The Khoza Female’s Rise: A Young Leopard’s Journey to Independence

The Khoza female leopard, daughter of Mvubu Loop and Nchila, is already proving to be an exceptionally skilled and intelligent hunter at just two and a half years old. She frequently displays her abilities for both guests and field guides in the bush. 

My first encounter with this remarkable young leopard occurred in July of last year, as I had just begun my placement at Lion Sands. At the time, she was transitioning from cub to sub-adult. She was now no longer under the protection of her mother and was soon to embark on a life of independence. One afternoon, we received a radio call from another vehicle that had spotted her resting in the shade of the solar farm near Narina Lodge. It was not unusual to find her in this area, as it was where she and her littermate were raised. 

As we arrived at the sighting, the other vehicles pulled away, and we found ourselves alone with this curious young leopard. It did not take long before she lifted her head, her keen senses alert. For a full five minutes, she remained perfectly still. Then, she began stalking, her body low to the ground, nearly scraping against the earth as she blended seamlessly into the long grass. From over the ridge, a female bushbuck appeared, accompanied by her calf. They were heading directly toward the young leopard, seemingly unaware of the danger lurking nearby. In an instant, the Khoza female sprang into action, her movements swift and precise. She darted forward, captured the calf, and disappeared into the thick shrubbery. 

Witnessing this hunt was a masterclass in stealth, timing, and patience, skills she undoubtedly learned from her mother who was a formidable hunter in her own right. We cautiously followed her path, eventually finding her perched in a small fortress of raisin bushes, still suffocating her prey. This, we believe, was her first successful solo kill. We left her to enjoy her hard-earned meal. When we returned after dark we found her high up in a tree, the calf now firmly secured in her grasp. Below, a clan of spotted hyenas circled, hoping for a mistake or a few falling scraps.  

This was a truly extraordinary sighting that cemented the Khoza female as an individual I would always keep an eye out for in my career going forward. 

Why do we name leopards? 

While some might find it odd to name a leopard, it is actually an essential part of how we identify and track them. The distinctive pattern of spots on a leopard’s coat, particularly the row of spots above the whiskers, is a reliable marker for identification. As we spend more time with each individual, we become more familiar with their unique features, fostering a deeper connection between the animals and our guests. 

Once an individual is identified, they are given a name, a privilege granted to the first field guide and tracker to confirm the sighting of a new cub or leopard. Ben Ubisi and Collence Khoza, a field guide and tracker team, were the first to spot Mvubu Loop’s litter of two female cubs. Tragically, Collence passed away before they could decide on names for the cubs. In his honour, the team chose to name the more prominent of the two cubs the “Khoza female.” Her littermate, a more elusive and skittish leopard, has yet to be reliably sighted enough times for us to confirm her identifying features.  

The Khoza female is now settling into a small portion of her mother's territory, west of Narina Lodge. Here, she continues to refine her hunting skills and grow into a beautiful, independent leopard. Already a favourite among guests, her journey is one we eagerly anticipate following for many years to come.