The winter months often bring some of the best leopard viewing of the year. With the vegetation thinning out and the cooler temperatures encouraging more daytime activity, it is a season that frequently delivers exciting sightings and memorable moments. Over the past few weeks, however, one particular leopard has had all of us watching her movements a little more closely than usual.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
The Nkoveni Female was first seen mating with the Maxims Male on the 12th of March this year. Since then, we have been eagerly following her progress and looking for any signs that she may have conceived. On the 16th of June, she was seen looking heavily pregnant, moving through the central parts of the reserve with a noticeably swollen abdomen. Just two days later, on the morning of the 18th of June, she was found once again—but this time the signs told a very different story.
The prominent suckle marks visible on her underside suggested that she had already given birth, quite possibly the day before. What made the sighting even more intriguing was the location from which she emerged. She was found moving away from an area where we know the Ximungwe Female has previously denned some of her litters, along the Maxabene Riverbed.
This observation may also provide further insight into a shift that we have been noticing in the Nkoveni Female’s movements over recent months. Historically, she has occupied territories further east, but her regular use of the central parts of the reserve suggests that she may have expanded or shifted her territory slightly westwards.
Female leopards will typically choose den sites close to the heart of their territory. By keeping their cubs in these core areas, they reduce the chances of encounters with neighbouring leopards and other potential threats during the cubs’ most vulnerable weeks. While we cannot say with certainty where the cubs are hidden, all signs point towards the possibility that she has settled them somewhere within this central section of her range.
The Stone Drift and Xinkhova Females from 4 years ago. The cubs of the Nkoveni female have always provided some of the best leopard viewing there is.
Needless to say, this is incredibly exciting news for all of us. The arrival of leopard cubs is always a special event, and the prospect of following another chapter in the Nkoveni Female’s remarkable story is something that both rangers and trackers are eagerly anticipating.
Now in the early stages of his independence and still seen in and around the Nkoveni Females territory, the Shingi Male continues to go from strength to strength.
At the same time, this is an exceptionally sensitive period for both mother and cubs. The cubs will still be tiny, fragile, and heavily reliant on their mother’s protection. For this reason, we will not be placing any additional pressure on her by attempting to locate the den. Instead, we will allow her the space she needs to raise her cubs naturally and safely.
Now 14 years old, the Nkoveni Female continues to exceed expectations. Should these cubs survive to independence, she could be around 16 years old by the time they leave her care. Given her age, there is a very real possibility that this could be the final litter she raises.
For now, all we can do is wait patiently and hope that the coming months bring good fortune for both mother and cubs. We will be sure to keep you updated as we learn more about the latest additions to one of Londolozi’s most celebrated leopard lineages.
Soooo exciting! I will be eagerly following the story. I saw her with Shingi and his little sister in September 2024, at the same sighting as the image used in this post. I hope she and her cubs will fare well, and remain safe. A very exciting prospect to hopefully see the little family in late October!
Super photos, lets hope that she is able to bring the cubs to independence
Hi Matt, what wonderful news!
I think it is a very good idea that the team has decided not to “place any additional pressure on her by attempting to locate the den”. There will surely be enough time for watching the cubs when they are a bit older.
By the way, what has happened to the Ximungwe’s cubs? All of you were so eagerly looking for them in April. By now they must be about 6 months old.
I am looking forward to hearing more about Nkoveni and her cubs. Would be wonderful if she could raise one more, and as you said probably her very last litter.
Hello Matt. Great news, indeed. I wonder who are the two cats on the last picture of this blog… Nkoveni and Maxims? or Nkoveni and one of her cubs? Thank you.