Crossing into the northern parts of the reserve, Marthly, is always exciting; it is a large piece of land with a low density of roads. There is something mystical about it and so when you find something in the north, it is often that much more rewarding.
As we crossed through the Sand River, we received an update from ranger Nick Tennick that he had found the Xinzele Female leopard with a fresh impala kill that she had just hoisted up into a marula tree. We were eager to get there and see what was to unfold.
The Xinzele Female rests on a large branch after feeding.
A small female often found in NW Marthly. Similar spot pattern to her mother the Ingrid Dam Female.
Upon arriving, we could see her draped over a large marula tree branch. Her claws were firmly affixed to her quarry. She was still in the process of catching her breath from not only hoisting the carcass into the tree but probably also the actual hunt too. This was very exciting, as we knew that she would, at some point during the morning, go and fetch her cub. With the prospect of this being high, we decided to skip breakfast and stay with her until she did exactly that.
The Xinzele Female begins to feed on an Impala she managed to catch and hoist in a Marula Tree. She started with the tail!
After she had fed a small amount and had a chance to rest, she decided to stash the carcass higher in the tree, where it was more secure and concealed while she would be away. She descended and started off on a long walk north. Making it clear that she was on her way towards the cub. Our excitement levels were high.
After about an hour, she was approaching the northern boundary of Marthly. It was a very hot day, and it was well past midmorning by now. She needed to rest regularly so that she would not overheat and expend unnecessary energy. During the heat of the day, when most other predators aren’t active, is the safest time for her to go and collect the cub without gaining any unwanted attention. Our excitement started to dwindle somewhat as we had lost view of her for a while, very near the northern boundary. After quite some time, we spotted her again, but she was well clear of our boundary. We were excited and hopeful that we would see the initial reunion of mother and cub, but the chances of this were fading fast.
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Fortunately, she settled up on a road underneath a large silver cluster-leaf tree. We could see her clearly, despite her being out of our reach. We watched her for about five minutes more and then decided we were going to return in the afternoon. Just as we were packing up to leave, she got up and gave out a loud, deep rasp – “She’s calling the cub!”, Tracker Terrence and I said at the same time. Seconds later, a small leopard came flying out of the bushes and leapt right across the road onto its mother! We could not believe our luck! Mother and cub together!
Tracker Terrence and I were lost for words. For whatever reason (it might just be fate), this cub has evaded me for almost an entire year. The last time we saw her was in May last year, when she was about half the size of a domestic house cat. She was born into a litter of two, and sadly, her sibling did not make it. It was so incredibly special for Tracker Terrence and me to see them together again after all this time. We finally found ourselves in the right place at the right time.
This was the first time I saw this cub and the first photograph I had ever taken of her.
To the second time ever seeing her, now walking down the road towards me. I could not believe my eyes at how much this young female has grown and turned into a magnificent-looking leopard.
Born into a litter of two, male cub did not survive. She is seen more and more in central Marthly and rapidly approaching full independence.
I found myself lost in thought for a few moments, looking into this young leopard’s eyes. Pondering about the many trials and tribulations that filled the spaces between my last sighting with her. So much happens in the lives of these elusive cats that we never see. We are incredibly privileged to view these snippets of their story.
It is incredible to see how much she has grown and how beautiful this young female leopard has become. This was the second time I saw her, almost a year later.
For the most part, however, for a young mother, the Xinzele Female is doing incredibly well in raising her cub. Both of them are looking very healthy and have recently been starting to spend a little more time on Marthly than they have in the past year. This incredible sighting we had of mother and cub was only one of the many precious natural events that occur almost daily on Londolozi, whether one is there to bear witness to them or not.
What a beautiful leopard!
So exciting for you, Matt! We hope to see her too when we’re there next month. Her mom was pregnant with her during our visit last year, so spotting her will be a first for us.
Nice reporting Matt on the sighting of the Xinzele female with her kill and ultimately the reunion of mother and daughter as you followed her. I last saw Xinzele two years ago and so when the radio announced she had been sighted with a kill, but alone, we decided to drive to Marthly in the afternoon in the hopes of seeing the two together. We were rewarded as the two of them arrived at the Marula tree just as we drove in – what an incredible sight to watch the two of them climb the tree, Xinzele’s daughter racing up to the kill. That afternoon was truly magical!!
And what a beautiful leopard she is indeed!
I have goosebumps! Videos and pictures are breathtaking. The Picture of the Year this young female, she’s so incredibly beautiful with her emerald green eyes and exquisite coat and face. How calm and confident she was towards you, even if she saw you after a year… the pure magic of those animals who once were revered as gods (for example in Etruria)
Hi Matt! Have not heard or seen much of the Mashaba leopardess? She was for a long time the most seen…has she moved off? Thanks in advance, Linda
Incredibly fortuitous sighting Matt! I love the way you set this post up – very suspenseful and I felt as if I was right there with you guys as you followed Xinzele female from her perch with her kill in the Marula tree, along the way north, and finally the payoff with the reunion with her cub. Just beautiful!!
She is so beautiful! The intensity in her eyes is intriguing. Great photos and video. 👏🏾🙏🏿
Sooooooo happy to know that Xinzele’s little one is still alive and well! And now thinking about this…..is there any possibility that this cub could be Hosana’s??? That would be extremely exciting news!!
Matt, what a wonderful sighting for you and Terrence! I’ve never seen Xinzele….maybe I’ll get lucky when I come back in November.
Beautiful and very unique looking leopards! You don’t have the usual ‘stat box’ for the Xinzele female…she looks older with her ears…do we know how old she is?
Matt she is a beautiful leopardess. She is not often sighted and I am so glad you took foto’s of here. Happy to know her cub is with her and hope to see more of them both.
Wow, this is really exciting. She is indeed an extremely beautiful young female leopard.
Wonderful that her mother has been able to raise her and looked after her so well.
I hope that we will hear about her more often and that she might stay on Londolozi’s grounds more often.
Matt, great patience for you and Terrence. Lovely pictures of the cub and the Xinzele female.
What a lovely reunion. Glad to see they are both doing well and looking beautiful as ever!
Fabulous to read! Can’t wait until I return and am able to witness beautiful events like this for myself!