December 2009
ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE UNKNOWN AGE
1 MALE CUB 12 MONTHS
TOULON
(2 Sightings of female alone; 4 sighting of female and cub; 2 sighting of cub alone)
This pair had a strong month with them being seen on more occasion than any other month. The female is starting to move with the cub back into her old territory on central Toulon. The cub is growing quickly and has become very relaxed in the presence of vehicles. He is now a year old and so his chances of survival are very good and increasing every day, lets hope he can make it, as it would be a great testament to his mother to produce to successful litters in a row.
November 2009
ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE UNKNOWN AGE
1 MALE CUB
TOULON
(2 Sightings of female alone; 3 sighting of female and cub; 2 sighting of cub alone)
She still remains close to the river between flat rocks and rocky crossing, a stretch of the river that is inaccessible in many places and this would account for her low sightings. The cub is growing at a tremendous rate and is very relaxed in front of vehicles but still lacks exposure to the vehicles. During the month the female had a run in with the Tjellahanga male over an impala kill but thankfully he is the father of the cub and so it wasn’t in any danger, the pair lost the kill but lived to fight another day. Hopefully this female will continue to raise cubs successfully on Mala Mala adding to our already large leopard family.
October 2009
ROLLERCOASTER FEMALE UNKNOWN AGE
1 MALE CUB
TOULON
(4 Sightings of female alone; 2 sighting of female and cub; 3 sighting of cub alone)
She was seen more this month than in the recent past but she continues to keep her cub along the sand river between rocky crossing and flat rocks, a part of the river inaccessible to vehicles. On the occasion she brought her cub out it was relaxed with the vehicles and both played happily before entering the river once again. There were a few run-ins with the Tjellahanga male during the month but since he is the father they all ended well some meat was confiscated but neither mother nor son were injured.
September 2009
UNKNOWN AGE
1 CUB
TOULON
(3 Sightings of female alone; 2 sighting of female and cub; 3 sighting of cub alone)
This leopard continues to dominate Toulon and seldom ventures north of the river. She seems to actively avoid confrontation with the Jakkalsdraai female, her only real neighbour and competitor. She has not been seen often, but what has been seen tells us that she is healthy and fit. Her territory does extend south into the KNP and it is not sure how much of her territory is in the KNP. Her cub has also been seen this month and just like its mother seems to be doing well and looks very healthy.
August 2009
UNKNOWN AGE
1 CUB
TOULON
(4 Sightings of female alone; 1 sighting of female and cub; 2 sighting of cub alone)
Still seen infrequently she sticks to the sand river around rocky crossing and croc loop. Her little cub made a few appearances this month and seems to have relaxed down in the presence of vehicles, which is fantastic, as it will surely become one of the next generations of leopards that grace the bush around Mala Mala.
July 2009
TOULON
(6 Sightings of female alone; 0 sighting of female and cub; 1 sighting of cub alone)
The Rollercoaster female made a welcome come back this month with her being seen a lot more often than usual. Her young cub was seen only once but it looks to be fit and healthy with mom doing a good job hiding along the sand river between rocky crossing and KK crossing.
June 2009
TOULON
(2 Sightings of female alone; 2 sighting of female and cub; 0 sighting of cub alone)
There were two poor sightings of this female suckling her cub. Unfortunately it does look as if the second cub has died, the female was then seen twice on her own hunting on the southern bank of the sand river, neither time was she successful but by the look of the growing cub it must be getting enough nutrients from mom.
May 2009
TOULON
(1 Sightings of female alone; 0 sighting of female and cub; 0 sighting of cub alone)
Only seen once during the report period she has kept her cubs hidden since first showing them off two months ago. Flash sightings of cubs have been seen around rocky crossing and these are more than likely from her cub but all were to quick to get an ID.
March 2008
TOULON -
(2 Sightings of female; 1 sighting of female and cubs; 0 sighting of cubs alone)
Exciting and unexpected news this month, the rollercoaster female was not seen at all last month and now we know why. She has cubs, two to be exact, somewhere around six weeks old. She looks to have them denned at the sycamore fig near rocky crossing. They are still very young to be viewed and so vehicles are strictly limited in the area. This also goes to show that the Tjellahanga male really is productive and doesn’t shoot blanks as many rangers started to believe.
Febuary 2008
TOULON -
(0 Sightings)
There were no sightings of this female during the month.
January 2008
TOULON -
(1 Sightings)
This leopard was only seen once during this report period and only for a very brief anount of time before disappearing into the Sand River.
