The Ostrich Koppies leopard at MalaMala – by Brett Thomson

The Ostrich Koppies female was born to the Campbell Koppies female in October 2004. Towards the end of 2008, she established her own territory at MalaMala between the Mlowathi and Matshipiri Rivers.

When she was 4 and half years old, she had her first litter, but unfortunately due to her lack of experience as a mother, neither of the two little male cubs lived past their first year. Not long after she gave birth to another cub, a little female this time, and she is currently a year and five months old.

The Ostrich Koppies female is a favourite of MalaMala guests, and is very relaxed around game viewing vehicles. She is beginning to spend more and more time north of the MalaMala boundary, and in December they only had two brief sightings of her. Both times were without her cub, which is an indication that she is planning on moving away from her daughter in order to force the youngster to fend for herself.

In January there were again only a few sightings of this special leopard and the rangers are pretty certain that her cub is now independent, or very close to it.

MalaMala is the oldest private Game Reserve in South Africa and considered by many to provide safari guests with the ultimate Big Five game viewing experience. All of Sun Safaris Safari Experts have visited the Sabi Sand on many occasions and welcome the opportunity to assist you with your safari plans.

Leopard at MalaMala
Leopard at MalaMala - by Bruce Archibald