Category: General
Herald Snake
With the rise in temperatures and the first set of rain, the Lowveld has transformed itself into a lush, green reserve.
Many small creatures have started becoming mobile again due to the summer weather. We recently found this little Herald or Red-lipped snake slithering around.
This was still a youngster reaching about 20cm in length. Their colours vary from greyish to olive/grey. The head is usually darker and white speckles may be seen along the body.
The name Red-lipped snake comes from the obvious red/orange upper lip. The name Herald came about when the Herald newspaper in the Eastern Cape announced the discovery of the snake.
They are considered to be more nocturnal and are often found around water bodies, feeding on oversized toads.
Our presence did not seem to deter the snake. It remained rather relaxed and posed beautifully for some photos. They are considered mildly venomous, but pose no threat to humans.
Mondzo’s Season
Mondzo Male Leopard has been away from his mother Xikavi for some time now and has been looking after himself extemely well. He is often found in the presence of either Khokovela or Basile female Leopards and at times even shares a meal with Dayone.
He was seen not too far from a kill that was hoisted into a tree with a hyena lurking nearby. Basile also joined him in the area – so he is still very comfortable in the area his mother raised him.
Approaching 3years now, it will be interesting to see where he moves to as the pressure is being increased by Ravenscourt, who is now venturing further into Dayone’s territory – which up until now has been the home of the young Mondzo male.
The season has started changing, with the bush still lush green after the rains, there is a wonderful chill in the air and the return of golden winter light. So to it will be an interesting season for Mondzo as he starts gaining more experience as an adult leopard.
Best Wishes for 2018
Spending time with a travelling herd of Elephant to start the new year of 2018.
Best wishes to everyone for 2018 from the Leopard Hills Family
Summer Colours
The summer rains have started arriving and the bush has turned into a beautiful bright green as everything has freshened up.
Wild Dogs take back their kill
One morning after tracking down and following the Mhangene pride for most of the morning, we heard that the pack of Wild Dogs had been found. We decided to head on over to the area where the dogs had started to settle down. Being late in the morning and already fairly hot we expected the pack to just be lazing around and mostly sleeping.
As we entered the sighting, the first thing we saw was a Hyena carrying an Impala carcass in its mouth with three of the Wild dogs following close by. There was however no sign of the rest of the pack. We followed them to a shady area where the Hyena decided to feast on his stolen spoils. Meanwhile the three dogs stayed close by just watching and hoping to get some back.
We could hear the rest of the pack calling in the distance, and with that one of the three dogs started running straight back to the rest of the pack while the other two remained. It wasn’t too long before we could see the pack return. With the pack in full force the Hyena realized that it was outnumbered and made a hasty retreat, leaving the Wild dogs to feed on their well earned meal.
Please enjoy the video below and remember to turn up your volume to hear the excitement of the pack.
Written by Hugo Breed
Mhangene pride feeding on a Giraffe
Over the last few weeks we have been fortunate to view the Mhangene pride in the Western Sector. It is amazing to watch this pride move as they consist of sixteen lions in total. Four females and twelve youngsters, of which nine are males. If they all break away together we could possibly see another strong coalition to rival the likes of the Mapogo.
During one of our sightings we watched as they competed against each other to get their helping of a juvenile Giraffe that they killed.
It is incredible to watch how these youngsters already have that competitive and survival spirit.
Enjoy the video below.
Thlangisa “The Playful One”
Thlangisa (The Playful One)
“Leopard cubs found” the words that brings joy and excitement to every ranger working in the Western sector.
This was the same joy we found in a little female leopard cub, we would later know as Thlangisa.
Born in April 2009 Thlangisa immediately demanded a soft spot in the heart of each person that saw her. She was from the start a very bold, active and adventures cub. She grew up as an extremely playful young leopard leading to her name Thlangisa meaning “the playful one” in the local language Shangaan.
At age 18 months she became independent and set up her territory just North of the Sand river in an area that was vacant at the time.
She gave birth to her first litter in April 2014, two female cubs that she raised to adulthood, proving to us that she is a good mother. We are still seeing both the females in our area as independent territorial and very relaxed adults now.
In November 2015, she gave birth to her second litter that she unfortunately lost rather quickly.
In the end of October 2016 Thlangisa gave birth to her third litter, two cubs who is currently just over three months old, sex still unknown, and looking healthy.
We are keeping our fingers crossed for Thlangisa to raise this litter to independence and handing down yet another generation of this amazing bloodline.
Kiara’s Leopard Image
Having discovered one of Kiara Rodgers photographs on her Face book page Kiara Rodgers Photography, Simon Stevenson, an amazingly talented artist from the UK, asked Kiara if he could use one of her photos, to sketch. You can follow the “work in progress” on the following link: http://www.abrushwithafrica.com/Work%20in%20progress
You can also follow some of Simon’s other amazing creations on his Facebook Page (Wildlife Art) A Brush With Africa.
http://www.abrushwithafrica.com/shop/leopards/kiaras_leopard
Xikavi & Mondzo
There is always a sense of huge privilege watching a Mother Leopard & her offspring interact, as she lets you witness those special moments.
Spending time with Xhikavi and her (now nearing adulthood) Male Cub, who has been named Mondzo ( Mondzo is the Shangaan name for a Leadwood Tree ), you realise the time is nearing for him to move away from his Mother and start fending for himself. The two Leopards are still spending time together and the meals that Xhikavi are providing her cub are now diminishing quickly, as he is becoming an adult leopard.
Experience Leopard Hills
A brief look through the Window into our World, at this incredible place we are privileged to call home.
Enjoy the Journey…
View from the Lower Pool Deck
As we enter into the dry Winter Months, we are seeing more and more animal activity at the waterhole in-front of the Lodge. Regular sightings of Elephant, Buffalo and even the occasional Leopard, stopping by to quench their thirst.
