Despite the almost unrivalled leopard viewing that reserves like Londolozi enjoy, the fact remains that the vast majority of a leopard’s life takes place out of sight of human eyes.
If we do some simple maths on it, we’re probably looking at under 10% of a leopard’s week during which it is being watched, and more likely less. If an individual was viewed for 2 hours per game drive, twice a day, 7 days a week (which never happens), that amounts to about 17% of the week during which it is under scrutiny. In reality, no leopard is viewed that much. Not even close. The Nkoveni female, whose territory encompasses the Londolozi camps, by rights should be being viewed almost daily, but in fact only a few sightings of her take place each week. She may be anchored in one place for a couple of days by a kill, but after that we will sometimes go a good 72 hours before we see her again, as she disappears into the Sand River or one of her many drainage line haunts. The fact is that due to the high density of leopards across the reserve, the viewing is fairly evenly spread across the population.
When it comes to leopard cubs, we see them even less than the adults. Probably 95% of their young lives are spent with no Land Rovers anywhere near them, and with so much of their time being away from any human presence whatsoever, it’s no wonder that so much of their development is missed. Yet adolescence for a young leopard is a continual time of learning; muscle development, honing of instincts, and unknown and often unseen by us is much practice of the fundamental skill sets a leopard will need when it gets older.
The cub of the Nkoveni female lunges at a monkey carcass before the carcass falls to the ground.
The Nkoveni female was found with a monkey kill a few days ago, and as dusk set in on a cloudy evening, those who were there were treated to an incredible sighting in which her female cub repeatedly took the carcass up into a small Peltaphorum tree before dropping it again, playing with it on the ground, then taking it back up into the branches. A small kill like this would have been inconsequential in the greater scheme of things had a hyena run in and stolen it. Both leopards appeared well fed, and must have just moved off another kill, as the monkey had hardly been touched. The small size of the carcass provided a perfect opportunity for the young leopard to practice hoisting and manoeuvring a kill.
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.
Practicing exact placement of kills will be crucial to the cub in ensuring it avoids losing its kills as it gets older.
Many times we have seen cubs attempting to reposition larger kills in trees and have them fall to the ground (the kill); the cubs’ strength and experience just aren’t enough to properly handle the weight of a bushbuck or impala carcass. Should there be a hyena lying nearby – which there usually is – the kill will invariably be lost before the mother can rush in to re-hoist it, although she will sometimes manage to do this in time.
In this instance however, the Nkoveni female didn’t really stand to lose much, so gave free rein to her cub to practice. Although it looked like play (as it does with domestic cats), it is in fact a serious endeavour by the animals; practice for the real thing.
Over the next few months the cub will hopefully be kills of its own. The impala lambing season is almost upon us, so expect to see updates of the Nkoveni female’s cub honing her new-found hoisting skills on the bounty that will accompany the rains.
So interesting! Loved the video, I would have so enjoyed watching that in person! What looks like fun for the cub is such a valuable learning experience. Wonderful post!
Really enjoyed this short clip. Thanks James
What a fun video! Such determination! She clearly knows what to do but actually doing it is clearly a different story! Happy we got to see her effort!
Good blog. Seems young wild predators are similar to their domestic counterparts. Watch a kitten with a bird or mouse, not eating but rather employing the pounce, push and chase move. Always something to learn.
We girls used to watch our Moms cook and learn from the adults. Boys so often learn skills from their Father. It is a pattern in life. Also, as my Gran used to say to me – frequently – “Practice makes perfect, my girl!” when I was battling with a particularly difficult piece of homework or piano piece. So Young Fry Leopards also learn their skills. Lovely to see. Thank you, James!
Practice does make perfect. Loved the short video, James.
Leopards are just elusive cats. The silent predator to use a cliché. Lovely video.
I am so jealous! – what an amazing viewing that must have been. My ambition is to see a hoist – maybe on my 10th visit next September if I’m VERY lucky.
Good story and the video is awesome.
Such a special sighting!! Leopard cubs definitely go through a LOT of trial and error experiences before they have the strength and reflexes needed to get a kill into a tree.
What percentage of kills would you say are lost because cubs drop the carcass?
So cute! The first leopard sighting I ever had was of Nkoveni when she was a cub and with her mom Mashaba. So rooting for her with this cub.
Oh that was so adorable watching this youngster honing her climbing & stashing skills! She has a LOT to learn & mom had better give her some more lessons 🙂 Thanks James