Every now and again, the bush gives you a reason to pause and appreciate just how remarkable these animals are. The arrival of two tiny leopard cubs from one of Londolozi’s most iconic leopards is certainly one of those moments.
Two New Cubs
After weeks of speculation, we can now confirm that the Nkoveni Female has given birth to two cubs. At roughly eight weeks old, we have been fortunate enough to see them on a handful of occasions already. Having found the latest den a few days ago, we were pleased with how well positioned it was. This, as well as the coming dens/hideouts, will hopefully give the cubs a safe place to spend these incredibly vulnerable first few months. For those who have followed the Nkoveni Female over the years, this feels particularly special as this has the possibility of being her last litter given her age.
Londolozi's most viewed leopard and prolific mother. This gorgeous female has raised multiple cubs to independence.
Maternal Masterclass
The Nkoveni Female has become one of, if not the most successful leopard mothers we have viewed on Londolozi in recent times. Her ability to raise cubs through the incredibly vulnerable early stages of their lives has set her apart. Over the next few weeks, the cubs will continue to grow in size and, importantly, agility as they get their first taste of meat and learn to climb trees effectively.
They will be moved around somewhat frequently as Nkoveni navigates the landscape. Leaving them to hunt and scent mark in the core of her territory will mean that they will spend plenty of time stashed away in makeshift dens and hideouts.
Incredibly, it feels like just the other day we were watching the Shingi Male and his two other littermates at a very similar age. And now, almost two and a bit years later, after watching them, she has started again. At 14 years old, the Nkoveni Female is no longer a young leopard. She has spent more than a decade navigating the pressures that come with being a territorial female.
The last surviving cub of a litter of three, he is on the cusp of independence.
A Powerful Lineage
The father, likely the Maxims Male, is a powerful and established male leopard. While males play no direct role in raising cubs, his continued presence in the area could still prove valuable as the cubs grow. By holding the surrounding territory, he will help keep rival males away and give the Nkoveni Female the best possible chance of raising this litter. She will still have plenty to contend with, though, from finding enough food to keeping the cubs away from lions and hyenas. Nkoveni herself hails from the Sunset Bend lineage, a lineage we have been actively following for a long time.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
Having watched her raise cubs before, we as a team know that she has all the experience needed for the task. And if her recent demeanour is anything to go by, she knows exactly what lies ahead. There is a steely look of determination in her eyes that suggests she is ready for the challenge.
Fingers Crossed
If there is one leopard I would back to do it, it is her. The odds remain stacked against these two little cubs. Lions, hyenas, rival leopards and countless other challenges await them. But for now they have exactly what they need. A safe den. An experienced mother. And a few precious weeks to grow stronger.
We’ll keep you posted!
Morning LGR. Thank you so much for putting up such a good and exciting update on the now 14 year old Nkoveni female and her 2 very cute and tiny cubs who represent her 6th and final litter of cubs in her long and very good lifetime. I think they are very sweet & healthy indeed as she’s done very well to get them to the age when they will start emerging from their densite whilst so very young.
As she did mate with the massive and powerfully stocky Maxim’s male five months ago, so I think he’s more than likely to be the biological father. I know the cubs are very tiny right now, but have you been able to sex the tiny twins there yet at all, or is it just a bit to early to see and tell? Despite her age and years of experience at raising cubs, I’d like to wish her the very best of hopeful luck with raising her new litter of cubs well all the way to very hard independence.
As the massive and powerfully stocky Maxim’s male is a very well and established male leopard, he is the lifeline for the new mother to raise her cubs so well and successfully. As of right now, has she moved the tiny twins to a new densite to keep them safe from intruding leopards and rival predators yet at all? She is undoubtedly the oldest mothering leopard at her age over there at fourteen years old. I hope at least one of the two cubs is a little male, as she has raised only one.
It will be great to have and receive very regular updates on the 14 year old Nkoveni female and her little family in the weeks and months to come and go. And besides the large nomadic Shingi male, she has got the Stone Drift and Xinkhova females as her only surviving offspring right now currently. Thr Plauqe Rock female would have been another one, had she not been killed by the Ntsevu pride in estly June 2 years ago at just 6 years old, and without having raised any cubs to very hard independence for you to see and have viewed. Although she hasn’t given birth to as many litters and cubs as her mother did, but nonetheless, she has been and still is a very good mother to all of the cubs that she has given birth to over the years for well more than a decade. The very shy cub of the Ximungwe female is their older cousin as well. But I don’t think the Nkoveni female would be very pleased to see her nephew/neice of she came across it whilst wondering about and around in her territory. Would she? I don’t know if she’d kill it, but I think the chances are that she won’t be happy. After all, she is related to the cub as she is the cub’s elderly aunt that is also sired by the large Maxim’s male as well. I do hope that the cub of the Ximungwe female soon relaxes down and becomes just as highly relaxed as it’s mother.
Hope to hear from you shortly.
Robert 22.8.26
Hi Robert, thank you for your detailed response. We have been unable to sex the cubs. Hopefully a update will come soon!
Hi Nic, oh how precious are these two tiny fur balls. So excited to see them, knowing that Mom is the best leopardess to raise cubs in the bush as her records stand. Shingi male is on his own know so Mom can spend her time feeding and looking after these precious cubs. I was elated when Sean said he had found the den after nearly a month of looking for it. Nkoveni kept on giving him the round about and would not show Sean where the den is. Thanks for sharing Nic and please keep us up to date of their well being.
Thanks Valmai we will keep you updated
Fabulous news!
Completely agree!
Hi Nic, what a wonderful surprise! A refreshing day! It’s nature winning over time, can you tell the sex of the twins? oh I’m so happy, after all the sad news about her mother and the Ndzanzeni Female who had the same age!
Hi Francesca, we haven’t been able to tell as of yet. We will keep you updated!
Finally the Nkoveni’s den has been found and her two little cubs revealed, Nic!! I’m sure Sean is also beside himself after searching in vain for that last month or so. Terrific news, and please keep us updated!
Great news indeed Paul. We will do.
Thank you Nic, I’m looking f
Thank you Nic, I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s Virtual Safari! I do think with the hours Sean spent trying to find these cubs he should be considered an adoptive parent?!
Haha possibly. Definitely a team effort!
You were right back in May, Nic, when you thought she might be pregnant! I do hope she can bring these two to independence and that I can see them for myself next April. I know that odds are poor but what a tribute that would be to her own mother, Mashaba.
You and I both Mary beth! Keep well
That’s fantastic news! We are coming back to Londolozi in November would be great to see them then 🤞x
Fingers crossed!
Hi Nic. Love, love, love your post on Nkoveni and your pictures of her two little fluff balls. She has been an amazing mom since she began birthing cubs, which is not easy given the number of predators on the property. Hidden in their den they are not quite as vulnerable as they will be in the next few weeks as they become more adventurous and will be taken to kills. There are so many lions in Londolozi currently and that could pose a real problem for Nkoveni, as we’ve seen the leopard population decline because of their presence.
I must admit seeing your photos of her little cubs was a poignant reminder of the day we saw Xinkhova and her cubs…..
Great memories Denise! Such a shame about followed a few days later…
Good news that the cubs are fine.
Such super cute little leopards.
And the Nkoveni Female is such a good mother. So there is a good chance that they will make it.
A question: Do hyenas know your cars and sometimes follow them?
Like here where I live crows know different cars, e.g. of hunters and are very much aware of them.
Hi Christa,
Its an uphill battle but maybe with a bit of luck! We’re incredibly sensitive around the cubs and any possible den site. Any sign of a predator around the vehicle and the guide will immediately stop following her or leave the area. I don’t think they follow the cars no.
It may be pie-in-the-sky thinking, but how fantastic would it be if she raised another intact litter to independence? I won’t hold my breath, but wishing her and these new little ones all the best regardless. 🤞🏼
You and I both Chelsea!
Great article Nic. It was a cold (very cold), wet and windy game drive but so glad we managed to find the den. Please keep us posted on the progress.
Thanks Al, we absolutely will do!
Great news Nic! We are with you on placing bets on Nkoveni! We look forward to more updates on the cubs going forward!
Such exciting news! Hopefully we will see them on our upcoming stay at Londolozi! ❤️
Brilliant news Nic! Si excited for Nkoveni, and wishing her new offspring godspeed in these early crucial weeks!!