The ever graceful leopardess, Hlarulini, travelled from the south of Sabi Sand reserve and was spotted patrolling the traverse around Umkumbe Safari Lodge. The first sighting of Hlarulini was of her hoisting a stolen kill into a tree for safekeeping. The fresh kill was abandoned by White Dam and Hlarulini, being an opportunistic leopard, hoisted the meaty impala into the fork of a tree. A male leopard snuck up the tree, knocked Hlarulini 4m to the ground and kept the kill for himself! This happened during the course of last week and rangers Marius and Mauritz were there with their guests, watching the antics unfold.
If you recall, Marius gave a quick rundown about the recent happenings with the leopards of the Sabi Sand , but today it’s all about Mauritz Senekal and his moments in time with Hlarulini. These photos were taken at the same sighting. It’s great to gain a different ranger’s photography perspective!
Here are 3 facts about female leopards, which will help to understand Hlarulini’s recent behaviour.
- Leopards drag their kill high up into trees to keep their “meal” away from thieving scavengers. In areas where there are low populations of scavengers, leopards will devour their meal on ground level. This is why Hlarulini swiftly headed up the tree – notorious hyena Toothfairy was hovering around.
- Hlarulini wandered over from south of the reserve. Female leopards tend to favour territories that have potential den sites and plenty of access to food. The home ranges of male leopards are far wider and they tend to overlap with territories of multiple females.
- Leopards have a rasping, coarse call which they use to advertise their territory. Another leopard will respond with a similar responding call, which lets the intruder know that they exist.
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