| ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Archives : 2004 - 2006 | 2007 | 2008 December 2006 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: TOULON The Rollercoaster Female was initially seen around Elephant Alley, moving hastily eastwards. There were drag marks in the area, but rangers were not able to locate a kill. Later in the month, the female and her cub were seen moving northwards along the western bank of The Sand River, close to Lion Crossing. Both leopards soon ascended a tree, and went to sleep. It is encouraging to see that the cub of The Rollercoaster Female appears very relaxed in the presence of vehicles. Towards the end of the report period, the Rollercoaster Female was seen moving westwards along the western parts of Elephant Alley, not far from KK Crossing. It appears that her territory has shifted from the western bank of the Sand River around Calabash Crossing, to the southern bank of the Sand River, in the vicinity of Elephant Alley. November 2006 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: TOULON The Rollercoaster Female was only seen three times during the game report period. The highlight occurred late in November, when the Rollercoaster Female was seen to stalk, catch and strangle an adult female bushbuck on the southern bank of the Sand River close to Island Crossing. The female leopard then hoisted the bushbuck into a nearby tree. She descended the tree and moved away to the south, calling frequently. About half-an-hour later she re-appeared with her cub, and they fed on the bushbuck. Little is known about the cub, but it seems to be healthy, and reasonably relaxed in the presence of vehicles. October 2006 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: TOULON Sightings of the Rollercoaster Female were centred around the southern bank of the Sand River between Rocky Crossing and KK Crossing in October. The month started off with her having a confrontation with the Jakkalsdraai Female on what must be considered the boundary between these two leopards. The leopards growled at each other before going their separate ways. The next day the leopard was found with an adult male impala kill, a very impressive feat for this relatively small leopard. The following day the young cub was present at the kill and the two leopards fed at intervals. However the following day the Chellahanga Male made an appearance at the kill sight, but left after briefly inspecting the two leopards. He must surely be the father of the cub, as he showed no aggression towards the young leopard. However the sad news at month end was of the Rollercoaster Female mating over a four-day period with the Chellahanga Male. This is bad news, as this might mean that she has lost her cub. Occasionally leopards have a false oestrus, but this normally only lasts a day or two and the frequency of the mating is not nearly as high. Just what happened to her cub is not known, but it is hoped that the mating is successful and that more cubs can be expected in January. September 2006 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: TOULON The exciting news concerning the leopard population in the south of the reserve was that of the Rollercoaster Female being seen with a small cub in September. The leopards were seen together with a bushbuck kill on the southern bank of the Sand River close to KK Crossing. The other sighting was of her a few days later on the northern bank but in the same area. It seems highly possible that she has stashed whatever cub she has in the thick reeds in this area. August 2006 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: TOULON (5 sightings) The Rollercoaster Female seems to definitely have shifted her territory eastwards, and all sightings of her were in and around Rocky Crossing. One sighting had her pass under a tree where the Chellahanga Male was feeding on a bushbuck carcass. The male leopard growled at the female, which simply looked up and then walked away. Other than that sightings of this small female leopard were of her alone, patrolling territory and looking for food. July 2006 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: TOULON (6 sightings) The Rollercoaster Female had a good month in July in the south of the reserve. As with last month she was seen far east of were she usually spends her time, and could well be expanding her territory eastwards. This small leopard could also very well have mated with the Chellahanga Male and should any cubs be born they would be much safer if they resided in the core of his territory. One memorable sighting was of the leopard with an adult female bushbuck kill in a large tree on the western bank of the Sand River near Boomers Crossing. The bushbuck carcass was at least twice the size of the Rollercoaster Female, who is a small leopard, and she must have had to summon all of her strength to hoist it into the tree. In any case the leopard fed on the kill without disturbance over the next couple of days and provided some excellent viewing. June 2006 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: TOULON (3 sightings) The Rollercoaster Female was seen on three occasions close to Rocky Crossing. This is somewhat unusual for a leopard whose core territory used to be somewhat west of this position. Is she seeking out the Chellahanga Male as a potential mate? May 2006 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: TOULON (2 sightings) The two sightings of the Rollercoaster Female indicated that she is well and is providing some fine viewing when seen. Initially slightly wary of vehicles, she is becoming more habituated through careful viewing and should continue to provide some fine viewing in the years ahead. April 2006 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: TOULON (1 sightings) There was nothing significant to report with this beautiful young female leopard this month, being seen just once in April. She was very well fed when found and is obviously holding her own on Toulon. March 2006 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: TOULON (4 sightings) There was nothing exciting to report about this beautiful female leopard, and she seems to be steadily consolidating her position on central-western Toulon . February 2006 Location: TOULON (6 sightings) Mainly seen throughout central Toulon where on one occasion she had an encounter with one of the nomadic young male lions (baldy). This lion sniffed out her hiding place where she had cached an adult female impala kill and promptly chased her into a tree, claiming an easy meal for himself. January 2006 Location: TOULON Two of the three sightings of this leopard included her mating with the Chellahanga Male. December 2005 Although only seen on three occasions in December, the Rollercoaster Female seems to be extending her range and will in all likelihood soon seek to raise her first litter of cubs. Indications are that she favours the Chellahanga Male as a likely suitor and this could greatly influence her movements in terms of territory. November 2005 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Only seen on one occasion, she was mating with the Chellahanga male. October 2005 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE The Rollercoaster Female was again seen to seek the attentions of the Chellahanga Male leopard in October and the two were seen together twice. No mating activity was witnessed, however. The first time that the Chellahanga Male was seen with the Rollercoaster Female was at the site of a bushbuck kill. The Rollercoaster Female had been seen with this kill the previous day and the male had obviously subsequently discovered it. Late in the month the Rollercoaster Male was seen near Island Crossing, scent marking vigorously and roaring. She has certainly gained a great deal of confidence in the last year or so. September 2005 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE The Rollercoaster Female has become a very relaxed and viewable leopard. She was seen to be flirting with the Chellahanga Male on a couple of occasions, but no mating was witnessed, partly because the Hlarulini Male was also present! Her territory seems to overlap the apparent boundary between the territories of these two males. If she does mate with one of them, and give birth, it would obviously be in her interests to keep her cubs well within the territory of their father, rather than that of his rival! August 2005 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE The Rollercoaster Female was seen twice in August. She is a small, but pretty female leopard, and has now become acceptably relaxed in the presence of Land Rovers. On one occasion, she was seen very close to the Chellahanga Male, who might well have stolen one of her kills. July 2005 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE The Rollercoaster Female leopard was not positively seen in July. ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE The Rollercoaster Female was only positively identified on one occasion in June, when she was seen on southern Toulon, west of the Sand River. May 2005 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Again, there was just one confirmed sighting of the Rollercoaster Female in May, and this sighting was a little further south than where she had previously been expected to be found. April 2005 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Although there was only one confirmed sighting of the little Rollercoaster Female leopard, several sightings of unidentified female leopards were recorded in the area thought to be her territory. Some of these sightings could easily have been of her. March 2005 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: WESTERN TOULON Although there were no confirmed sightings of the Rollercoaster Female in March, there were a number of sightings of unidentified female leopards on Toulon and south-western Charleston. Some of these sightings could well have been of the Rollercoaster Female. February 2005 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: WESTERN TOULON Although there were only two confirmed sightings of the Rollercoaster Female, a couple of sightings of unidentified leopards on Toulon may have been of her. Not yet fully relaxed in the presence of vehicles, the Rollercoaster Female showed definite signs of hostility when she was feeding on a bushbuck kill. It is very important to take heed of warning signs, and not to venture too close to dangerous animals that are showing any signs of aggression. January 2005 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: WESTERN TOULON The four sightings of the Rollercoaster Female leopard in January did not yield anything dramatic, and she seems to be quietly gaining confidence and growing in stature. December 2004 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: WESTERN TOULON There were just two sightings of the little Rollercoaster Female leopard in December, both of them being very close to Kirkman’s Kamp on Toulon. Although still quite elusive, she does provide some good viewing. November 2004 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: WESTERN TOULON (4 sightings) October 2004 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: WESTERN TOULON, SOUTH-WESTERN CHARLESTON (3
sightings) September 2004 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE LEOPARD Location: WESTERN TOULON, SOUTH-WESTERN CHARLESTON (3 sightings) Nothing dramatic to report as far as the Rollercoaster Female is concerned. She was only seen on 3 occasions, and on one of these occasions she encountered the Hlarulini Male. She followed this male leopard for some distance. August 2004 ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE Location: WESTERN TOULON, SOUTH-WESTERN CHARLESTON (6 sightings) A fairly shy young female leopard has been regularly seen on south-western Charleston and north-western Toulon, and has now been named the Rollercoaster Female. When viewed cautiously and with only a single vehicle present, this leopard has provided some fine viewing. Given the correct, respectful approach, she is very likely to settle down and accommodate more vehicles.MalaMala
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