A Week in the Bush Vol. 517
on Sep 25, 2024Our week started off by being in the right place at the right time…
We were lucky enough to find these two young ones from the Ntsumi female right after our sundowner stop. They were moving with their noses on the ground, clearly following a scent. These two are moving further and further away from their mother but will still look to find her when they get hungry without any luck of killing something for themselves. As they ventured deeper into the thickets and darkness, we decided to let them be, hopeful that they would find their mom or secure a meal of their own.
Later in the week, Ntsumi and her cubs were seen together on a kill and soon parted ways once the meat was finished.
Leopard cubs, especially females, have a lot to learn from their mothers before they can survive on their own. During the time they spend with her, they develop crucial hunting skills, learning how to stalk and ambush prey efficiently. They also pick up important lessons about navigating their environment, avoiding larger predators, and identifying safe resting spots. Mothers also teach them how to defend themselves and care for kills, ensuring their survival once they leave her protection.
For newly matured females, life becomes a delicate balancing act. As they try to establish their own territories, they must find an area that is not only abundant in prey but also safely away from dominant females, including their mother. Often, daughters may carve out territories on the periphery of their mother's range, but competition with other leopards can be fierce. The challenge lies in securing and maintaining a space where they can hunt and raise future cubs without constant threat from rivals or other predators.
We came across N’weti male and Ntsumi female in a very dense area where we spotted a piece of meat hanging from a tree in the distance. We went to investigate and Ntsumi on the kill and later N’weti joined. They took turns to feed on the impala kill.
Being solitary, leopards would usually fight to feed on the same kill, but this one was different as they both allowed each other to eat at their own time.
A slow start to the morning led us to search the reserve for any signs of wildlife. Eventually, we came across fresh male leopard tracks, accompanied by drag marks. After a brief pursuit, we discovered N’weti, a male leopard, with a freshly killed warthog, which he had already hoisted into a tree and partially fed on. He was resting on a nearby termite mound in the shade, panting heavily from his efforts.
Leopards hoist their kills into trees to keep them safe from opportunistic hyenas. If the tree doesn't offer a comfortable resting spot, they will climb up only to feed, then descend to find a more suitable place to rest, leaving the carcass secured in the tree.
N’weti has been feeding on this warthog kill for two days, drawing the attention of nearby hyenas. While he had been resting on the ground, the approach of the hyenas prompted him to swiftly retreat up the tree, where he resumed feeding on the remaining scraps of meat. As night falls, N’weti will likely move on in search of a sheltered spot to rest and digest his meal, escaping the cold and wet conditions for the following day.
After a long period without sightings of Tengile and her cub, we were treated to a wonderful encounter as they roamed through our reserve. The cub, full of energy, was playfully stalking and pouncing on her mother, a playful interaction that also served as a valuable lesson, teaching her the essential skills she'll one day need to hunt and survive. We eventually left them as they ventured deeper into the thickets, likely seeking a sheltered spot to rest from the wind and cool weather.
After a period of absence, we managed to find Golonyi as she was making her way through a burnt area, still very focused and looking for a possible hunt. She had her eyes set on a very young rhino calf and started her stalk. She got within metres of the calf when the rhino cow got scent of her and turned, aggressively chasing her away. Accepting the defeat, Golonyi carried on and moved into the thickets, about to explore the unknown.
Leopards are very opportunistic and will take any chance they get when it comes to hunting and it doesn't matter the animal or conditions.
Early in the morning, the two Gijima males were vocalising frequently, and we tracked them by following their calls. Eventually, we found them walking through thick bushes before they settled in a dense area to rest. Every so often, they glanced back in the direction they had come from, suggesting they were keeping an eye on something. In the distance, we could hear the faint calls of other lions, indicating there may have been some kind of altercation earlier.
Male lions often engage in territorial fights, and it's common for younger males to venture into the territories of established lions in hopes of claiming them. It is the responsibility of these territorial males to defend their domain and fend off any intruders.
After a short tracking exercise in wet and cold conditions, we found the two Gijima males finishing off the remains of a young buffalo kill that they had made during the day. These two males are in very good condition and will spend the next couple of days patrolling their territory without needing to worry about hunting. On cooler days like this, lions and other predators tend to be active for longer periods of time with prey animals often clustered together as they try to keep their body heat, giving predators opportunities to stalk them.
Following up on the Msuthlu Pride led to great excitement. A we arrived we quickly saw that the fourth lioness and her four youngest cubs had joined up with the pride. The older cubs were all sleeping with the adults as the youngest members were playing with each other, ensuring a great sighting for our lucky guests. The behaviour quickly changed as the adults got up in sync, clearly focused on something. We saw the movement of a kudu in the distance but with the wind swirling around, the hunt was ruined within minutes. The pride regathered and continued resting. Lions are very opportunistic and will hunt any time of the day if the opportunity presents itself.
A few days ago, a herd of elephants pushed over a Marula tree, and today, we watched in awe as another group approached the fallen giant. They gathered around the tree, feeding on its fresh, nutrient-rich leaves and succulent branches. Elephants often trees to access the tender growth that’s emerging — packed with nutrients. As one herd moves on, it’s common for another to arrive and continue feeding on the same tree, making the most of nature’s bounty.
Kudu antelope have highly developed hearing due to their large, swivelling ears, that can pick up even the faintest sounds. This acute sense of hearing acts as an early warning system against predators, allowing them to detect danger from a distance. When faced with a threat, kudus rely on their exceptional hearing and camouflaged striped coats to blend into their surroundings. They often freeze in place to avoid detection, which helps them remain hidden and safe from predators.
We sat in awe beside a waterhole near our private airstrip, watching as a massive herd of buffalo approached to quench their thirst after a warm day. The sight of an endless line of buffalo slowly making their way to the water is almost beyond description — majestic and humbling. As they gathered, their hooves stirred up a cloud of dust that followed them, with no end to the steady stream of animals arriving. Each buffalo was part of something larger, moving as one, relying on their sheer numbers and the collective strength of the herd to guard against any lurking dangers.
Until next time…
Blog by Wendy Claase
Images by Devon Jansen, Franco Hay, JP van Rooyen, Ronald Mutero and Ruan Mey
