A gust whipped dust up into the air which swirled around the Land Rover as we made haste for camp. “Looks like rain,” said the guests in the row behind me. It was evening time and we were about to experience our first summer deluge. The clouds were gathering causing the daylight to fade prematurely. It was going to be a black night.
Driving through the windy darkness the spotlight lit up the eyes of some uneasy looking impala. They were gathered in a clearing as they usually do in the evening. The clearing they hoped would provide them with relative safety for what was going to be a long night.
The wind gathered strength as darkness fell. Then, suddenly it stopped. All was quiet. Slowly at first, and then with weight, the rain came down. The first drops on my roof waking me up in my warm, sheltered room. I thought of the impala in the clearing.
Moonlit nights provide the impala with a better chance of spotting danger. However, even during a full moon, heavy cloud cover can turn the nights pitch black.
The wind, rain and darkness had turned it into a prefect night for leopards to hunt.
Heading out on drive the next morning things felt different. A feeling of novelty or change was in the air. The land looked clean, washed by the rain. There were lingering clouds but the rain had stopped.
That morning ten impala were to be found hoisted into trees by leopards. Some leopards had killed more than once.
The Mashaba female had hoisted one impala, her daughter the Mashaba young female, three! The Tamboti and Nkoveni females both made two kills and the Inyathini and Flat Rock males one each. These were only the ones that were found. Who knows how many others were killed and were either not found or were robbed before they could be hoisted out of reach of hyenas.
A leopard hoists its meal out of reach of other predators like hyenas and lions who are unable to climb as well as leopards. Having the ability to hoist like this means that leopards will be able to stash their carcasses and thus feed on them slowly over a few days.
The Tamboti, Mashaba and Nkoveni females all have cubs at the moment and having more mouths to feed and benefited the most from the favourable hunting conditions.
The Mashaba young female was particularly successful, hoisting three separate kills. Leopards will instinctively kill more than once if the opportunity presents itself and stash prey up in a tree. It’s impressive to see this young two-and-a-half year old leopard already proving herself to be such a successful hunter. Once hoisted high in a Leadwood tree her prey was safe from all other predator species, except her own. In the days that followed two female leopards – the Tatowa and Tamboti females – found her stash and she was forced to share. This is a story that Amy Attenborough will share in a separate blog coming soon.
The Mashaba young female with one of her three kills. The other two kills were stashed in two other trees in the vicinity.
The Mashaba female is currently Londolozi’s best-known leopard. Her relaxed nature means she is comfortable around the vehicles.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
It is interesting to note that all ten kills made were impala. It is the most abundant antelope species here but are also optimal prey for leopards. This is because they are large, providing food for a few days but still small enough to make the hunt safe and is manageable in terms of hoisting.
A dominant male leopard over the majority of the north. He originally took over the 4:4 Male's territory when he died.
Another leopard who originated in the Kruger National Park, he has established a large territory in the south eastern areas of Londolozi.
The Tamboti female inhabited the south-eastern sections of Londolozi, having a large part of her territory along the Maxabene Riverbed.
A gorgeous female who is found to the east of camp. Easily recognised by her 2:2 spot pattern she is often to be found in Marula trees.
Although the impala have to endure these treacherous nights, the onset of the rains brings life for the coming season. Next month the impala will start dropping their young all at once, keeping the beautiful balance of nature intact.
Rob it sounds like a suspence thriller. Great writing. Wonderful to see the Mashaba young female doing so well. Viewed her when she was 10 months old.
Wow! That was quite a game drive after the rain. Only leopards are mentioned-were lions lucky as well? I always find it fascinating that after killing their prey, they have the jaw strength to then hoist it up a tree. Truly a remarkable animal.
With so many young leopard mouths to feed, it is wonderful to learn of successful hunts like these! Thank you for sharing, Rob.
Wow how amazing is that that they killed so many, but good! Now they will have food to feed growing hungry cubs & themselves! I am so glad that you have had the rain as it does make such a difference to the bush – I saw that with our first rain at home, everything is so clean! Thank you Rob your pictures are wonderful! Have a great Sunday & week ahead 🙂
Great article, Rob. Hayden and I won’t soon forget our amazing Londolozi adventure with you as our guide. We are already biding our time until we can return.
Glad to hear that your rains have begun…
Impressive start Rob.Your pictures are fantastic.Keep up the Good work.