The female leopard from the area north of KwaMbili has successfully raised three cubs to over a year old now. It is unusual for so many cubs to survive so long and demonstrates this female’s abilities. There are two little females and a large male. The cubs’ father is the dominant male called Ntsako. As a cub we knew Ntsako would grow into a big leopard and he did – he has even been observed stalking zebra. Ntsako grew up around KwaMbili and still regularly visits the camp.
We recently found mother and cubs at a kill and got some great photos. The young male certainly seemed to be posing for the photo, and it is clear that he has inherited his father’s genes. He is already big – and bold. Just the other day when his mother had lifted an impala kill into a tree so he and his siblings could feed in peace, the male cub became increasingly annoyed by the presence of a hyena under the tree, descended and confronted the hyena, driving it off! And he is still a cub…
If his self-confidence doesn’t get him killed, we can look forward to seeing a big male – possibly even bigger than his father Ntsako – around in future. Let’s hope he makes it.
