The Xinkhova Female is pregnant. Two drives, two days in a row, and by the second one there was absolutely no ambiguity about what I was looking at. A very distended belly, swollen teats, and a leopard who had no idea she was about to become the most watched animal on the property again.
The first drive I raced out between rain showers to find her up in a riverthorn. She descended, walked right past the vehicle, and that was that — confirmation enough. The second morning Shadrach found her in the exact same tree, almost the exact same spot, grooming in the exact same way. A little bit of deja vu, and honestly not a bad kind.
We don’t know when. We don’t know where. But it’s coming. And we’ll be watching as closely as we can.
In between all of that I bumped into the pack of four wild dogs on the way across to find the Plains Camp Males. Far from home, moving through some rocky thicket. Spent a few minutes with them before they disappeared and I carried on.
And then the Plains Camp Males on a ridge with the most incredible moody cloudy backdrop. Sat there until the light almost completely disappeared, waiting for one of them to cooperate. Eventually one did.
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Born 2021, daughter of Nkoveni. Young dynamo actively claiming territory near camps, showing promise as next generation's dominant female.
Hi Sean, your videos are always so welcome! The Plain Camp males are fantastic lions. The quintessential lions. I’m sorry that they left their females like Tsalala without protection… wow, the Xinkova female is pregnant!! Let’s hope she’ll act better this time, with more maternal experience. She’s so beautiful. Do you know who may be the father of the future cubs? 4 wild dogs are a more “normal ” number. Imagine a pack of 15/20…. they might hunt an exceptional number of preys and many. They are bold creatures, I saw with draught they didn’t want to share water with adult elephants! In the end elephants won, of course…. above all predators and prey. Always surprises!
Thank you Francesca. The quintessential lions, I like that. As for the father, it’s presumed to be the skittish unknown male she was seen mating with a few months ago, the same one that killed her previous cub. Here’s hoping she has better luck this time. And yes, picture a pack of twenty. Glorious chaos.
So, who do you think is the father of Xinkhova’s cub(s)? I remember reading she had mated with the nomadic male that killed her previous cubs, does the timeframe fit – if not (and ignoring her father) who else might she have mated with?
Good question. The presumed father is that skittish, unknown male she was seen mating with a few months back, the same one who killed her last cub. The timing fits, so he’s the likeliest candidate. Mostly, we’re just hoping she has better luck raising this litter.
I liked that elephant chasing a hyena, Sean. It is always so funny when an elephant shows who really is boss in the wilderness. In my opinion: definitely the elephants.
But my heart goes out to the Xinkhova female. I saw her last litter and it was so sad when she lost herbs so soon after having given birth to them.
Hopefully she will be more successful this time.
Good to hear that the wild dos plus puppies are fine and the Camp Planes males are doing well.
One always hopes for some wonderfully impressive roars; it is such a great sound of the bush.
Great video, Sean and thanks for it
Thank you Christa. The elephant settling the argument never gets old, and I’m with you on who’s really boss. My heart’s with Xinkhova too after last time. Here’s hoping this chapter reads better.
Hi Sean, that is such good news hearing that the Xinkhova female is heavily pregnant. Let’s hope this time things will be much better for her. The wild dogs are forsure very energetic and are always a good sighting to see. I love the Plains Camps male and your footage of them is stunning, especially that beautiful cloudy scene. I still prefer these two brothers to the Gijima brothers.
Thank you Valmai. Good news indeed, and fingers crossed for a better outcome this time. Glad you enjoyed the Plains Camp Males footage. You’re not alone in favouring those two.
I’m so happy for this fantastic virtual safari this morning as I’m missing the action, or not, in the bush today. It is so obvious that Xinkhova is pregnant in your video with that low slung belly, and her swaying walk. Let’s hope that she has learned some mothering techniques after her last litter, especially how to carry them and protect them. She may need some counseling from her mother. I know you will keep us posted on her progress..
The four Wild dogs look to be in great condition and it looked as though they had some almost full bellies. Given they were found a distance from the den, let’s hope the pups were behaving and staying out of danger. If they can raise all five, it would be terrific for their pack.
I do have to comment on your brief clip of the Elephant vs Hyena encounter. Seems the Elephant wanted to send a strong message!
The Plains Camp males are impressive and whilst you didn’t get the shot you were hoping for, you managed to capture the scene beautifully. The skies were stunning but it’s always about the right place, right time when it comes to sunrise/sunset shots that include an animal. As an aside, I had to laugh when you were cajoling Xinkhova to stay put until you had your camera set up, as though she understood people talk, as well as the Plains Camp males. It’s in our nature I suppose, In August I was talking to the Monarch caterpillars munching away in the Milkweed to move or turn in a different direction so I could get a better angle on how they eat – they didn’t listen!
Thank you, Denise. Her belly and that swaying walk really do give the game away, don’t they? Here’s hoping the experience counts for something this time round. And I loved your Monarch caterpillar story; clearly we’re all guilty of it. They never listen.