This week, I could hardly contain my excitement; it started with some news from the north that had us all a little excited. A brief sighting of a female leopard with suckle marks — which means she’s already given birth- and so the search begins again.
The next morning, word came through at the beginning of the game drive that the pack of nine were on the airstrip. By the time we arrived, they had picked up the scent trail of the pack of four who had run through earlier that morning.
Different afternoon, the Styx Male and the Kambula Breakaway Female were doing what they do best. Absolutely nothing. These two have been moving around together for a couple of years now, and this particular afternoon they had no intention of going anywhere. Then some monkeys started alarming nearby, and we went to investigate.
Leading us straight to the Xinkhova Female, we followed her for a bit before she slunk off into the vegetation and then a large female elephant walked straight past us and into the river.
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Born 2021, daughter of Nkoveni. Young dynamo actively claiming territory near camps, showing promise as next generation's dominant female.
A stunning female found in the north. Successfully raised the Thumbela Female while establishing dominance in NW Marthly.
Wow, lots of things to be excited about!
Xinzele has always eluded me (though I did see both of her parents). I have my fingers firmly crossed to see her + cub(s) when I come mid-November. Wish me luck!
Beautiful video, I like the way the elephant cow walked as a queen in the dim light! A nice surprise that the Xinzele female has cubs!
So many different animals are the stars of your newest video, Sean! Thanks for another great video.
Wild dogs are always providing a good show and a lot of excitement.
I am glad to hear that the Xinkhova Female is fine after all the bad luck she had this year losing her first litter.
And it’s great news that the Xinzele Female has cubs.
And, of course, I’m looking forward to hearing more about the den site of the wild dogs and to seeing these cute little doggies.
Hi Sean, you were very busy this week and what a week it was for you. Loved the Xinzele walking by and now we know she has had her cubs, the search will be on for looking for her den. Wild dogs were crazy and wow they have so much energy just running and running and stopping to smell everything out. The Styx male and female lioness just lazing around. Xinkhova is on her way somewhere and that huge elephant cow was beautiful to end your virtual safari for this week.
Great news that Xinzele has birthed another litter. Let’s hope this time she will be successful in raising at least one. Actually has anyone had news on where Thumbela is these days?
Also it’s so exciting that there is an active wild dog den in Londolozi! I’m waiting patiently to learn what pack it is and hopefully they can keep their pups safe, given the number of wild dogs that seem to be roaming throughout the SabiSand. The last time I saw Xinkhova was in April with her tiny cubs and we know how that turned out, so since she’s been mating, let’s hope that she falls pregnant again and has learned a few mothering lessons. Has her sister managed to raise a cub to independence yet – I know she had a male that came somewhat close. It seems once the cubs reach the 10 month old stage they become so much more vulnerable.
It seemed surprising to see the lone cow crossing at Finfoot as I had thought the family (breeding herd) stayed together. Anyway, thanks for an informative and exciting safari this week!!
So much action Sean! Great videos of each of the beautiful creatures, as always.