The Big 5 are often associated with power, strength, and their legendary status in the African wild. But before they become the majestic icons we know them as, they start life as small, vulnerable, and undeniably adorable infants. The Baby Fives, the young versions of Africa’s most iconic wildlife, the Big 5 offer a heart-melting contrast to their formidable adult selves.
At Aquila Private Game Reserve, guests often have the rare opportunity to witness these baby animals in their natural environment, taking their first wobbly steps and learning the ways of the wild. Let’s take a closer look at Africa’s Big 5’s early lives and some fascinating baby facts.
1. Elephant Calf – The Gentle Giant’s First Steps
Elephants are the largest land animals, but their calves enter the world relatively small compared to adult elephants. Newborns weigh around 100 kilograms (220 pounds) and relies heavily on their mother and the herd for survival. These gentle giants are born blind and use their trunks and touch and explore their surroundings. It takes months for them to master their trunk’s full range of motion, leading to many amusing moments as they clumsily try to grab leaves, play in the mud, or mimic the older elephants.
Calves nurse for up to two years, and even after they are weaned, they remain dependent on their mothers and the herd for several years. They learn essential skills by watching and interacting with older elephants in the family herd.
Interesting Baby Elephant Facts:
- Elephant calves can drink up to 11 litres (3 gallons) of milk per day.
- They often suck on their trunks for comfort, similar to how human babies suck their thumbs.
- Despite their size, baby elephants are incredibly playful and enjoy running through puddles and rolling in sand.
- The are able to stand within 20 minutes of being born and can walk within 1 hour.
2. Lion Cub – A Future King in the Making
Lions are known as the rulers of the African wilderness, but even the mighty king starts as a helpless cub. Weighing just around 1 to 2 kilograms (2 to 4 pounds) at birth, lion cubs are born blind and completely dependent on their mothers for food and protection. Their first few weeks are spent hidden in dense vegetation while they gain strength.
As they grow, their playful nature emerges, helping them develop hunting and social skills. Cubs wrestle, pounce, and even practice their roars—though they start off as tiny, endearing meows rather than earth-shaking roars. By the time they reach six months, they begin to follow the pride, learning essential survival techniques from the adults.
Interesting Baby Lion Facts:
- Lion cubs have spots at birth, which fade as they grow older.
- Cubs start eating meat at around three months but continue nursing until about six months.
- They often form close bonds with their siblings, sticking together even after they leave the pride.
- Cubs start walking around 10-15 days old.
From Cub to King, curious to know how lions rise to the top of the pride?
3. Rhino Calf – The Precious Giant
With their prehistoric appearance and thick armour-like skin, rhinos are often perceived as tough and invulnerable. However, their calves are born soft-skinned, with no horn and a deep dependence on their mothers. At birth, a rhino calf weighs between 30 and 50 kilograms (66 to 110 pounds), and for the first few months, they stay glued to their mother’s side, learning the ways of the bush.
Rhino calves nurse for up to a year, but they begin nibbling on vegetation within a few months. They are highly energetic and curious, often seen trotting after their mothers or playfully charging at small objects in their environment.
Interesting Baby Rhino Facts:
- A baby rhino’s horn starts growing at around one to two months of age.
- Rhino calves communicate with their mothers using high-pitched squeaks and grunts.
- They are very playful and enjoy running in circles, a behaviour known as “zoomies”.
- Calves stay with their mothers for about 2-4 years.
- Mother rhinos nurse their calves for a period of time, and depending on the species, this can last up to two years.
Aquila’s Animal Rescue Centre (ARC), in partnership with Saving Private Rhino, are responsible for a R30million ivory arrest – the largest ever in the Western Cape.
4. Buffalo Calf – The Tough One
African buffalo are known for their resilience and formidable nature, but as babies, they are small, fluffy, and surprisingly vulnerable. Newborn buffalo calves weigh around 30 to 50 kilograms (66 to 110 pounds) and are up on their feet within minutes of birth—a crucial survival adaptation in the wild.
Unlike some other species, buffalo calves are kept within the herd from the very beginning. The entire group plays a role in their protection, as the herd’s strength lies in its unity. These little ones often stay close to their mothers, drinking milk and learning the herd’s complex social dynamics. Despite their young age, they quickly learn to stick together, a behaviour that will help them survive in the face of predators.
Interesting Baby Buffalo Facts:
- Buffalo calves are born with a reddish-brown coat that darkens as they age.
- They can recognise their mother’s call from a distance even in large herds.
- They are often seen playing by head-butting other calves, preparing for their future as strong herd members.
- Calves are born with open eyes and can stand and walk within an hour of birth.
- Calves are usually born during the rainy season, when grass is abundant, and mothers typically calve every two years.
5. Leopard Cub – A Secretive Start
Leopard cubs have one of the most secretive childhoods of all the Big 5. Born blind and utterly defenceless, these little felines weigh just around 500 grams (1 pound) at birth. A mother leopard keeps her cubs well hidden in dense vegetation or rocky outcrops for the first two months of their lives, ensuring their safety from predators.
As they grow, their playful instincts become evident. They start by playfully pouncing on their mother’s tail, testing their coordination, and later advance to small hunting exercises. Unlike lions, leopards are solitary, meaning that cubs rely solely on their mother for guidance and survival lessons. By six months, they start accompanying her on hunting trips, though they won’t become fully independent until they are around two years old.
Interesting Baby Leopard Facts:
- Leopard cubs are born with blue eyes, which change to yellow-green as they grow.
- Their spots are called “rosettes,” and each pattern is unique, just like human fingerprints.
- Cubs develop incredible climbing skills early, often seen scaling trees before they can even run properly.
- Mothers keep cubs hidden in dens or rocky outcrops for the first few weeks, moving them to different safe locations.
- Cubs stay with their mothers for approximately two years.
The Wonder of the Wild at Aquila Private Game Reserve
Africa’s baby fives reveal a side of these animals that is often overshadowed by their adult strength and dominance. At Aquila Private Game Reserve, conservation efforts ensure that these young animals can grow in a protected environment, giving guests the rare opportunity to witness their early milestones up close.
Whether it’s a baby elephant testing its trunk or a baby rhino playfully charging at small objects, every sighting is a reminder of the wild’s beauty, fragility, and resilience. Visiting Aquila means stepping into a world where nature’s greatest creatures begin their journey—one small step at a time.
Also read: The Story of the Big 5
Plan Your Safari Today
For a chance to witness Africa’s Big 5 from their first wobbly steps to their powerful adult forms, book a safari at Aquila Private Game Reserve. Every game drive offers a unique opportunity to see these extraordinary animals thriving in a 10 000 hectare reserve in the Klein Karoo. Plan your Safari and experience the magic of Africa’s wildlife only a 2 hours’ drive from Cape Town.
