It seems after my recent blog “Who will my Fiftieth leopard at Londolozi be?” there have been a few newcomers, and so now, with much anticipation, I await to see which leopard it will be.
Two new males have already made their presence known while I was away: the Nambu Male and the Gonya Male, both born in April 2023. The day I got back from leave, the Gonya Male finished off the remains of an impala kill on the reserve before retreating further east. The Nambu Male was seen while I was away and hasn’t been seen since. Both of these males are nomadic, and so it is likely that they are both dispersing from their mothers’ territories on our eastern neighbours. Young males arriving from neighbouring areas are always exciting to watch as they could potentially establish themselves.
With the loss of the Nweti Male and Senegal Bush Male and now most recently the Mawelawela Male, we have yet to see newcomers to these territories.
Born 2014, dominant force in southern Londolozi. Notable for jaguar-like rosettes and exceptional hunting prowess, particularly of warthogs
Dominant from 2019-2024, transformed from cautious visitor to powerful territorial force. Mastered central Londolozi until his final days.
Born 2013, initially a fairly aggressive elusive male that has somewhat relaxed. Found in unconventional leopard territory of the grasslands
Then there’s the possibility of the Langa Female, born in 2019. She has been spending time in the northern reaches of the reserve. She has only been seen once or twice by the rangers but it seems tracks of her suggest she spends a bit more time on the reserve than we may think. She is also currently raising cubs so may potentially have to venture further out of her territory to provide for these cubs. Female leopards often establish stable territories, and if she continues to expand her range, we may begin seeing much more of her.
The Langa female who is yet to raise cubs to independence despite being 7 years old.
An unlikely prospect is the Sibuye Female, born in 2014 and still very much a territorial female leopard, which lies just east of the reserve’s northern boundary. Leopards regularly remind us that reserve boundaries mean very little to them, and if she starts venturing further west and pushes her daughter, the Langa female, we could soon have another female leopard in the northern parts of the reserve. This female is from the same lineage as the Three Rivers female, as her mother was the Xidulu female.
Daughter of Sunset Bend Female, this resilient leopard raised at least 5 cubs to independence before a tragic end defending her final litter
The Makomsava Female occupies the territory north of us so it seems unlikely that a new female would be able to push southwards at this stage. With the Xinzele Female also safely occupying the north western part of the reserve
The Makomsava female who use to be a familiar female in the northern parts of the reserve has now established herself further north.
The only surviving cub of the Nanga female, currently territorial northern Marthly. Currently denning north of boundary
Still very much in control in the northern parts without pressure from the eastern parts.
A stunning female found in the north. Successfully raised the Thumbela Female while establishing dominance in NW Marthly.
Perhaps the biggest question surrounds the recent loss of the Three Rivers Female. Her passing leaves a significant gap in the leopard landscape. Nature rarely leaves prime habitat vacant for long, and it raises an intriguing possibility: could the New Rocks Female begin pushing further west of the Sand River to occupy some of that available territory? Territory shifts like these are part of the natural cycle, and watching how neighbouring leopards respond is one of the most fascinating aspects of following these animals over time. Although the Tinxiya Female has been seen here of late, time will certainly tell.
The next chapter for the Nkuwa Young Male is certainly underway as the Nkuwa female has been mating with the Thamba Male west of the reserve. He is born at the beginning of 2025 so still very young as he navigates this next phase. There has been little change in the Nkuwa females territory in recent years and the prospect of the Nkuwa Young Male dispersing soon like her previous litter did.
The Nkuwa female and the young male being groomed.
Raised as an intact litter, first in 7 years, who has now made her own history by raising two males to independence as an intact litter.
The Ngungwe Young female is probably the most likely candidate for now but still remains elusive for me as we find stashed kills with no sign of her. She has been seen more regularly, but for some reason I can’t seem to find her.
The Ngungwe Young Female born in December of 2024 is now approaching independence as her mother has been seen mating recently and could give birth soon.
Born 2020 during lockdown to Piccadilly Female. Once skittish, now confident mother denning her first litter in Marthly's rocky terrain.
For now, the identity of leopard number 50 remains a mystery. It will most likely be the Ngungwe Young Female or it could be one of the ambitious young males from the east or the Nkuwa Young Male from the west. It could be a female expanding her territory as she navigates the pressures of rising cubs. Or perhaps another completely unexpected newcomer altogether.
One thing is certain: I can’t wait to get back into the bush and find out.
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on My Fiftieth Leopard: Some Recent Newcomers