We’ve written quite a bit recently about how the Nhlanguleni female’s cubs are the first intact litter in seven years to make it to independence on Londolozi. And while this is more than enough reason for us to be thrilled, and toast this success story with a beer, the adult female herself is – I’m sure – completely unaware of her achievement, and is continuing with her natural processes.
Initially skittish she spent a lot of time in the Sand River, now relaxed she makes up the majority of leopard viewing west of camp.
One of these is falling back into an oestrus cycle – or at least the leopard version of one – and she was recently found mating with the Flat Rock male in the Sand River.
A dominant male leopard over the majority of the north. He originally took over the 4:4 Male's territory when he died.
The Flat Rock male (front) walks away from the main river channel, followed closely by the Nhlanguleni female. Thick reedbeds offer the leopards an excellent area for mating in which they are less likely to be discovered and disturbed.
Ranger Guy Brunskill reports:
“It was late afternoon, and we had tracked the leopards a long way from where they had been seen in the morning. After following for about two hours as the tracks criss-crossed the Sand River, we eventually heard bushbuck alarming towards the southern river bank; a sure sign that there was a predator close by.
Tracker Shadrack Mkhabela was on foot and I was scouting ahead in the Land Rover. Shadrack had a fleeting glimpse of one of the leopards through the thickets, so radioed me to try and get in with the Land Rover. After again switching off the vehicle and hearing them mating, we pinpointed their position and eventually accessed a spot where we could get a lovely view of the pair on the sand in a dry channel. They mated about four or five times right in front of us.”
The size difference between the Flat Rock male (right) and Nhlanguleni female is very evident in this photo.
Leopards mating is characterised by a lot of snarling and growling, and regularly involves the female lashing out at the male immediately after copulating.
The Nhlanguleni female is recognisable by her very pink nose, and slightly droopy hooded eyes.
There is no guarantee that this mating bout will result in cubs. Ironically, it was the Flat Rock male who killed the Nhlanguleni female’s first litter a couple of years ago, when he was new to the area. Now that he is the dominant male along the Sand River and beyond, he is one of the first males to mate with the local females when they come into oestrus, and it is likely that a number of young leopards in the area are bearers of his genes…
Great experience. I do hope there will be new cubs.
That Flat Rock boy does get around! On my recent visit we saw him several days in a row, kilometers from where he’d been seen just the evening before. Clever leopard females clearly recognize good genetic material.
James, what a wonderful story!
Flat Rock mates with Nhlanguleni female.
A once in a lifetime experience for some very lucky guests
Good reporting….. and hopefully there will be some little cubs to view come end of March.
Drink a beer for us James…good report and good photography
Will do!
There is a remarkable difference in the sizes of the male and female leopards in this pics. I suppose this would be the same for any mating pair. Why DO the females almost attack their mates when finishing copulation, James?
Really love the low-level perspective on these pictures. Wish there was a way to get closer to ground level at times!
Given the state of male dynamics on Londolozi, will the Nhlanguleni Female mate with the others as well, or is her territory not in a part of Londolozi that is affected (not sure of where her territory lies)?
Amazing sighting!! Where are the Nhlanguleni Female’s last litter now?