Leopards of Sabi Sands

[Fredymrt]

Credits toWILDLIFE REPORT
SINGITA SABI SAND, SOUTH AFRICA
For the month of November, 2017

Temperature Rainfall Recorded Sunrise & Sunset
Average minimum: 18˚C (64˚F) For the month: 65 mm Sunrise: 04:59 Average maximum : 31˚C (88˚F) August 2017 to date: 113.4 mm Sunset: 18:17 Minimum recorded: 13˚C (55˚F) Maximum recorded: 38˚C (100˚F

Leopards:

The leopards have been moving around significantly. As the lions have been scarce, the leopards have been out to play! The Hlab’nkunzi female leopard continues to move in close quarters to Singita Ebony and Singita Boulders lodge, often leaving her young cub within the surrounding areas as she moves out to hunt. This month the young cub has reached his first year in the wild. The Schotia female leopard has been viewed along the river just west of the lodges which is an indicating factor that her territory has shifted since the loss of her female cub. This week there was a sighting of the Hukumuri female leopard that has shown signs of possibly having cubs, due to the very prominent suckle marks, which means exciting times ahead as the females continue to dominate the sightings in the area

The most elusive of cats Article by Iska Meyer-Wendecker

*This image is copyright of its original author

For the past 20 years Singita has been working with the Panthera Organisation, an institute that researches wild cat species all across the globe. Due to our high density of leopards and lions in the Sabi Sand we have been able to send Panthera a vast amount of data about our larger cat species (leopard, cheetah, and lions) over the years and we therefore proudly contribute towards a deeper awareness of the behaviour and survival needs of these animals.

During our winter months this year Panthera joined us at Singita in the Sabi Sand to conduct a more detailed research project, where over 40 motion-sensored cameras we installed across our property, with one of the aims to gain a better understanding of territorial boundaries of our leopards.

*This image is copyright of its original author

Over a timeframe of just over a month nearly 30 000 photos were taken of a vast number of different animal species, including a few that some of us guides had never seen with our own eyes (aardvark, pangolin, Meller’s mongoose, melanistic white-tailed mongoose to name a few).
But the most significant surprise of all was a handful of pictures taken in the north western part of our traversing area: a large mature male leopard was captured on camera on numerous occasions, without any of us having ever seen him. The consistency of pictures of him in the area means he clearly occupies a large territory here. He has undoubtedly figured out how to hide from our safari vehicles and despite his hefty size is a rather shy individual. Having worked in the Sabi Sand we sometimes forget how elusive these species can be: most of our individuals here are extraordinarily confident and relaxed and we can enjoy

prolonged and frequent sightings of them. But for the most part of the world where leopards exist the animals are well known for their secretive behaviour and talent to hide.
The results of these photos has brought back a kind of magic towards these animals and a deep desire to perhaps one day get a glimpse of this mysterious male leopard with my own eyes…

*This image is copyright of its original author

Photographs on location by Ross Couper and Joffers McColrmick Singita Ebony and Boulders Lodge
Sabi Sand South Africa Thirtieth of November 2017 Reply