It was in the heart of the Mashaba female leopard’s territory that the Marthly male leopard and the Tutlwa female leopard were mating. As dusk set in the mating pair of leopards disappeared into the darkness whilst a short distance away the Mashaba female and her cub fed on an impala. Early the next morning, tracks of the mating pair were found heading towards the previous position of the Mashaba female. As the Marthly Male took a break from mating and opportunistically stalked a nearby herd of impala, the Tutlwa female caught a glimpse of her younger half sister, the Mashaba female, watching from a thicket.
An enigmatic female not often encountered, this leopard lives to the north of the Sand River.
The Mashaba Female
The Mashaba female is currently Londolozi’s best-known leopard. Her relaxed nature means she is comfortable around the vehicles.
At first there was a brief silence as the two leopards sized each other up, and then the Tutlwa female started trotting towards the Mashaba female. Within seconds the air was charged with tension as the rival half sisters prepared for battle.
Once the fight was over and the Mashaba female had rolled onto her back as an act of submission towards the Tutlwa female, the Marthly male walked up to the submissive female and growled as if to warn her not to follow them as they moved off.
Although the Tutlwa female was in Mashaba’s territory, it is doubtful that she was looking to expand her already sizeable and coveted territory. Our speculation is that the Tutlwa female had continued mating with the Marthly male into Mashaba’s territory under the guise of his protection. After the spat, the mating pair disappeared leaving the Mashaba female to relocate her hidden cub and hoisted kill from the previous evening.
The Mashaba Female and her cub watch from the long grass
What do you think of this altercation between the two leopards who are both daughters, from separate litters, of the Vomba Female and Camp Pan male?
Filmed by John Varty and Mike Sutherland
Photographs by: Bennet Mathonsi
Amazing stuff. Glad all are ok. Well filmed and thanks for sharing.
Do females with cubs become less aggressive in a fight (assuming the cub is not being threatened) because they know their cubs depend on them?
Leslie,
Leopards in general try and avoid being injured in a fight, as they are solitary animals and any injury can be detrimental to their hunting ability and ultimately their survival. Females with cubs are generally more aggressive towards other leopards as they are being protective over their cubs. In this instance it seems as though Tutlwa moves off before Mashaba gets more aggressive with her. I hope this helps!
Kate
EPIC footage!
I can’t believe that lightning ball of fury they form at about 0:21 in.
Well done guys!!
Jamo
Amazing action!! The suddeness & speed with which they entangled themselves made me gasp! Exciting to see!
If they are both from vomba/camp pan, doesn’t that make them full sisters? They both have the same parents.
Hi Todd, although they have the same parents they are from different litters and thus half sisters. If they were born in the same litter, then they would be full sisters. Hope that explanations helps. rich
I thought half sisters were when they shared only one parent. If they share the same parents they are just sisters. They are just not litter mates. If they were to be genetically tested they would be considered full sisters. Like most human siblings they don’t share a uterus, but they share the same genetics. Being siblings is about the gentics they share, not about being littermates. Just my two cents. Lol. Awesome blog.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! Fascinating to the umpth degree!!!
Kind of a random question, but what long did it took you to prepare
this? Keep up the great job!!