At nearly 14 years old the Nkoveni Female will almost certainly be one of the oldest territorial female leopards in the Sabi Sands. Over this period, she has established herself not only as a dominant female in the heart of the Londolozi Reserve but also as one of the most successful leopard mothers we have had the privilege of following.
And now there is growing hope that her story may not quite be finished yet.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
The Story Continues… Maybe
To provide context, I need to take everyone back a few weeks, when we were lucky enough to track and find her on the 12th of March mating with the Maxim’s Male. For those familiar with leopard behaviour, sightings like these naturally spark excitement and speculation. Leopard gestation typically lasts around 95 days, give or take a few days either side. Which means that if the mating was successful, she could give birth sometime between mid and late June, which is just around the corner.
At this stage, however, it remains exactly that, speculation… but it is very likely that she is pregnant.
Raising Cubs is Extremely Difficult
Still, the prospect alone is enough to get many of us excited and for good reason! Strangely, it feels like only yesterday we were watching the Shingi Male take his final steps towards independence under the watchful eye of his remarkable mother. It’s a topic that is often raised but probably still understated: raising leopard cubs in this environment is extremely challenging. Lions, hyenas, other leopards, injury, and simple bad luck all play a role in shaping the survival odds of young cubs. At an estimated 85% cub mortality rate — the figures really speak for themselves…
A Maternal Masterclass
Yet somehow she continues to succeed. Quite frankly at this stage there is no denying that her maternal instincts are simply sharper and more finely tuned than those of most other female leopards. She now, according to our observations, has had 6 different litters and managed to raise cubs in 3 of those to independence. A staggering 50% success rate.
What makes the possibility of another litter so fascinating is the stage of life she now finds herself in. As mentioned, the Nkoveni Female turns 14 this August. In leopard terms, that is a significant age, particularly for a female that has spent years defending territory, hunting consistently and raising multiple litters of cubs. She does, however, have the advantage of her mother’s (Mashaba Female) genes, if that is anything to go by, who was still seen at 17 years old, stay tuned for an update on her as soon as we can conclusively determine what her fate is.
Londolozi's oldest territorial female. Distinguished by her nose spot, this Sunsetbend matriarch's legacy lives on through her daughters.
The physical demands of motherhood in this environment are immense. A female leopard raising cubs must hunt relentlessly, hide and move den sites regularly, defend kills, avoid dominant predators, and somehow still maintain enough condition to survive herself. It is an exhausting process even for younger females in their prime.
The Nkoveni Female quite gracefully ascends a tree to feed on her kill
Is This a Bridge Too Far?
Which raises the question: could this be one challenge too far, even for a leopard as experienced as Nkoveni?
Or perhaps experience itself is the very thing that gives her a chance. Time and time again, she has shown an incredible ability to adapt. Patient, attentive, and deeply instinctive in the way she approaches motherhood.
There is something quite special about watching an ageing leopard continue to defy expectations. Not through dominance or brute strength alone, but through experience gathered over years of survival.
As Per Usual – Patience
For now, all we can do is wait.
Perhaps somewhere in the next few weeks, another chapter in this incredible female leopard’s life will start in the dry riverbeds and thickets of the Maxabene (dry river bed at Londolozi). And if it is, there are few females more capable of writing it than the remarkable Nkoveni Female.
After the heartbreak of the demise of the three rivers female. It is good to Possibly have some good news. Great to see this amazing leopard do so well. Let’s hope. We’ll hear good news soon. On the subject of pregnancy. Any more news on the Tsalala female? And. With 5 wild dogs pregnant. What are the chances of the pack splitting up??
Fingers crossed that if she does have another litter, luck will be with her and the cubs. After the tragedy of Three Rivers, I think we are all hoping for a happier outcome for her and new leopard lives…
Let’s hope for good news, especially after the devastating loss of ThreeRivers female. We met Nkoveni the first time when she was a cup in 2012, so she is very special for us.
Nic, if there’s a female that could rise her cubs to independence, not all maybe, is the Nkoveni Female. She’s aged but it doesn’t count about her it seems … I’m so sorry for the Nhlanguleni female. Same age but looks worned out..if there’s a female that may reach a golden age that’s the Nkoveni Female, I’m sure… it seems that her mother disappeared for good… this is another unpleasant happening. Life is so… thanks you Nic for such wondrous pictures and news!
Hi LGR. That blog on the nearly 14 year old Nkoveni female is possibly heavily pregnant with what will be her 6th and last ever litter of cubs, that I really hope she’ll be successful in raising them all the way to hard independence. It was also very interesting indeed to see and read, so thank you so much for putting it up. Although the Nkoveni female, who will be 14 years old in August, is getting on a bit by leopard standards, she still looks very well, fit and healthy enough to raise another final litter of cubs to ensure they’ll survive long enough to secure and continue her legacy very well and successfully when the time comes and she’s no longer around one day.
We know she’s raised three independent offspring to independence now, so it will be nice and good to see her raise another two or three cubs to independence, too. I know we don’t know how many cubs she will have in her final litter when she hasn’t given birth there yet, but I suppose we could just guess how many cubs she might have and give birth to. She will want to have as big and successful a dynasty as possible before she’s to old.
Having got three to independence, I’m so hopeful that she will get another two or three to the same stage as well. As we know that she has managed to get only one male offspring to fend for himself, it would be nice to see her raise another male cub or two to that stage. So far, her legacy is only carrying on through her two young adult independent daughters and her only son, so we can hope she’ll have some more to carry on her legacy.
Whilst we patiently and excitedly wait for her to give birth to her last ever litter there, how many cubs would you guess she will have to feed and look after for the sixth and final time in her long life? I’m guessing she’s got at least 2 or 3 cubs growing inside her balloon sized tummy right now at the moment currently. Like the rest of her fans, I can’t wait to see and read the news that she’s finally lactating heavily, and also see the first ever photos of her last new cubs when the time is right for them eventually. There is no denying that she, like her mother, the nearly 18 year old Mashaba female who the Internet assures me that she is still alive and well there to this very day, is a very special and legendary leopard as well as one of several old favourites among so many people throughout her long lifetime. I know it will be sad when the day comes and one or both of them are no longer around there at all, especially the old Mashaba female, but I’m hoping the Nkoveni female will have at least another 2 or 3 or maybe even 4 years of life left in side her right now. The Mashaba female has got 1st prize for been the oldest living leopard in the whole of the Sabi Sands area, as she will be a great 18 years old in September. Do let me know as soon as possible when you know that she’s lactating heavily for the final time in her life please. I’m in no doubt that her new cubs to be will keep her busy and on her feet a lot of the time, as they will require lots of milk and meat to keep the strong and healthy. She might be in her twilight years now, but I don’t think age is going to slow or stop her experience in cub raising at all. She isn’t the oldest female leopard in terms of age, but she is one of the most experienced and relaxed leopard mothers on your huge property and who will be more than happy to let you all and your guests see, watch and view her and her cubs rest and/or play together one day. I would like to wish her the very best of hopeful luck with raising her new brood once she’s given birth to them.
Hope to hear from you shortly.
Robert 8.6.26
It would be so wonderful if the Nkoveni Female had another litter, Nic.
I am looking forward to hearing more about these expectations.
Keep my fingers crossed for her.
What a challenge she’ll have with another litter! Not only does age make it harder for her but the large population of lions won’t help either. But if any leopard can do it, it’ll be Nkoveni!
Thanks Nic. The Dudley Riverbank female was 14 when she had Ndzanzeni and then raised her to independence….so fingers and paws crossed for Nkoveni!
It would be wonderful if the current “leopard queen” gives birth once again, perhaps in a small way easing a bit of the sorrow felt by the loss of Three Rivers and her cubs as well as Xinkhova’s cubs and one of Ximungwe’s – such a difficult fall for the leopard community and all of you that monitor their lives everyday. Nkoveni is older but very experienced in the ways of the wild, and so my bet is that if any leopard can successfully raise cubs at any age, it would be her.
Hi Nic, that would be wonderful to see her pregnant and seeing little fur balls again. She is such a formidable leopardess and she is a good Mother. Shingi is on his own now so Mom can start with a new family. So sad to hear about the Three Rivers female being killed, so her cubs won’t make it on their own. Nature can be so cruel at times, but we must not interfere with nature, even if it is heartbreaking to see.
That last photo of her lying in the grass, staring into the distance, shows her regal nature. I suppose this comes with all her experience.
Here’s hoping she can raise at least one more cub not independence. I am eager to hear an update about the Mashaba Female. It’s been a long time since she was mentioned.
Having just watched her no more than 3 feet from our Rover, as she battled with a hyena for control of her kill, it was very, very obvious that she is pregnant.
Nic, thanks for the update on in Nkoveni. That would be super exciting to see her have another litter. We’ve enjoyed watching her since she was a cub!!! We will also look forward to an update on Mashaba…