December 2009
DUDLEY FEMALE 11 YEARS 3 MONTHS
1 MALE CUB 5 MONTHS
WESTERN FLOCKFIELD
(0 sightings of female alone, 1 sighting of female with cub, 0 sighting of cub alone)
There was one unconfirmed sighting of this female and her young cub, they were spotted moving along Skukuza road around midday towards the beginning of the month. The cub is growing quickly and is very relaxed in front of vehicles. The mother was scent marking as they went; this area was the territory of the Ngoboswan female but since she has vacated the land is up for grabs. The leading candidate to take over is the Dudley female but lets see what happens.
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November 2009
DUDLEY FEMALE 11 YEARS 1 MONTH
1 CUB 4 MONTHS
WESTERN FLOCKFIELD
(0 sightings of female alone, 0 sighting of female with cub, 0 sighting of cub alone)
This female leopard was not seen during the month.
October 2009
11 YEARS
1 CUB 3 MONTHS
WESTERN FLOCKFIELD
(0 sightings of female alone, 0 sighting of female with cub, 0 sighting of cub alone)
This female leopard was not seen during the month.
September 2009
10 YEARS 10 MONTHS
1 CUB 2 MONTHS
WESTERN FLOCKFIELD
(3 sightings of female alone, 2 sighting of female with cub, 0 sighting of cub alone)
This leopard has been very scarce over the last month; this is understandable as she has a new cub. She was first seen with her cub in the west and now she has moved her cub east, finally ending up on Mala Mala near to Rattrays camp, the Dudley female was seen carrying her new cub across the river from Rattrays deck into the Tamboti Thicket area, and then a few days later we got our first good view of the tiny cub when they were found with the remains of bushbuck. Once the meal was finished the female led her cub back to the river and its den site, hopefully in the future we will get to see it more often as it grows up.
August 2009
10 YEARS 10 MONTHS
WESTERN FLOCKFIELD
(1 sightings)
The opposite fortunes for this female compared to the Kapen female, she was only seen once but when she was found she was heavily lactating. Fantastic news but with very little of her territory on Mala Mala it might be a long time before we get a glimpse of the new cubs. Exciting times lay ahead for this female.
July 2009
10 YEARS 9 MONTHS
WESTERN FLOCKFIELD
(2 sightings)
There was some exciting news at the end of the month when this female was found lactating. Lets hope she has given birth and that the cubs are still alive. With her territory largely off Mala Mala its unlikely we will see the cubs for some time but its exciting news to know that there are some news cubs around.
June 2009
10 YEARS 8 MONTHS
WESTERN FLOCKFIELD
(1 sightings)
There was only one sighting of this female during the month; she was found in the middle of a family dispute. The Ngoboswan female her daughter and the bicycle-crossing male were all found close to Rattrays camp. As the three leopards argued of space the Dudley female was seen slipping through the reeds trying to escape the fracas. She looked in great condition and was well fed. With the Ngoboswan female starting to age expect this female to start competing for her territory.
May 2009
10 YEARS 7 MONTHS
WESTERN FLOCKFIELD
(0 sightings)
There were no sightings of this female during the month.
March 2009
10 YEARS 5 MONTHS
WESTERN FLOCKFIELD
(1 sightings)
There was only one sighting of this female during the month. She was found moving along Campbell road in the late evening by a ranger coming back from the south. She looked in good condition and was out hunting, unfortunately she was on Dudley property and when she moved off the road rangers had to leave the sighting.
February 2009
10 YEARS 4 MONTHS
WESTERN FLOCKFIELD
(1 sightings)
One very interesting sighting of this female was had at the end of the report period. The Ngoboswan female and cub were found outside Rattrays camp full bellied but agitated. The Ngoboswan female was seen going into some thick bush and shortly afterwards aggressive growling was heard from that direction. The Ngoboswan female came out with an almost intact impala lamb and moved it south of the road. Once settled she went back on the offensive but no other animal could be found. Then a leopard appeared from behind the Ngoboswan female and it was the Dudley female, she had been in the area but with the long grass had remained hidden. The two adults growled towards each other but no other interaction was seen. The next morning the Dudley female had gone and in her place her son was found at the kill sight.
January 2008
10 YEARS 3 MONTHS
WESTERN FLOCKFIELD
(0 sightings)
There have been no sightings of this leopard during this report period.
