This week the bush was busy.
There’s been a developing storyline among the lions on Londolozi that I’ve been tracking with you for the last few weeks now, and this week it took another turn. A coalition we don’t see often turned up, and what followed was brief but said a lot about who runs which corner of the property right now.
In between all of that, a leopard I haven’t spent much time with showed up looking like she’s come into her own. Another leopard tested my patience over a morning that nearly went nowhere before paying off in the best way. And we ended the week with a herd of elephants in golden light, with one young calf in particular doing his best to remind me why I love this job.
It was the kind of week that holds a bit of everything. Lion politics. A young leopard finding her place. A long wait that turned into a small reward. And a baby elephant who hasn’t worked out yet that the world is a serious place.
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Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
Thanks for a wonderful episode. Really exciting to follow the lion dynamics currently. Never a dull moment. So. Waiting in anticipation to see what will happen next. Now. Just some more good news from the Tsalala female will make the picture complete. Same with the leopard situation. Very interesting to follow the next chapter, after the sad demise of the Three River Female. Looking forward to next week!!!
Certainly never a dull moment out here. On the Tsalala Female, we are still waiting for confirmation but there is a chance that she has sadly lost her cubs.
I’d like to buy one of those hats that Sean is wearing. Do you have an online store?
Hi Mary, we are glad you love the Caps. At the moment we do not have an online store. We are working on a few things and we will reach out if we manage to make a plan.
Thanks, Sean, for another great video!
The stories of the lions at Londolozi are always really exciting. So many new coalitions coming in or passing through and maybe trying to establish a territory for themselves. It’s always so interesting to hear news about all these lions.
I keep my fingers crossed that the beautiful Tinxiya Female will be able to take over her mother’s territory without too many troubles from other females.
And of course, the amazing Nkoveni Female! One of my favourites and such a skilful leopard who knows her whereabouts . Let’s hope that she will have a (probably) last litter on Londolozi. Would be great.
And you are right: there are all these animals, always struggling and working out how to survive best and there are these tiny elephants whose mothers and other family members help them find their place and teach them everything.
If I could choose to be reborn (kind of) as an animal, my choice would certainly be an elephant. They seem to have the least worries in the world as long as there is enough water and nice green stuff.
The elephant reincarnation pick is a strong one — I’ve spent a lot of mornings watching them and the social bonds they have are something else entirely. Yes, this could very likely be the Nkoveni Female’s last litter but we will have to see how everything goes.
This was a perfect virtual safari balanced with some lion excitement, the grace and beauty of leopards and finally the antics of an elephant calf exhibiting the “zoomies”. It appears that the Gijimas who had sired so many cubs south of your border, have now been replaced with the four N’wawishaka males, who have been mating with the Southern Pride, Msuthlu and Styx females. After pushing the Ndhzengas north of Londolozi, the Gijimas have set themselves up for a similar situation to happen if this young coalition decides to pursue their desire for territory and the inherent females. The always evolving lion dynamics….
I was fortunate to finally spend time with the Tinxiya female one morning in April and found her to be a stunning young leopard – her eyes are like a window into her soul.
For June, the property is still quite green which is great for the elephants and grazing herds, thanks to all of the rain during the first four months of the year, so hopefully you will experience a mild winter and continue to enjoy all the action in the pans, dams and river.
Yes, the Gijima Males have been replaced to the south by the Nwaswitshaka Males. So glad you got to spend some time with the Tinxiya Female, she is s stunning young leopardess. It is still very green here at the moment and that is all in thanks to the late and extensive rainfall we have had.
Thank you Sean. What spectacular sunrises you’ve had there! Yes, that elephant calf is just too cute for words…how old would you guess it is?
As for Nkoveni, are you assuming Maxim’s is the likely father?
The sunrises and sunsets at this time of year have been absolutely spectacular. I would say it was about 3-4 months old and certainly full of beans. Yes, it is most likely that the Maxim’s male is the father.
Hi Sean, seeing these lions running through the water to cross over to the other side makes a person nervous and excited at the same time. Hearing the altercation makes your imagination run freely and scarry. The Tinxiya female has to fend for herself now that her mother is no longer around. So sad she was a favorite of mine. Nkoveni is a gorgeous female and I can’t stop looking at her and hearing about her. Let’s hope she is pregnant, she is a formidable mother and hunter. Little 🐘 elephant calf is toooo precious, so adorable and very energetic. Let’s hope it will survive and grow up to be an adult elephant and having it’s own calf one day.
The river crossing footage genuinely had my heart going too, I just never knew which way the sighting would go. Thankfully the Tinxiya Female is fully independent and capable of looking after herself, so she will thrive. And yes — fingers crossed on Nkoveni. She knows exactly what she’s doing.
thanks again Sean you are not only an exceptional photographer but a good narrator also thank you again who knows the gijima males their time might be coming to an end over the next year or so mother nature is cruel and yet kind when one sees the joy of a baby elephant just having fun thanks again Lyn
You’re right Lyn — the Gijima Males have had an extraordinary run and nothing lasts forever out here. But they’re still very much in their prime. The calf at the end is exactly what you said — the perfect counterpoint to all of it. Thanks for watching.
Sean, This segment was absolutely amazing – one of the best ever. The lion dynamics never stop and the diversity of all the wildlife you shared highlights the positive effects of 100 years of Londolozi. We loved your final piece – focusing on the pressures that the adults face while the young are innocent and unaware. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri. There always seems to be so much going on. Glad the closing piece on pressure landed the way it was intended.
Thank you Sean! I finally had a chance to watch today and it was so fun to see the recap of different animals… that baby elephant was adorable! .. and your “running over the tree” made me laugh so hard. Love watching your videos.
Thanks for watching Heather, really glad you enjoyed it.