Big & “Little” Cat Update

Hi All, hope you are enjoying the new blog layout.
Check out the below update on an action packed, festive few weeks of big cat interaction, a more comprehensive Ranger’s Report to follow at month end. Remember to click on the images for a larger version.

Hlaba Nkunzi and cub

Unndoubtedly the star of the show, the ever graceful and elegant mother is providing so well for her 4 month old cub. See video for some highlights.

On the contrary, Metsi and her cub have been very scarce and in deep hiding for the last month, their tracks have been seen but no luck in finding the elusive and secretive Metsi!

No time for the hard working mom (Hlaba Nkunzi)to rest.

Negotiating a puddle with ease!

Logging some of the many hours she will spend up a Marula tree!

Video
[FMP width=”640″ height=”360″]https://www.leopardhills.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Leopard-Dec12-hlaba.flv[/FMP]

Dayone

He is well and truly back to FULL strength. We were lucky enough to see him and Kashane interact and show each other mutual respect while growling and scent marking along the imaginary line that separates their territories. If he was anything but at full power Kashane would undoubtedly have taken him out!

See video below for this interaction.
[FMP width=”640″ height=”360″]https://www.leopardhills.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Leopard-Dec12-stand-off.flv[/FMP]

Here he is scent marking below while exuding confidence again.

Video of Dayone successfully hunting a warthog piglet.
[FMP width=”640″ height=”360″]https://www.leopardhills.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Leopard-Dec12-dayon-hunt.flv[/FMP]

He also seems to have chased off the intruding young Nyeleti male in the last few weeks.
Here is Nyeleti in stalk mode below, this youngster did provide us with some memorable sightings…perhaps he will be back??

Lions

The Selati’s have been very vocal this month, entrenching their dominance over the area, see video of all 4 of them them roaring on the airstrip (turn up the volume). They have also managed to kill a few more buffalo recently to fill their bellies.

1 of the coalition staring into the darkness, alert to any sound that may pinpoint the location of a buffalo.

2 of the Ximhungwe females have revealed their combined litters of 2 + 3 (5 in total) cubs of similar age in the last week ( +- 6 weeks old). See video.

Here is a little one crying out for mom not to leave them as she heads off on a hunt.

Bravely striding forth with mom at the fore.

Quenching an insatiable summer thirst.

The Othawa lionesses have been with the Selati’s frequently and seem to be enticing them to mate again, seems like their cubs haven’t made it for whatever reason. They are young inexperienced lionesses so this is not too much of a surprise given the stress that the Selati Coalition takeover must have caused.

Here is one of the females performing a golden “flehmen” grimace or should I say smile.

Lions video
[FMP width=”640″ height=”360″]https://www.leopardhills.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/lions-dec12.flv[/FMP]