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Kapen Female Leopard - Photograph by ranger Andrew Batchelor

May 2008

NORTHERN CHARLESTON, SOUTHERN FLOCKFIELD
(10 sightings of female, 2 sightings of female and cubs, 1 sighting of cubs alone)

The Kapen female had an exciting start in the beginning of the report period, her cub was found with an adult male impala kill at the base of a tree, the cub did not show much interest to the vechiles and provided some great viewing of the little leopard, the next day lions had chased off the leopard and stolen the kill but rangers managed to track down the leopard and found the little cub again up a tree with no sign of the mother, the Kapen female moved into the area and called the cub down from the tree and let the cub suckle.

The Kapen female almost had lost the cub as Hyenas moved into the area and luckily the cub managed to climb a tree while the Kapen female led the Hyenas away from the cub. The female leopard was seen a number of times after but no other sights of her and the cub, she seems to be spending most of her time around the Kapen river and the Tamboti thickets, both places have great cover to stash her cub while she is out hunting and are well within the area of the Bicycle crossing male who we assume it the father of the cub.

April 2008

KAPEN FEMALE 14 YEARS 7 MONTHS

1 CUB 2 MONTH 3 WEEKS

NORTHERN CHARLESTON, SOUTHERN FLOCKFIELD
(2 sightings of female, 1 sightings of female and cubs, 0 sightings of cubs alone)

The Kapen female and her cub are doing very well. As the cub is still very young it is not surprising that she is so particularly secretive. It has also become apparent that where it was thought that she had two cubs, the subsequent sightings have confirmed that there is only one cub. The second cub almost certainly has been taken by Mother Nature. It seems that the Kapen female is destined to have only one cub at a time as her now independent son can attest to.

She is most often seen in the Kapen River system, south of the Styx crossing. This area is densely wooded and well guarded against other creatures as well as the elements. Most of her movements away from the cubs are during the day, when the cub is safely hidden. Her movement to and from the hiding spots are usually at night to help protect the youngsters whereabouts. Although an irascible leopard, she is a good mother and the young cub should get an excellent start to life in the big wide world.

Son of the Kapen female: (2 years 6 months)

This young male leopard was seen five times this month. three of the sightings were to the north of the Charleston/Flockfield boundary, in what is still part of his mothers territory. The other sightings were to the south of this boundary and into the area used by the Daughter of the Jakkalsdraai female. He is more relaxed around vehicles, but one can only wonder at the future of this young male as the Bicycle Crossing male is using this area more and more as part of his territory. Surely he will eventually by ousted by this bigger more mature leopard.

January 2008

KAPEN FEMALE         * 14 YEARS 4 MONTHS

Location: NORTHERN CHARLESTON, SOUTHERN FLOCKFIELD
(6 sightings)

his nervous female leopard was seen six times during the report period. It was noted that she is heavily lactating and it will be an exciting time for the rangers to try and find her cubs, presumably they are stashed within one of the many deep ravines along the Kapen River. Hopefully with time, the rangers will be able to gain this nervous leopard’s trust.

Son of the Kapen female: (2 years 7 months)

The son of the Kapen female was seen four times during the month all around the Charleston north crossing area. It is going to be interesting to see whether or not this leopard will been seen in the future, as his mother is heavily lactating and will no doubt chase him away. The question remains as to whether his will move east or west.