I grew up in Johannesburg and went on to study finance in Cape Town. As soon as I finished studying, I knew I had to return to the bush because that was where my true passion lay. This was something I had always wanted to do, so I chased it and having been through the Londolozi Training course earlier this year, I am so happy to be part of the team now.
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
If you were on my vehicle for a first drive, that is what I would tell you about myself. It has been the most amazing chase of my life. But a ranger’s story really begins with what he sees, and mine begins with a leopard.
The beautiful Tinxiya Female sits on her haunches, listening to the sounds around her.
It was early morning, and our whole training group was on the vehicle, just us, learning the roads. We were in the southeastern parts of Londolozi, Tugwaan Drive, just north of the vlei for those of you that are familiar with the roads, and we came around the corner to discover her right next to the road.
There she was, about 100 metres ahead. She was pouncing after a scrub hare, like a domestic cat trying to catch a ribbon.
The moment we saw her, everything felt like it was in slow motion. All of our eyes locked onto her. Nobody said much. We were stumped and in awe. All we could see was a leopard with the most beautiful golden coat going about her business.
She was the Tinxiya Female, the first leopard I ever saw at Londolozi.
Three Rivers Female and her daughter, the Tinxiya Female. Two beautiful leopards, one legacy.
Many of you will know her as the Three Rivers Female’s first independent daughter. The last time there was an update on her, was still alive. Since then, the Three Rivers Female has passed away. It was a tragic loss, and so I will leave it there. For the Tinxiya Female, it has meant inheriting a lot more territory. She now has her mother’s old ground to herself, and she has other female leopards around her to deal with. Life as an independent leopard approaching adulthood is no easy task.
A few days ago, I had another sighting of her, and it brought that first morning back. She was walking through the exact same territory where we first saw her, but with a lot more confidence. Now patrolling an area where her mother had patrolled before her.
Then she stalked a herd of impalas, and she missed. She was impatient, and she spoiled the kill. Even with all that territory and all that confidence, she still shows her youth sometimes.
A short while later, she carried on her way, scent marking through her newly found territory. The first time I saw her, she was pouncing at hares like a cat after a laser. The last time I saw her, she was walking that same ground as if it was hers, because now it is.
My hope is that she holds all of it. If she does, it would further cement her place in the next generation of the Leopards of Londolozi. She was the first leopard of my chase, and I will be watching to see where she goes.
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on The Leopard I Met First