Update in the Sabi Sands

It is the first quarter of 2010 and I am sure by now there are a couple of you who would like an update on the cubs. So far we know of at least 2 females within the Ximungwe pride in the south of the reserve that have cubs. We have only briefly seen one of the females’ cubs close to Dulini Safari Lodge a few weeks ago. We have not yet seen the other females’ cubs as yet and to be honest we are not sure if they are still alive. One female from the pride that has the black tip of her tail missing has got one 5 month old cub that has been nick-named “super cub” after the fact that it has been moving around openly with the pride for a month already and has survived all encounters with the dominant males in the area. The Ottawa pride in the North of the reserve has still got all four 4 month old cubs. They were looking a bit thin and sickly a few days ago, but after a Wildebeest kill and two Impala kills, all four are looking great. The last sighting we had of the pride was just on the other side of the River opposite Exeter River Lodge lying on a clearing with one of the dominant males. The leopard cubs in the area are all doing well. The Hlaba Nkunzi female in the West still has her cubs hidden away in a rocky outcrop near our western fence line and are estimated to be around 2 months old now, the Makhubela Female in the East was last seen with her 2 month old cubs a few weeks ago near our Eastern boundary south of Exeter River Lodge and The Shikavi female is believed to have cubs as well. She was last seen heavily pregnant approximately 10 days ago and has recently been seen with fresh suckle marks while feeding on an Impala a few days ago outside Exeter River Lodge Reception, as well as marking territory 2 days ago on River Lodge Room 5 deck. The Shangwa Female Leopard’s 1 year old female is spending loads of time on her own and is mainly seen east of the lodge reception on an area of the reserve known as portion 5. As some guests have seen this little female still has turquoise blue eyes, even at the age of 15 months. Other than that, game viewing is fantastic. The vegetation is starting to dry out, the days are starting to cool down and the bush is not quite as thick, so finding animals is starting to get a little easier after a fairly average summer rain season. This is a perfect time to come on safari and stand a chance of seeing some of the amazing cub sightings that will be happening within the next few weeks. Another very exciting sighting we have been having is of the pack of 6 African Wild Dogs. We are all very excited as we have been seeing the dogs investigating several termite mounds in the area. The Alpha female has been seen entering several mounds, digging, wining and scent marking, all promising (although no guarantee) signs of the dogs looking for a den sight. They will investigate several potential sights all around their home range before settling on a den around weeks 8 – 9. The Alpha female is estimated to be around 5 – 6 maybe 6 and a half weeks pregnant. Keep a look out for further updates in weeks to come.

Posted: Exeter Lodges by Craig Paulsen, Date: 17 March 2010

 
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