Fellow ranger Kirst Joscelyne recently released a blog shedding light on some terrible news, that unfortunately the Plaque Rock Female was killed by the Ntsevu Pride and Ndzhenga Males. Unfortunately, as sad as it is it’s the reality out here and these things do happen.
The Plaque Rock Female in a dead leadwood. Adding the cherry on top to one of the best afternoons I’ve had here at Londolozi.
A pretty young playful female found along the river to the east of camp
As sad as it is, the Plaque Rock Female occupied an ideal territory along the Sand River to the east of camps and I have no doubt that it will be first prize for another female to look to move into this area. This part of the reserve offers everything and more that makes an ideal territory for a female leopard to occupy. What female leopards typically look for in a territory is access to good, well-concealed den sites in which they can raise young as well as access to prey. The Sand River offers both of these in abundance.
Circling back a little bit, in a previous blog I spoke about a younger female leopard, the Xinkhova Female. She is just over three years old and at the age where she is now looking for a place in which to establish herself. In short, she spent quite some time in and around our airstrip and was then seen far further south and east in the reserve very far from her natal territory. We all thought this was where she was going to eventually settle and look to make this territory her own. Since then she has been seen back near the airstrip on several occasions a lot closer to our camps.
The young Xinkhova Female in a drainage line not too far away from where the Plaque Rock Female used to be territorial.
A stunning young female with a very similar spot pattern to her mother, the Nkoveni Female. Litter still completely intact March 2022.
With the Xinkhova Female back fairly close to the area in which the Plaque Rock Female used to have territory it begs the question will she fill this gap?
Both the Plaque Rock Female and Xinkhova Females have something extremely in common, they share a mother, the Nkoveni Female. The Nkoveni Female once occupied the territory along the Sand River and moved further south to accommodate the Plaque Rock Female when she became independent. So the adjacent territory further south along the Sand River is where the Xinkhova Female spent all her time while she was still dependent on her mother. I have no doubt they would have ventured into portions of the Plaque Rock Female’s territory during these years. So to some of these parts, she is no stranger.
Much like the Plaque Rock Female, the Xinkhova Female is often seen climbing into trees. This one happened to be a dead leadwood as well.
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.
It’s going to be a matter of time before another leopard occupies this territory, as I mentioned before it is an ideal spot to occupy. If the Xinkhova Female is to eventually take over this territory it will be a relatively slow process as she is going to venture into this area and realise that there is a lack of scent of another leopard. She will begin to venture further realising there is still no scent. Eventually, she will reach a point where she picks up the scent of another individual. This is when she will realise there is a vacancy for her to take over.
Hopefully, this young female leopard can soon establish a territory of her own.
As rangers and trackers, we are all very hopeful that there is now space for the Xinkhova Female to potentially set up her territory. It is rather bittersweet though. We are very fortunate that this area has amazing leopard viewing, but this makes it very hard for young leopards to find a place to call their own. This is an awesome opportunity for the Xinkhova Female to stake her claim, and hopefully, we will have many years of amazing viewing of her and her potential offspring.
Thanks Ross, I do hope she takes over Plaque Rock’s territory so we can have many more wonderful sightings of her. I’ve watched her grow from a 10 month old cub, to playing with her sister 3 months later, and then as a newly independent female. Like Plaque Rock, she is so beautiful and I have a large canvas of her in my front room. Let’s hope she keeps well away from lions!
Without wanting to know any gory details, what happened with Plaque Rock? Did the lions just catch her by surprise?
The Nkoveni Female passed on her beauty, and hopefully her resilience, not only to the exquisite Plaque Rock female but also to her younger daughters. I am still in disbelief when I think of the Plaque Rock female playing so energetically with her cub… I wonder how many adult leopards have been killed by lions, and how many cubs by hyenas… not to mention male leopards and other dangerous predators. Mother leopards are true heroes of the animal world! Long life and success to this young lady
Hi Ross, that would be ideal for the Xinkhova female to take claim on the Plague rock female’s territory. Living near the sand river and having abundance prey there, and concealed den sites would be a dream territory for her. Having the same mother and having the Plague rock female as an older sister, and maybe taking her territory would benefit her.
Thanks for this post Ross! The Xinkhova female taking over the Plaque Rock female’s territory would be a terrific outcome, especially in light of the sad reason for the area’s availability.
Although still reeling from the horrific loss of Plaque Rock, it would be fitting for Xinkhova to claim the territory for herself, literally keeping it in the family. Inasmuch as she’s already familiar with this area, there would be almost no learning curve. I suppose we’ll know in time if she decides to call this section next to the Sand River home.
gh it is still incredibly sad that the Plaque Rock female and her baby got killed in such horrible ways, the thought that her half sister might take over her territory is a very pleasant one. It would be great if this young female could establish herself so close to the river and all these brilliant den sites. It would be nice to watch her raising her own cubs so close to the camps.
It would indeed be nice to have the Xinkhova female choose a territory near the camps. She needs a place to call home and the late Plaque Rock female was relatively easy to see during her life n that area. Fingers crossed!
Ross, thanks for the update. Sorry to hear about the Plaque Rock Female’s passing.
How do you recognize/differentiate between the various leopards? Is it easy after being on the road a while?
I don’t think I’ve seen a map of territories showing both the male and female leopards territories…assuming there’s a lot of overlap??? Also, have you all seen the Ntomi male of late???