Kikilezi FEMALE
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Kikilezi Female - Photographed by ranger Nic Proust
May 2008
WESTERN MALA MALA, MARTHLY
(1 sightings of the female alone, 0 sighting of the female and cubs,
0 sightings of cubs alone)
There was only one sighting of this female leopard over the report period, this is a drastic drop from the once frequently seen female leopard, and is a tribute to her territory continuing to shift northwards. She is still lactating, and there are signs on her where her cubs have been suckling. Hopefully there will be more sightings of this relaxed leopard in the near future.
Son of the Kikilezi female: (2 years 5 month)
This leopard was seen on three occasions, he is still very shy around the vechiles and moves into thick bush when found, he is looking to be in good condition and is doing a lot of moving around as he starts to look for open territory.
April 2008
KIKELEZI FEMALE 6 YEARS 6 MONTHS - 1 CUB 3 MONTHS
WESTERN MALA MALA, MARTHLY
(3 sightings of the female alone, 1 sighting of the female and cubs,
0 sightings of cubs alone)
The Kikelezi female has, over the past few months, been seen relatively infrequently. It was assumed that she had been moving her territory to the west to make room for her now independent son. However the true reason for her absence became clear toward the very end of this report period. She was seen on the eastern ramp of the Causeway with a small (approximately 3month old) cub. There can be no doubt that over the last few months she has been avoiding contact with other creatures, except for the purposes of hunting, in order to raise and protect this youngster. The road to adulthood is fraught with danger, but this lady is a good mother and has already raised one cub to independence. Let us hope this trend continues.
Son of the Kikilezi female: (2 years 3 month)
This young male, although now much more relaxed than he used to
be, is now much more infrequently seen. This is most probably due
to pressure from the Manyelethi male leopard that is spending more
time in the same area as was occupied by this young male. He was
seen only once this report period and that was on the old airstrip.
January 2008
KIKILEZI FEMALE * 6 YEARS 3 MONTHS
Location: WESTERN MALA MALA, MARTHLY
(3 sightings)
This leopard that is usually seen so frequently around the Kikilezi hash, old airstrip, Piccadilly and Mlowathi areas has only been seen three times this month. During this time she was seen mostly in the Mlowathi area some ways north of where her usual territory ends. It is very likely that she is looking to expand westward and make room for her now independent son. She has been known to spend a lot of time in the Marthly area. She was not seen on a kill this month but when she was seen she was looking in very good condition.
Son of the Kikilezi female: (2 years)
This nervous young male leopard continues to been seen a lot. This is probably due to the leopard using the vicinity of the MalaMala Main Camp, as one of its favourite areas. Unfortunately his nervous nature continues and rangers have been forced to keep sightings of this animal to one vehicle in an attempt to gain his trust. Hopefully with time he will relax as he grows into one of the dominant male leopards of MalaMala.
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