This is a blog that could have been written a few months ago. The Nottens female leopard was last seen in November and you would have to be an outrageous optimist to suggest that she is still alive. At 18 years old, Nottens was proverbially as old as the hills, but like her mother the 3:4 female, she graced the green pastures of Londolozi and skipped all the hazards of being a leopard better than just about any other leopard I can remember.
The first cub of the legendary 3:4 female, the Nottens female grew to be the oldest recorded leopard on Londolozi (18yrs)
Death is normally a private affair for a leopard. We don’t know where or how she died but she was last seen in poor condition trying to raid a kill from the Camp Pan Male. She was gaunt and in desperate need of a meal but as is the way of the leopard he unceremoniously dumped her out of the tree and after that last attempt I believe she probably went off to die somewhere hidden. It’s a subtle reminder that in the wild it’s a no mercy but no malice affair and her subsequent disappearance is testament to the fact that we are only allowed into their lives for fleeting moments and not all of their significant ones.
Nottens surrounded by autumn’s rusty browns and oranges.
It was a privilege to see the Nottens female.
Nottens was hard to find and often impossible to follow. Those special moments were privileged and after a morning or evening with her I would often think that we had just taken a ‘proper’ game drive – because to be with Nottens you had to drive far and search intently, often forgoing the opportunity to sit and watch general game in order to keep on her trail.
Nottens was hard to find and often impossible to follow.
Her territory was down in the southern reaches of Londolozi but as she grew older and her territory shrank and was then taken, she took to venturing much further North – up to the Mxabene and Tugwaan drainages: places she knew well as a cub in the care of her mother.
Like all of the mother leopard descendants she was big and pale with dark alluring eyes. I enjoyed watching her as a simple reminder of the rich heritage that the mother leopard left us and whilst there are new lineages and families to keep track of, hers was one that most guides at Londolozi have always been in awe of.
At 18 years old, Nottens was proverbially as old as the hills.
Like all of the mother leopard descendants she was big and pale with dark alluring eyes
She’s missed as much as any of the great cats that have been documented here over four decades. She had success as a young mother and on those great afternoons when we get far enough away from camp there is always the chance of seeing the Piva Female and some of those great Mother Leopard / Tugwaan Female / 3:4 Female / Nottens Female genetics.
Maybe the universe does hold a special place for all of us after death: I sure hope there are marula trees there…
One of the beautifully captured moments of the Nottens female looking directly at the camera.
Looking to the heavens. The Nottens female will be missed by many.
Elegant in the long green grass. The Nottens female presented us with special moments like this.
“She graced the green pastures of Londolozi and skipped all the hazards of being a leopard better than just about any other leopard I can remember” – Tom Imrie.
Watch this phenomenal footage of the Nottens female and Camp Pan male mating:
HI TOM,
THANK YOU FOR THE TRIBUTE TO THE NOTTENS FEMALE.
I WAS PRIVELEDGED TO VIEW HER ON MANY OCCASSIONS WITH BYRON AND JUDAS, AND WE ALWAYS MARVELLED AT HER BEAUTY.
HER DISTINCT PALE COLOURING AND HER DARK EYES LURED YOU INTO HER MYSTERIOUS WORLD.
THESE ARE SOME VERY NICE PHOTOGRAPHS OF HER, AND THANKS FOR SHARING THESE ALSO.
IT WAS A REAL PRIVELEDGE TO HAVE SHARED SOME WONDERFUL TIMES VIEWING HER.
MAY SHE ENJOY THE SHADE OF THE MARULA TREES IN HEAVEN!
KIND REGARDS,
TED.
beautifully written Tom.
a truly honorable, noble and beautiful tribute to a great lady…glorious photographs of her…the respect this leopard commanded and the delight her presence gave to so many will long be remembered.
thank you
Tom, your tribute is very moving. With each image I viewed, I could only sit and contemplate in silence. Her beauty and grace have been beautifully captured here. May she find an abundance of marula trees……..
Thank you for a beautifully written tribute, Tom. Our first leopard we saw at Londo…
Beautiful tribute to an amazing leopard. Thanks for sharing. Sad.
Well-written and an honorable tribute, Tom. Looking forward to reading more of your work!
She will never be forgotten. Her beauty survives in her offspring.
Beautiful animal….beautiful story.
Beautiful.thank you
Those of us who briefly shared her world were indeed privileged.
Some of the most moving photos I’ve seen from the Londolozi leopards. Thank you.
Thank you as well. Saw her in September walking down the road. At that point every move seemed “painful”, but she plodded on. Wish I could have seen her in her prime; but not to be. I do miss Londolozi GR; an incredible place.
Thank you for your tribute to the Nottens Female.. She will be sorely missed.. But the smiles she gave us will be forever in our hearts.. And we will continue to see her in the legacy she has left.. The genes of Mother Leopard are strong and live on!
A beautiful life. Thank you for sharing this tribute and photos.
Thank you Tom for such a moving tribute to a very beautiful Leopard. How lucky we all were to have her with us on this Earth, even for this short moment in time, and how much she will be missed. These beautiful animals touch your heart and soul and break your heart when they are gone. Surely there must be a very special place in heaven for them with lots of Marula trees.
Vomba and now Nottens – such beauties. How lucky we’ve been to see them…always remembered.
What a lovely tribute to a wonderful animal.She will be missed but will always be remembered by all the visitors and people following the Londolozi bloggs.
She lived a noble life in the MOST beautiful place and raised some fine offspring…a life well lived. Well done and God speed Madame Nottens!!! Till we all meet again!
Thank you for sharing the pictures with us, Tom, and her life with us, Londolozi!
Thank you for her Tribute. Such a beautiful animal she was, we hate to see them depart from our lives.
Thank you Tom, that’s a beautiful tribute to a magnificent Lady Leopard with her pale colouring. Long may her genes be enjoyed in the Londolozi GR & blogs for us <3 Your pictures & video are stunning
A fitting tribute to such a beautiful and hardy leopard! Any idea what happened to her surviving daughter from the June 2006 litter. Could she be the leopard known as the Calabash female others leopard with the stained iris?
RIP beautiful lady and thanks for the memories.
Tom has a talent for describing how Nottens was a unique Londolozi leopard.
The photos and video are a fitting tribute to this beautiful “old lady.”
RIP Nottens!
Thanks!
Beautiful piece, thanks for the memories. It’s so wonderful that Londolozi keeps track of these beautiful leopards, it’s so interesting to see their offspring and know what they’re up to. When I visited Londolozi last year, I had the privilege to see the Camp Pan male. Nottens was mentioned in our vehicle at how elusive she was. Thanks for the update. What a privilege to be around these wonderful cats.
What a beautiful tribute for this great Lady! Thank you, Tom!
Great tribute well said Tom
what an amazing old girl. she was spotted on the reserve next to you in December looking in good condition (Shaws female). SHe has contributed her wonderful genes to the long legacy of Leopards of Londolozi.
Always appreciate when you guys take the time to honor/tribute any of the amazing Leopards and or Lions we all enjoy Thanks
I just saw a posting on the Sabi Sands Leopards FB page. and it shows Nottens Female. Did she indeed return after you wrote this wonderful memorial? That would make her 20 next month!
Hi MJ,
If only that were true! The leopard we refer to as the Piva female (daughter of Nottens), is referred to as the Nottens female by Sabi Sabi Game Reserve, which could have caused the confusion. She is still alive and well and occasionally seen in our southern sections. I believe they spell her name with and “i”, rather than an “e” though.
Hope that helps.