Lion and Leopard Cubs Boost Predator Population at Majete

Two lion cubs and two leopard cubs, born several months ago in Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi, have emerged from their lairs and are being seen by the conservation team and visitors to the park.  A sub-adult leopard has also been sighted. The progeny are the offspring of lion and leopard that were re-introduced into Majete during the past three years.

The two lion cubs, whose mother is the lioness known as Shire (named after the Shire River) are believed to have been born six to seven months ago and bring to five the number of lions in the pride at Majete. It has not yet been confirmed which of the two adult male lions is the father. One of the cubs is male while the sex of his sibling is still to be determined.

It is believed that the cubs’ mother hid them in an undetected lair for several months, significantly increasing their survival odds. They are now at an age where they are moving openly with the pride and are left on their own only for short periods when the rest of the pride is hunting. They are however sill at risk of attack by other predators, particularly hyena.

"The male cub will most likely disperse from the pride at around three years old when he starts becoming a threat to the existing males, explained Majete Park Manager, Patricio Ndadzela. "If the other sibling is a female she will remain with her mother and the existing pride.”

The two leopard cubs born three months ago to a female known simply as 578 and the sub-adult by another female called Africom2 are also being seen often in the park. The sex of the three have not yet been confirmed. The two cubs and the sub-adult leopard are likely to remain with their mothers until they are 18 months to two years old, at which point they will disperse and establish their own territories. In addition, another female leopard, Lady Anna, is lactating, an indication that she too has cubs that she has hidden to avoid being killed by other predators. The leopard population at Majete now stands at nine.

"This progeny from re-introduced lions and leopards are a testimony to the restoration of Majete that began 10 years ago, said Patricio Ndadzela. "Their births have helped cement Majete’s reputation as a Big Five Reserve with positive implications for tourism to the park.”