Although male and female leopards are not directly competing for territory, they both play an integral part in each other’s success. Males seek to secure a territory with access to animals in which to hunt and feed on as well as females to mate with and in turn pass on their genes. Female leopards are also very territorial and are continuously looking to expand or sometimes shift their current territories for a few different reasons. The availability of food is important, but higher on the priority list is the availability of suitable den-sites in order to give birth to their cubs and keep them safe for the first few months of their lives. In a previous blog, we had a closer look at the male leopard territories, which seem to have changed a bit already. Within this blog, we will focus on Female territories, with the understanding that they are most likely going to shift and change too.
A Leopard and her cub playing. Mother Leopards playing with their offspring is a very important process in ensuring the cubs have the right characteristics and physical abilities to become independent one day. By playing, the cubs will learn the importance of strength, agility and balance.
Females’ territories and the upbringing of their cubs are hugely affected by the dominant male dynamics. If unstable, the likelihood of the female’s cubs surviving is very slim, as the biggest threats to young leopard cubs are other leopards. A dominant male with a stronghold over a territory will keep rivals out and chase off young nomadic males. With female leopards having much smaller territories, their density is higher, having a few different females all encompassed by one male’s territory.
The first leopard we will look at is Londolozi’s oldest and most successful female leopard, the Mashaba Female. She has seen her territory shift quite considerably in the last two years. Up until early 2019, the Mashaba Female laid claim to the areas surrounding the Londolozi Camps and along the Sand River. As of late, she has shifted very far south towards our southern boundary.
The Mashaba female scans the area from a termite mound. We are still unsure as to where her territory lies as she is seen in so many parts of the reserve, which is somewhat exciting as you never know where you might find her next.
The Mashaba female is currently Londolozi’s best-known leopard. Her relaxed nature means she is comfortable around the vehicles.
We presume that this could be a result of being put under pressure by her most recent offspring the Ximungwe Female (born 2015). The Ximungwe Female has occupied the central parts of the reserve and is currently raising a young male cub.
Leopards in trees are always a spectacular sight. Here, the Ximungwe Female takes a moment to rest and scan her surroundings from the vantage point of a dead Leadwood tree.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
To the east of our camps, we see a large overlap in the territory between the Plaque Rock Female (born 2018) and her mother the Nkoveni Female (born 2012).
A pretty young playful female found along the river to the east of camp
In inheriting a portion of her mother’s territory, Plaque Rock Female is found a bit closer to camp and as a result, we have seen the Nkoveni Female shift a little further east, but still providing us with some unbelievable game viewing with her two current 12-month-old cubs.
A mother Leopard and her two very playful cubs scan the horizon as they stare at a breeding herd and rhinos in the distance.
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.
The western parts of our camps still see the dominant Nhlanguleni Female holding territory. She has been fairly scarce over the previous months, where she was believed to be raising one cub, but sadly we have our suspicions that this cub did not survive.
In search of any prey, the Nhlanguleni female walks through the new bright green shoots of grass.
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.
Her latest independent offspring, the Nkuwa Female has inherited the northern part of her mother’s territory and is seen in the northern parts of the reserve.
The striking bright pink nose of the Nkuwa Female.
One of two sisters born to the Nhlanguleni Female, both of whom made it to independence, the first intact litter to do so in 7 years.
The Xinzele Female stares westwards into the setting sun.
A small female often found in NW Marthly. Similar spot pattern to her mother the Ingrid Dam Female.
Another two dominant females in the northern sector of Londolozi are the Xinzele Female and Piccadilly Female. We very seldomly see the Makomsava Female, she has shifted her territory further north.
The Piccadilly Female and her cub have been spending a lot of time in the Manyelethi River in the northeastern parts of the reserve. We had an incredible sighting of both of them as they walked down the dry river bed and rested up on top of a granite boulder.
This female is most often encountered near the Sand River to the east of the Londolozi camps.
The Piccadilly Female also raising an older female cub has made a home in the northeastern parts of the reserve, it’s going to become interesting to see what part of her mother’s territory the Piccadilly Young Female will inherit. The Xinzele Female has become the dominant female over the central northern parts of Londolozi, keeping away all encroaching female leopards, so far.
From a comfortable perch in a large Jackalberry tree, the Picadilly Female’s cub stares down at us below.
Young inquisitive beautiful female, bordering on independence as of November 2021
As we venture down into the southern parts of the reserve, in the east we are able to find the Three Rivers Female, who is part of the Sunsetbend lineage and that is clear in her golden coat. She has secured a territory that was left vacant a few years ago when the Tamboti Female was killed. Currently, the Three Rivers Female is raising a young male cub who is about six months old and doing incredibly well with this being her first litter.
Being left to fend for herself at a very young age when her mother died, the Three Rivers Female has become an incredibly proficient hunter and mother.
Forced into early independence as her mother was killed by the Southern Avoca Males.
To the south of the Three Rivers Female, we find the Ndzandzeni Female, the last standing female of the Original Mother leopard lineage. We also sadly believe that she has lost the two cubs she was raising. They have not been seen for quite some time now. She is ageing now and hopes of her raising one last litter to pass on the Mother leopard lineage are dwindling, but not completely lost.
This female is a success story all in herself, being born as a single cub to the Riverbank 3:3 female in early 2012.
The Ntsumi Female, a new female that we are seeing in the deep south has started putting pressure on the Ndzandzeni Female from the south. Born in the Sabi Sabi camps by her mother, the Little Bush Female in 2016. She was dominant over central Shaws property but as of late she has shifted north.
This female was born in the Sabi Sabi camps and became territorial in central Shaws, after inheriting a piece of her mother's territory.
The southwestern grasslands have been lying vacant for a while. Originally occupied by the Totowa Female, who was last seen in about July 2020 so sadly we presume she has died. In the last few months, we have had a handful of sightings of a new female in the area known as the Ndzutini Female. She was born to the north of Londolozi in 2018, her mother is the Tiyani Female, and her presumed Father is the Hukumuri Male. She was seen mating with the Tortoise Pan Male in September 2021 and so if successful in falling pregnant and she remains in the southwest, she could bear her first litter of cubs on Londolozi.
Young independent female that settled in the south west grasslands of the reserve.
All in all, the territories of both male and female leopards are very exciting and interesting. The truth is that none of the theories and assumptions can be guaranteed to be a hundred percent true. These wild predators live in a world of their own, which is adjusting on a day-to-day basis. What we can say for sure is that each day we get to view these changes in dynamics we can count ourselves extremely privileged.
Thanks Dan for this update. It will indeed be interesting to track the shifting lives of theses leopards.
Thanks for the very interesting description of the different female leopards’ territories.
Fantastic blog on these wonderful queens! They are all special but it’s always a treat to read about the Mashaba female, and of course , each of them going on and raising cubs to independence. Thank you!
Thanks Francesca. You’re right, its very special!
Thank you so much for the update Dan, I’ve been waiting for this – it’s really nice to see their territories on a map. When I came in November, on my last game drive on 21st we joined Dean in a sighting of an unknown female leopard in a tree down in the SW. As soon as I saw the photo of Nzuthini I recognised her! – I’ve recently been editing very similar ones at home.
Hi Suzanne. We are all very excited to be seeing a “new” female leopard in that area, it’s been relatively vacant for the past year or so from a female leopard point of view. Thanks for the comment.
Hi Dan, all these female leopards are so beautiful and special in their own environment. I have a soft spot for the Mashaba female as she is the oldest female. I then love watching the Ximungwe female and her male cub playing. Then the Ndzanzeni female who carries the last lineage of the original female. So many females have cubs and have to be so careful that the male leopards do not kill them. I really feel sorry for the females with cubs, because that is an extra worry for her to protect her cubs.
You’re right Valmai, it’s a tough job raising a cub. Just illustrates what amazing animals Leopards are.
We also hope the Ndzandzeni Female bears one more litter to extend the Mother leopard lineage.
Hi Vin. We’re hoping so too.
Hi Dan. You say 6 is a little old for raising another litter. But is that really too old already?
All of these females are gorgeous! And of course, it gives me great pleasure that I have seen 6 of these girls in person! Absolutely wonderful to see all doing well.
Dan, Thanks for this update. First and foremost, it is incredible that there are so many Leopards in residence on the Londolozi reserve! It is a testament to the environment that the Varty family and other Sabi properties have created. We are always interested in how the names are chosen. Who get’s to choose?
Hi Micheal and Terri. The names are usually chosen by the ranger and tracker teams. We come together once a leopard has reached independence and decide on a suitable name. The name is then passed on to an organisation called Panthera who then approve it.
Great article, Dan! Looking forward to see them all in April!
We are looking forward to having you, Mary.
Dan, this was the perfect follow up to the male leopards of Londolozi posted a while ago. Even more exciting for me is that I’ve seen the majority of these females during my last trip there as well as Ntsumi in the property south of you. I believe Ntsumi’s female cub has reached independence now, or soon so it will be interesting to see where she ends up. Know that your photos and blogs about Londolozi’s leopard population is much appreciated and although we shouldn’t become attached to wild animals, it’s difficult not to whilst hearing the various stories. Thank you!
Hi Denise. Thank you for your comment. Indeed it will be very interesting where the young female of Nstumi ends up. We hope she doesn’t go too far.
Great post – I need to keep it as a reference! One question, what happened to the Finfoot Female? Wasn’t she the sister of the Nkuwa Female? I remember the two were successfully raised to independence. Has she just moved off Londolozi in one direction or another?
Hi Holly. The Finfoot female moved into the southern parts of the Sabi Sand. I believe one of the reasons was her slightly bigger sister (the Nkuwa Female) filled the territory she found herself in.
Thanks for the interesting post. Is it known if the Tamboti Female’s last cub survived? I have some lovely photos of them together and have always wondered.
Wow such a distant day from when we were fortunate to see one leopard in aweek. The process you have all evolved for habituating young leopards (and truthfully all the wild animals there) to the sights and sounds of us has yielded a treasure trove of photographic opportunities rarely found elsewhere. And then to track and document their genealogy is fascinating. We are the benefactors of your diligence and the pictures we take and share with our families and friends are testaments to your success. Thank you all!
I absolutely LOVE this mini-series on the leopards of Londolozi!!
Wonderful to have a clear map of all the female leopards territories and although they will continue to change, I hope that I will get to see at least one of the Londo female leopards in time. It must be almost 40years since I saw my last leopard on Londolozi and that was rather unique then, as there were so few that were comfortable with vehicles or even on the property in those days. Do hope that Ndzandzeni has one last chance of bringing up a cub to continue the lineage 🙏🏻💗
Thanks for this survey if the female leopards Dan, and the including the map is super helpful as a reference about their territories. I really love how concluded they blog with the understanding that these amazing female leopards live in worlds if their own!!
So sorry to read that Totowa female is presumed deceased. Such a beauty. We visited in August of 2019 and have some great pictures of her…