This week started with an update on a story a lot of you have been following closely. Then things got interesting in a way I wasn’t expecting.
The Mhangeni Pride had the Nkumati Males arrive mid-sighting — and the subadults made themselves scarce before anyone had to tell them twice. Then Keagan found something I genuinely wasn’t expecting to see, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of the week.
There’s also a brief but welcome sighting of the Tsalala Female back on Londolozi. Just resting in the grass. But good to have her back.
And a Nkoveni update — the morning after the near-miss at the den, we got a message while at my desk that she was in the throes of a boxing match with the Tinxiya Female.
Press play. Come along for the ride.
Don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t already.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
What a cliffhanger this week! I’m sure everyone will be waiting for an update on the condition of the Tinxiya female. The serval sighting was phenomenal–how lucky. This is the first I’ve heard that the Tsalala female lost her second litter, and of course that’s very disappointing. Here’s hoping her next litter is successful.
Tinxiya was fine — no serious injury. Both leopards went their separate ways without lasting damage. On Tsalala — it’s a hard reality for a female operating without pride support. But she keeps going, which says everything about her. Fingers crossed the next litter sticks.
Beautiful shots of the serval, Sean – clearly she’s heard of the fame of your weekly videos and thought she’d pose for you!
Is Nkoveni still showing suckle marks?
That might be the case, haha. On Nkoveni — yes, still showing suckle marks. Hopefully we have some news to share with you soon.
Thanks, Sean, for another great week in video.
It’s a pity that the Tsalala lioness also lost her second litter. It would be really great if she could get cubs and rase them finally. Of course, it would be even better if she did this on Londolozi.
What exactly was the outcome of that fight between the Nkoveni and the Tinxiya Females?
I remember seeing the Three Rivers shortly after that really heavy fight with the Nkoveni Female.
To see a Serval in bright daylight is really something special and exciting.
Wow, what an interesting week that was.
Good question on the outcome of the fight. Both leopards walked away without serious injury — they went their separate ways and that was that. Territorial disputes between leopards are usually more noise and posturing than lasting damage. The Three Rivers and Nkoveni fight you’re remembering was significantly more serious than what happened here. This one resolved itself cleanly.
Hi Sean, that was such a wonder surprise to see the Tsalala female again, pity her cubs were killed for the second time know. She is looking good and let’s hope she stays on Londolozi and mates with the Gijima males to secure her cubs safety. Wow what a site viewing the Serval, beautiful cat on those long legs. Nkoveni fighting with Tinxiya female, not good at all, especially if she still has her tiny cubs. Hopefully soon you will get a glimpse of her cubs once she decides to show you were her den is.
Thanks Valmai. The Tsalala news is hard. She’s a resilient animal but the odds without pride support are genuinely stacked against her. On Nkoveni and Tinxiya — both were fine afterwards, which is the important thing. Territorial disputes between leopards rarely end in serious injury. And on the den — we are getting closer. It’s just a matter of time and the right morning.
Well, you certainly began this virtual safari with a bang! I hadn’t expected to see Nkoveni engaged in an altercation with Tinxiya given she has young cubs to look after, and even without your 2023 footage, it brought back grim memories of the fight between Nkoveni and Tinxiya’s mother. Fortunately they parted ways without injury and hopefully they each stay in their lanes moving forward.
It was interesting to see the dynamics between the Mhagheni pride and the Nkumati coalition – it certainly seems that all the coalitions and the prides are staying close to one another, just in case. But the real surprise was your footage of the serval – what a spectacular capture of this more nocturnal predator almost mid-morning. I have only seen one a couple of times – once at night outside my room and another time in Botswana. Any sighting is a real gift as they are even more elusive than leopards.
But, my favorite part of your video this week is seeing my favorite lioness, Tsalala, albeit looking a bit tired and perhaps forlorn (sorry to anthropomorphize). It is heartbreaking that she lost another litter of cubs but since she has no pride or male coalition protections, trying to raise multiple cubs is extremely difficult. It is a testament to her mother that Tsalala grew to adulthood. It would be great if she stayed home when she gives birth again, as perhaps she would have a better chance of raising a cub in the same area where she was raised. Once can hope. Once again, thanks for keeping us in touch with what is happening out there……
Thank you Denise. The history between Nkoveni and Three Rivers does cast a shadow over any altercation involving Nkoveni and a younger female. The good news is both leopards walked away without serious injury and resumed their own business. On Tsalala, she’s had a hard run of it. Hopefully, she stays here and gives birth on Londolozi next time, familiarity with territory does make a difference for a female raising cubs alone.
Dear Sean, what a clip of the serval- I have to see it twice. This ears are incredible.
Thank you so much, Jutta. I was so amazed to see the serval
Incredible to see a serval, I’m just as amazed as you are! An emotional reunion with Tsalala; let’s hope she finds peace on Londolozi land. Many thanks for keeping us updated Sean!
I am really hoping that the Tsalala Female hangs around here a little longer and tries to raise her cubs on Londolozi. But I guess we wil just have to wait and see.
Outstanding serval encounter. So exciting. Great video!