JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE
| JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE
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| December 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE *
6 YEARS 1 MONTH The sightings of these leopards in the last month suggested that the Jakkalsdraai female was beginning to push the cubs away. These cubs are now almost 2 years old which is the normal age for the cubs to start becoming more independent. The cubs were not seen together either, which also suggested that they are becoming independent of each other and taking on the solitary lifestyle indicative of this species of cat. Individual sightings of the cubs did include them trying their hand at hunting and although not seen to be successful, it would appear as though their mother has taught them well as the stalking skills displayed by them seemed to mirror their mothers. This is a crucial time for these young leopards and it is hoped that they will do well for themselves. November 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE *
6 YEARS The Jakkalsdraai Female and her daughters continued to deliver some fine viewing in November. The Jakkalsdraai Female is a good hunter and provider, but it seems that the bonds between her and at least one of her daughters are weakening. This is quite understandable, as the “teenage” female leopards are, by now, quite able to look after themselves. It is also interesting to note that the two youngsters were not seen together at all in November. Once good companions and playmates, as they approach independence, they will also be less inclined to seek each other’s company and the time will soon come when they are rivals. The Jakkalsdraai Female has done an excellent job in raising her first litter of cubs apparently sired by the Hlarulini Male. October 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE * 5 YEARS 11 MONTHS
The Jakkalsdraai Female and more particularly her daughters, were not seen nearly as frequently in October as they had been in September. It will be remembered that in September there had been as many as 18 days when one or both cubs had been seen separate from their mother. At the beginning of October the Jakkalsdraai Female shared a duiker kill with one of her daughters on central Charleston . Just after the middle of the month she and both daughters were seen feeding on an impala kill between the Kapen River and Mamba Water Hole, on Flockfield. September 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE *
5 YEARS 10 MONTHS The Jakkalsdraai Female leopard seems to be spending less and less time with her two daughters, but she is still tolerant of them, and probably does still share the odd kill with them. Apart from the time when the Jakkalsdraai Female and one of her daughters were found in the vicinity of the Kapen Female and a bushbuck carcass, all other sightings of the Jakkalsdraai Female were of her alone, and she was active in all cases. Her daughters have provided outstanding leopard viewing, and for much of September, one could be almost assured of finding one or both of these young female leopards on southern Flockfield or northern Charleston , east of the Sand River . The youngsters are definitely capable of looking after themselves now, although they would probably enjoy the luxury of living within mother’s territory for another six months or so, and benefiting from her kills. August 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE *
5 YEARS 9 MONTHS The Jakkalsdraai Female and her daughters once again provided some fine leopard viewing during August. They were seen on a few different kills, and all three of them were also seen hunting individually. One of the daughters once had a duiker kill in a tree, only to have it stolen by some male lions. Young leopards learn many lessons in their adolescence, and this was certainly not the first time that she had encountered lions at close quarters. The two daughters were fairly frequently seen together, and provided some entertaining viewing with their boisterous play. Independence could come very soon for these two young female leopards, or they could still be looked after by their mother for another 10 months or so. Whatever the case, they are able to look after themselves, but will face many challenges in the months ahead. Leopard density is high in this area, so it will not be easy to quickly establish territories in prime areas. July 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE *
5 YEARS 8 MONTHS All seems to be going very well indeed for the Jakkalsdraai Female and her two daughters. This is her first litter of cubs, as far as we know, and she has done a good job of raising them to an age at which they should be quite capable of looking after themselves, if anything happened to her. The youngsters have been seen to spend a good amount of time together recently, but also have been seen quite far apart. These leopards were only seen on one kill in July, that being a duiker. One can only wonder how many leopard kills are never discovered by the occupants of game drive vehicles! June 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE *
5 YEARS 7 MONTHS Although they were not seen as frequently as in some recent months, all still seems to be going well for the Jakkalsdraai Female and her two fast-growing daughters. It will be interesting to see how long the cubs stay with their mother, and whether the speculation that they will be “out on their own” at a younger age than is average at Mala Mala, turns out to be accurate. May 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE * 5 YEARS 6 MONTHS April 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE *
5 YEARS 5 MONTHS The two daughters of the Jakkalsdraai Female are fast becoming independent characters, and have provided some entertaining viewing, whether together or on their own. The Jakkalsdraai Female was only seen three times in April, but all appears to be well with her. She did, however, have a relatively narrow escape, when a male lion suddenly appeared out of nowhere and chased her up a tree at noon one day. This probably gave her a big fright, but such is the life of a leopard. March 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE *
5 YEARS 4 MONTHS Location: SOUTHERN FLOCKFIELD, CHARLESTON As has sometimes been the case in the past, the Jakkalsdraai
Female spent a good deal of time away from her cubs in March. There
were some good sightings of the female with her cubs (both of which
appear to be females), including one sighting of all three leopards
together on an impala kill. The numerous sightings of the cubs in the
absence of their mother, took place mainly on southern Flockfield. Quite
often, the two cubs would be seen separately, but not far apart. Occasionally
they would come together and play hunting games, but for the most part,
each youngster was content to be on its own. This is not unusual, as
leopards are essentially solitary creatures, and even young leopards
often prefer to be alone. One of the cubs, after unsuccessfully stalking
a kudu, killed a dwarf mongoose. Hardly a substantial meal! February 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE *
5 YEARS 3 MONTHS Location: SOUTHERN FLOCKFIELD, CENTRAL & WESTERN
CHARLESTON/ NW TOULON (east & north of the Sand River)
Once again, the Jakkalsdraai Female and her two daughters provided some excellent viewing in February. The cubs are becoming increasingly relaxed, although one is still a little more nervous than the other. On one occasion, the three leopards were followed until they came across an impala carcass (the mother had gone to fetch her cubs and lead them to this kill). Interestingly, the Jakkalsdraai Female seems rather reluctant to hoist her kills into trees, and more often than not, when she and her cubs are seen on a kill, it is on the ground in long grass at the base of a tree or in a thicket. She probably loses more of her kills to hyenas than is typically the case. A kill dragged under a bush on the ground is less likely to be spotted by vultures or eagles, certainly, but could be found by lions or hyenas. Anyway, the Jakkalsdraai Female knows what she is doing, and seems to be doing a good job of being a mother! January 2005 JAKKALSDRAAI FEMALE *
5 YEARS 2 MONTHS Location: SOUTHERN FLOCKFIELD, CENTRAL & WESTERN
CHARLESTON/ NW TOULON (east & north of the Sand River)
The Jakkalsdraai Female leopard and her cubs provided some excellent viewing in January, and the cubs are becoming more and more relaxed. There was a worrying time, when the cubs were left on their own for 4 days, and nobody saw the Jakkalsdraai Female, but then she returned in style, killing a male impala in front of a couple of Land Rovers. She dragged this impala to the base of a tree, and left it there. She then went off in search of her cubs. By next morning, the Jakkalsdraai Female and her cubs were back in the area of the kill, but most of the kill had been eaten by hyenas. The leopards were all able to eat their fill, however, and even the Hlarulini Male leopard managed to find something worthwhile among the scraps. It was quite endearing to see how tolerant he was of the cubs. Not surprising, as he is almost certainly their father.
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