The Nottens female leopard had hoisted the impala into the upper echelons of the Marula tree. It was so typical, so predictable, yet so effective for her purposes. Tried and tested methods worked the best when down below scavengers were already arriving on the scene. These hungry animals were completely willing to pilfer from her in the desperate hope of a free meal.
Born 1995 to legendary 3:4 Female. Record holder as Londolozi's oldest leopard at 18 years, embodying the resilience of her royal lineage.
I felt a smile flicker across my lips as I realised this leopard was no longer inexperienced. She had lost her prey to thieving scavengers before and felt the empty taste of hunger. She had hurt from the painful bite of conflict and faced the haunting presence of fear. The episodes and seasons of her life had taught her well and she had grown wiser.
Now sitting on her throne, high above the prowling hyenas who fought and scrapped below, the full circle is drawing closer. The former territory of her mother, 3:4, she occupies. It is a prime hunting ground of small drainage lines, rocky outcrops and large trees in which to stash the abundant prey. In it, her predilections for impala can easily be satiated and the plentiful water provides respite in the currently ensuing summer heat. She will continue to live and continue to grow. In turn we shall continue to observe and continue to take heed of the same lessons this animal experiences.
Great to see Nottens is settling in.
We saw her loose many kills to hyaena’s so she will hoist when possible. Years ago she seemed to favour kudu, too large to hoist. She killed fully grown adult female kudu as well as many sub adults. Enjoy her, hopefully there are cubs on the way.
She was seen mating a few weeks back so we are hoping in anticipation that she will give birth to cubs in the next few months. Saw her on drive this morning hunting squirrels and marking her territory to the east.