Leopards of Sabi Sands

[Fredymrt]

WILDLIFE REPORT SINGITA SABI SAND, SOUTH AFRICA For the month of October, 2017

Temperature Rainfall Recorded Sunrise & Sunset Average minimum: 18˚C (64˚F) For the month: 22.4 mm Sunrise: 05:40 Average maximum : 31˚C (88˚F) From Aug 2017 to date: 48.4 mm Sunset: 17:55 Minimum recorded: 12˚C (54˚F) Maximum recorded: 41˚C (106˚F)

The October month welcomes the green, the grass, the leaves and flowers as they all start to bud after the first rain received. The smell in the air is incredible - the fresh clean, invigorating freshness of pure wilderness! The early mornings are starting earlier, with the greatest benefit of watching the sun rising on the horizon. It has to be one the best ways to start your day.

Leopards:
It was harrowing to watch the Schotia female leopard constantly calling out for her cub. At the end of last month the young female cub was killed by the Mhangene pride. Without any indication of finding the remains, the mother returned to the area where the last scent of her offspring was the strongest. A week after the incident, we watched her hoist an impala carcass and return back to the site, still uncertain of the cub’s whereabouts. Within a few days of that sighting, the female was mating with the Nyelethi male for several days. We are hoping that in the next three months we can report some good news. A few new leopards have made an appearance this month in our sightings. The Khokovela female was also viewed mating with the Nyelethi male within a very short time of him finishing his session with the Schotia female. This presents a clear indication that the young female leopard is looking to establish herself within an already leopard-rich area, as we have viewed her on a few occasions this month, even as she scouted around the lodges one afternoon.

*This image is copyright of its original author

The Schotia female leopard has been extremely active. With the recent loss of her female cub, the female leopard has mourned for several weeks. The good news is that recently she has been viewed mating on several occasions with the Nyelethi male leopard.

Leopard conflict Article by Renain Venter
On a recent afternoon game drive we suddenly stumbled upon a male leopard with a seductive female that seemed keen on mating with him. Trying everything she could to entice him to mate, it almost seemed as if there was something in the air drawing this male’s attention so far away that the female almost seemed non-existent to him. With the most “in your face” advertisement it seemed as if he was not at all interested in her, but instead the lingering scent… While following the curious scent, female in tow, we remembered that another female leopard (Hlabankunzi female) and her cub had made a bushbuck kill about half a mile away. It must be this scent that he was interested in (the food, not the female). Anticipating this, we decided to go ahead of the pair towards the two leopards feeding on the carcass. We noticed the courting female was marking her territory with some spray urination and some ground scraping; it almost seemed like a direct challenge towards the Hlabankunzi female.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Amid all the confusion and sudden interactions, the male leopard stole the kill for himself from the Hlabankunzi female and her cub (which is his offspring).

The female that decided to mark her territory very close to the Hlabankunzi female had moved off and was lying in the grass watching the commotion. Out of a little shrub popped the head of the Hlabankunzi female who had just had her kill stolen by the male. She walked over to where the other female had marked her territory and marked directly over it. Now it seemed as if things were getting serious. Never having seen this sort of conflict I didn’t understand how this would turn out. Drooling, both females started scraping the ground and hissing at one another.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Squaring off, they tensely both started walking parallel to each other in a direction away from the male and the kill. The gap between them was getting smaller and smaller, almost as if they were trying to size each other up from a sideways perspective. Closing in, suddenly the slow walk turns into a jog and in split seconds both female leopards are in the air, claws latched onto one another and making the most horrific noises you could imagine! I never thought that these animals could punish each other like that!

*This image is copyright of its original author

It was merely seconds and both were back on their feet and it seemed as if the hierarchy had been established very quickly. One leopard sitting and one standing, this must be the outcome. When an animal is submissive they will lower themselves from their opponent and this seemed to diffuse the situation. Both females walked off in opposite directions. There was still a dust lingering in the air and it seemed as if everything was back to normal. It was scary to think such conflict is sorted out in seconds and everyone continues their lives with their new scars and memories.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

This sort of conflict doesn’t occur often at all. Both animals are still alive and doing well, the territory sizes and boundaries have just been adjusted.

Photographs on location by Ross Couper and Renain Venter Singita Ebony and Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand South Africa October 2017 Reply