Over the recent few weeks, I found myself drawn onto the enigmatic trail of the Sunsetbend Lineage’s resident leopard, the elusive Plaque Rock Female. Recent events have thrust her into the limelight, as she reveals a belly sporting fresh suckle-marks and an indication that she is raising her fourth litter of cubs.

Embarking on a Mission: The Search for the Den

The undulating landscape of her prime territory along the Sand River conceals the mysteries of Plaque Rock Female’s world. Armed with determination, we set out on a quest, fueled by the revelation of her suspected motherhood. The stakes were high, and the search for her den became a relentless pursuit under the scorching African sun.

The Plaque Rock Female rests atop a termite mound gazing over her territory and down towards the Sand River.

In October, signs of her impending motherhood surfaced, and the air buzzed with anticipation. In November, she appeared in the heart of her territory, feeding on impala lamb carcasses. Patiently waiting for hours on end, our perseverance paid off when she revealed her den, sheltering three heart-meltingly adorable cubs.

One of the three cubs called for their mother while the other two cubs were moving around behind this one.

A Continuation of the Saga: Witnessing Cub Life Unfold

Building on the excitement of the first encounter, the tale took an unexpected turn as Robyn found herself in the perfect place just at the right time. In a display of maternal prowess, the Plaque Rock Female, moved her cubs to a new den along the Sand River. With one cub delicately carried in her mouth and another running alongside, the mother disappeared into a secluded cluster of boulders before returning for the third cub, unveiling the Plaque Rock Female’s second den. My later visit revealed the family exploring their new den, showcasing the remarkable bond between mother and cubs.

During a sighting at the new den the one adventurous cub came up onto the boulder to join its mother.

At approximately six weeks old, this den held the exciting prospect of offering us sensational views in the future. Moreover, the abundance of diverse nooks and crannies within the den heightened the cubs’ chances of survival, providing ample retreat options should any danger loom.

Peaking around the corner it then climbed up onto this rock and stayed there for a little while.

Nuzzling up towards mum, this cub loved to explore around the den.

A Rare Trio: The Remarkable Challenge and Advantage of a Three-Cub Leopard Litter

In the realm of leopards, the birth of a litter comprising three cubs is a rare spectacle. My memory harks back to 2018 when the Mashaba Female, the Plaque Rock Female’s grandmother, gave birth to a three-cub litter. Typically, leopard litters consist of one or two cubs, with the possibility of up to four being exceptionally rare—an occurrence yet to be documented on Londolozi. The challenge lies in the increased demands on the mother, as she must now produce more milk to satiate the hunger of her young. This necessitates heightened hunting and increased food consumption. However, the timing of the Plaque Rock Female’s litter offers a unique advantage.

At one stage the mother came down and collected the cub carrying it back into the den.

Raising cubs at this time of the year aligns with the birthing season of impala females, providing the Plaque Rock Female with a bounty of easy prey. Armed with remarkable hunting skills, she seizes the opportunity presented by the vulnerable impala lambs, ensuring a readily available and nourishing food source for her growing family. While a larger litter demands more energy from the mother, it also enhances the chances of at least one cub surviving—a testament to the delicate balance of nature’s intricate design.

Impala lambs, although being able to walk within minutes of being born, tend to be stashed in the thickets by their mother allowing them some valuable time to become more sure-footed and able to evade predators. They are incredibly vulnerable at this stage and can become easy prey for a mother leopard.

The Unfinished Quest: The Search for the New Den

As sightings at the second den unfolded along the picturesque banks of the Sand River, rangers and guests reveled in the extraordinary views of the Plaque Rock Female and her growing family nestled upon the magical boulders.

with the Plaque Rock Female resting on the boulders, we hoped that all three cubs would come and join her here but only one cub did.

The surprise came as recent observations hinted at an unexpected twist – the Plaque Rock Female, contrary to expectations, had once again relocated her cubs. In the world of leopards, it is customary for a mother to keep her cubs in a den for a couple of weeks, providing a secure sanctuary. However, the Plaque Rock Female’s decision to move the cubs sooner was unexpected. With the cubs becoming more adventurous and eager to explore, this second den proves ideal, offering them the freedom to move around while ensuring the safety of a retreat in case of danger.

With so many hidey-holes to dash into this was the perfect den for the cubs to spend some time at.

So the journey continues, as once again I set off in the pursuit of the Plaque Rock Female, hoping to uncover her next den revealing that all three cubs are still alive and well.

I really do hope that they return back to this den and we get to see all of them up on here where the Plaque Rock Female is lying.