A couple of months ago a new young male leopard moved into our area from the East. According to our neighbours the young feline is the son of a female known as the Xidulu Female.
The young leopard is extremely relaxed with our presence and we have seen the leopard on quite a few occasions. Yesterday morning the male walked straight into camp, but unlike our regular visitors like the Hlaba Nkunzi female and the Tekwaan male he wasn‘t too sure about the new surroundings.
On our afternoon safari yesterday afternoon we had a great sighing of the Hlaba Nkunzi female leopard and her 2 approximately 4 month old cubs feeding of an impala carcass. My first thought as I approached the sighting was that the new male, which was seen close by, poses a serious threat to the cubs as he will kill them to ensure that the female goes back into oestrous and he can mate with her.
This morning Raymond returned to the sighting and on arrival he saw the new male leopard at the kill. One of the cubs was sitting very high in a Marula tree and a second was nowhere to be seen. Hlaba Nkunzi was on the ground snarling continuously at the intruder until he moved out of sight.
Raymond returned a little while ago from the sighting and confirmed that both mom and the 2 cubs were seen together lying in a Marula Tree. We hope that she will be able to protect her cubs and that they will grow up to adulthood.
We need to get a message to the Tegwaan male that there is an intruder in his territory, he will sort this young insurgent out.
I haven’t seen or heard any news of Tegwaan since early March. Is he still around? Is he still the dominant male in the area? It seems surprising that this young male is openly presenting himself around the centre of Tegwaan’s territory. Can Marius et al advise of Tegwaan’s status?
Thanks so much for your work and keeping us up to date.
SD
Is Marius back at Leopard Hills .. last time I read that he will work as a professional photographer. Since our visit to Leopard Hills in October 2009, when we enjoyed his guidance, we observe his work.
Regards to the whole team
Jutta
Hi Sepp and Juta thanks for your reply. Sepp, Tekwaan is still the dominant male but his territory is getting bigger and he is spending the most of his time in the North. Jutta I am only leaving on the 14th of July to start specialist photographic guiding on safari.
Well, drat! That means u will be gone when we arrive in LH in August. Best of luck to you!
Sure hope we see Hlaba Nkunzie and her cubs when we arrive!
Joy, Camarillo CA