For a while, we thought she might be gone.
Born 2020 during lockdown to Piccadilly Female. Once skittish, now confident mother denning her first litter in Marthly's rocky terrain.
The Ngungwe Young Female hadn’t been seen for months, and each quiet morning made the absence feel heavier. Young leopards can disappear for many reasons, and with her naturally skittish nature, it was easy to imagine the worst. But then, slowly, she began to show herself again, and over the last few weeks, something has shifted. A turning point, perhaps.
A few afternoons ago, we headed into the north, not expecting much beyond the usual quiet beauty of that part of the reserve. Instead, we looked up into a huge jackalberry and found a leopard draped effortlessly, as only leopards can do. At first glance and based on her relaxed demeanour, we called her the Loloyiso Female (the Makomsava Female’s cub from 2022) – similar age, size and colour. But the spot pattern told the truth soon enough. It was the Ngungwe Young Female, calm enough to let us sit with her. A small moment, but for a cub that once melted away at the crunch of a tyre, it felt significant.
We left her in the tree and continued on with our drive. From an open crest about an hour later, we could see it: a grey sheet of rain sweeping in from the south. The wind lifted, and through the shimmer of the oncoming rain, the Ngungwe Female crossing the road ahead of us, slipping into the combretum thickets with purpose.
The Ngungwe Female, historically one of our more shy leopards, has recently allowed us into her world more. After a great track-and-find with tracker Evens Mkhansi, we enjoyed a phenomenal afternoon with her and her 8-month-old cub. This image is something slightly different, but I feel like it captures her character fairly well.
With the wind in her favour and the rain masking her sound, she moved quickly, pausing only long enough to scan for any hint of movement. This is the time predators make the most of. Impala lambing season. Distracted mothers. Short bursts of life in long grass.
As the heavens opened, her pace quickened. Then, in one sudden surge, she vanished into a clump of bushes and reappeared with a duiker pinned beneath her. It was over almost as soon as it began. Efficient. Instinctive. Wild. In the downpour, she dragged the kill to a large marula tree nearby and up into the canopy for safety.
By now, we were soaked through: our shirts plastered to our skin, the seats puddled beneath us. But not one of us cared. There’s a particular kind of contentment that only the bush can offer, and it usually shows up when you least expect it.
The next morning, the reward for the previous day’s patience was waiting. Mother and cub together at the kill. The young female was more settled than we’d ever seen her. Feeding. Resting. Watching us. Allowing us in.
The moment before the Ngungwe female climbed up the trunk of the Jackalberry
Moments like this are what habituation is all about. Not forcing trust, but earning it. Giving these animals the space to decide, in their own time, that we are simply part of the landscape. And if the last few weeks are anything to go by, the Ngungwe Young Female is beginning to make that choice.
NT Ngungwe Female leopard in Marula
With a bit of luck — and a lot more quiet hours spent with her — we may soon have another relaxed leopard moving through the mix. Another story weaves itself into the tapestry of this place.
And perhaps, in a few years, we’ll look back on these early sightings as the first steps in a long, shared journey.
Hi Keagan, it is a relief hearing the Ngungwe female is alive and has a 8 month cub with her. I don’t suppose you know the sex of the cub yet. Nevertheless it is fantastic news to see the Ngungwe female again and hopefully we will be able to see her cub soon. Thanks for the update on her.
Wonderful story. It has been well worth the wait to get a closer glimpse of Ngungwe young female.
There was such collective relief when she was discovered to have been in hiding and not killed. Let’s hope the habituation process continues successful with her increased comfort and confidence around the vehicles.
Ah, the circle of life.
Super photos
Hi Keagan, she’s a very elegant and exquisite leopard, like the Piccadilly female. The daughter is as well a stunner. I love the story, skittish behaviour save their lives, but eventually they understood that over there there’s nothing to fear. Like the Maxim male, this is their primary instinct that keep them safe. It is so nice to see how patience is rewarded. Hopefully they will not move to more dangerous areas and this so pretty young female can live a healthy life, I’m looking forward to reading the further developments. They have a peculiar coat pattern that makes them even more beautiful, and deep amber eyes… fantastic
It’s great to learn that the habituation process has been working for the Ngungwe young female. What’s interesting about the skittish nature of this cub is her mother was the same way, although her mother, the Piccadilly female was very relaxed around the vehicles. Like humans, seems each leopard has its own personality, some shy and others more relaxed.
Wonderful that the Ngungwe is so relaxed around cars now and her cub starting to become the same.
I hope that I will be able to see her in April.
Oh, and great photos, especially the young cub snarling at people. Just the right moment you took that photo.
Awesome that she is relaxing, the habituation process is so fascinating! Is the Tortoise Pan Male the most likely candidate in terms of paternity or are there other males that could be possibilities?
Keagan, What a great find! It’s so great to hear that Ngungwe is still alive and by the looks of her, she is doing great! Our fingers are crossed that her cub learns quickly about the vehicles and becomes a relaxed and vibrant addition to the area!