tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775438753174835106.post8029314241056520495..comments2024-03-27T09:11:36.753+02:00Comments on .: 03rd and 04th May – More Big 5 Sightings!Motswari Private Game Reservehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14697587640077823596noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775438753174835106.post-51196471798772726982010-09-17T13:46:21.481+02:002010-09-17T13:46:21.481+02:00hahaha, im having fun reading these old posts and ...hahaha, im having fun reading these old posts and seeing how my predicitions turned out!<br /><br />well mbali did disappear for a while, then ended up far south in her old territory, but is currently spending time around sohebele dam and even further east into karans! kuhanya has also been seen as far east as kudu pan clearing, as well as further north, including in and around motswari camp....two of argyle jnr's independent youngters (shongile and vyboom dam male) are also seen regularly around camp...so the dynamics continue...cant wait to get back and follow their lives!Chad Cockingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775438753174835106.post-35113738576998701482009-05-05T22:16:00.000+02:002009-05-05T22:16:00.000+02:00Evening Clare
i also await the time when Kuhanya ...Evening Clare<br /><br />i also await the time when Kuhanya will become independent from her mom, Mbali. i would imagine that it won't be very long, as Kuhanya is almost 18-months old, and quite independent already. Some mothers break the bond even sooner, but this is the first cub Mbali has raised to independence, and it will be interesting to see when she has decides to chase kuhanya away. The affectionate interactions will stop, although they might still have some contact due to the fact that for several months, Kuhanya will still use the saem territory as her mom. AS the youngster nears sexual maturity, usually after 2-2.5yrs old, she will look to establish her own territory, often adjacent to the mothers territory. What i suspect might happen is that Mbali will move further south to her old territory (under the control of Mangadjane), and Kuhanya will stay to the north (controlled by the Argyle male)...but that is just speculation, we will have to see what happens over the next few months, but i am sure that Mbali will be coming back into oestrus quite soon, and start looking for a male to mate with, and hopefully have some success raising more cubs soon! There are currently 5 sub-adult leopards in the area, and all will be looking for territories in the near future, so there might be some changes around the corner, and hopefully some nice leopards setting up territories around our camp!<br /><br />have a great evening<br /><br />regards,<br />ChadChad Cockingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1775438753174835106.post-85033800620723097432009-05-05T14:13:00.000+02:002009-05-05T14:13:00.000+02:00Hi Chad
Clare here..when would a young lepoard lea...Hi Chad<br />Clare here..when would a young lepoard leave it's mother? You say that Kuhanya is nearing independance, would that time be approaching soon? Also, once independant, I know leopards are basically solitary, but do they always stay so or interact with other leopards at times?<br />Thanks for this info--I find it really interesting!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com