Nashipae is a common name among regular visitors to Kenya’s most famous and visited game reserve, the Maasai mara game reserve. Nashipae is a mother cheetah who has become famous not only among tour guides & drivers who frequent the Maasai mara plains but also among international tourists, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts around the globe.
NASHIPAE: The renowned Queen Mother cheetah of Maasai Mara
Nashipae is a mother cheetah who has become famous in Maasai Mara.
- October 11, 2024
- 10:30 am
Nashipae is a mother cheetah who has become famous not only among tour guides & drivers who frequent the Maasai mara plains but also among international tourists, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts
Nashipae is a common name among regular visitors to Kenya’s most famous and visited game reserve, the Maasai mara game reserve.
Nashipae is a mother cheetah who has become famous not only among tour guides & drivers who frequent the Maasai mara plains but also among international tourists, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts around the globe. She has adapted well to the challenges of the savanna plains and currently, has successfully raised 4 cubs who are almost into adulthood.
Nashipae in the maa language means “happiness”. This translates to the joy and happiness bestowed upon wildlife enthusiasts upon sighting her and her cubs patrolling the vast plains of Maasai mara.
Birth:
BIRTH: Born in July 2023 near kissinja area in the north east parts of mara, this mother cheetah has defied all odds and raised all four cubs successfully.
Reproduction and Survival:
Cheetahs in general face extinction pressure from a myriad of factors both natural and human induced. Climate change, habitat loss, human persecution are among challenges cheetah population and reproduction is facing.
Upon successful reproduction, cheetah cubs experience constant threat from other bigger and stronger predators in the savanna including hyenas, lions, leopards and other reptiles such as pythons.
Cub Mortality is 31.3% meaning that only a fraction survive from birth to adolescence.
Home range:
One of the contributing factors to Nashipae’s success at motherhood is having a vast home range in which she can patrol and forage for food.
Apart from constant guard by rangers from the Maasai mara park authority, Nashipae patrols a massive home range stretching from Olare Motorogi conservancy in the north, to sand river area in the southern border of Maasai mara and Talek area in central mara.
Cheetahs have a varying home range depending on their habitat. Some cheetahs have an overlapping home range between 150 km sq for a female cheetah and close to 200 km sq for a coalition of more than 3 males.
Life & Growth:
By the time of writing this blog, Nashipae’s cubs are almost 15 months old and will soon leave their mom and find a life of their own.
Coalition among males born together (brothers) is a common occurrence in the savanna plains and in many instances. Adoption of coalition mates does happen but only happens when the cheetahs are under 2 years of age or around 2 years of age. Coalition of older males may never work because of dominance tendencies and traits.
The best example of male coalition in Maasai mara is the famous TANO BORA coalition who ruled the plains of mara for close to 7 years before the first coalition partner (Orpadan) died in November 2021.
Now back to Nashipae cubs:
Growth of cubs under a right environment is pretty rapid. At 6 months of age, the cubs are half the size of an adult; however, the tawny coat of hair running from the back of their head all the way to the lower back is still conspicuous up to ages of 17-20 months.
Hunting lessons:
In many of my encounters with Nashipae and her cubs, I see her teaching the cubs hunting skills. The skills they will need when they are independent adults living their own wild lives. Every time I meet the mom and cubs, spontaneous smiles still show in my face even after many months of seeing them. Hunting skills are life skills passed on from mother cheetahs on to their offsprings and are learnt gradually.
By 18 months, the cubs will be dependent on themselves and at this age, they can successfully secure a meal on their own. Female cubs will leave the brotherhood first and males will highly stay together and form a coalition of brothers.
Sexual maturity & Adulthood: Females cubs will reach sexual maturity earlier than male counterparts.
At 21 months, ovulation starts to occur and the females will be receptive to mating by spray scenting.
Cheetahs, just as many other big cats, have a lifespan of 12-14 years.
Latest News
Adventure tourism is one type of niche tourism in Kenya that involves exploration or travel to remote areas, where the traveler should expect the unexpected. It may include the performance of acts that require significant effort or some degree of risk. This appeals to travelers who seek to experience nature and wilderness in a more immersive and adventurous way.
Namunyak Conservancy, nestled in the heart of Kenya, is a shining example of ecotourism where conservation meets success. My journey began with detailed directions to this pristine sanctuary, where the Samburu community and wildlife thrive in harmony. Known as a "place of peace" in the Samburu language, Namunyak protects threatened elephant populations and supports sustainable pastoralist practices.