prides to control. Let’s see what happens.
I am heartbroken over this, but it’s nothing in comparison to what that mother leopard must be feeling. She defied all odds and kept herself and cub alive and fed while a serious leg injury healed. My thoughts go out for the Ximungwe leopard.
You are not alone in the heartbreak. The Ximungwe Female continuously blew our minds with her resilience and determination.
How old was the cub? And what is the longest you’ve experienced mother/cub apart? Any chance at all still alive? He seemed old enough to be able to get along for a least few days solo?
The cub was nearly 11 months, it was born on the 25th October. There is a chance it is still alive, however, a minuscule chance. She has been seen multiple times feeding on carcasses alone. I hope I am wrong but the chances are super slim.
So so sad for Ximungwe……she was such a stellar mama to her little guy. Her leg looks much much better, but you can see the residual swelling where the bones are continuing to heal and remodel.
It was so heartbreaking for her. There is still some swelling, I am sure it must still be tender and she has not really had an opportunity to let it heal completely with continuously having to hunt.