The Nottens female was a long way out of her territory. One of the oldest remaining descendants of the 3:4 female, she had moved north towards the Sand River in a desperate attempt to mate. Her years were like ripples on the river, gently flowing away, melting into the currents before they would be sucked and dissolved back into the stream of life. Her most recent set of cubs had not survived and as an aging leopard she was yearning for a litter once more. A last set of cubs to continue her legacy, before she became too old, her timing too late and her ripples faded back into the stream.
The first cub of the legendary 3:4 female, the Nottens female grew to be the oldest recorded leopard on Londolozi (18yrs)
The King of Londolozi in his day; an enormous male whose offspring still inhabit the reserve.
The Camp Pan male was unaware of her presence until she started calling. Perched amidst a shrouded termite mound, he arrogantly watched her approach until he felt she was close enough to growl at, greet and then mate with. Leopards are never careless unless they are desperate and for the Nottens female, her callous parade left no doubt as to her hopeful intentions.
As I watched the pair in the shade, the metaphor lay stretched out together with them. At first hard to see, then glaringly obvious. Whereas the potential of new life, procreation and the natural order might have been the common perception, I saw little else but an aging leopard longing only to fulfill her instinctive purpose in this wild land. Despite her age, she had to mate. Not for gratification, company or leisure, but because it was a means to an end. She had to mate so that she would attempt motherhood again. This was her purpose…
So where does that leave us and, more importantly, where does it leave the Nottens female leopard? On the one hand there is the inevitable progression of growing old and on the other there is the fulfillment of life’s purpose. Somewhere, stuck deep in the middle, lies the Nottens female: Aged, scarred and longing, yet secure in the knowledge that just because she grows old does not mean that she will ever stop trying to fulfill her purpose. And though her ripples will fade with the current, they will most certainly give life to something far greater downstream.
Great to see the lineage trying to expand again. She has time for another litter or two, nice shot of an the old “Tom” in the background.
My wife, Susan, and I are so looking forward to being a part of Londolozi when we visit with our stay at Varty Camp this week!!!
Hi Dean,
Really looking forward to having you to stay at Varty Camp. With a bit of luck you will be able to see both the Camp Pan male and the Nottens female leopard in the flesh. When do you arrive?
Hi Rich,
Do you know whether the female cub from Notten’s 2006 litter survived, is she still viewed? Also, has she had any cubs since (you mention her last litter didn’t make it)?
Thanks