Who is this?

This vid was taken in 2012 of a Leopard and cubs. Any ideas who we may be looking at?



SM

I've watched this so many times, freeze framing etc. The cubs are definitely different ages so I would guess Olive, Bahati and Pacha, not Nkaiyoni because markings are different. Need to find a pic of Pacha. I'm leaning towards these three because its not common for Leopards to stay together is it? Although shouldn't Olive have had her other cubs then as well?

Hmmm need time to on this one, as AM says they do look different ages
WS

I admit I'm certainly new to this but I'm not so sure it's Olive. Here is a side view shot I found on Jackson's blog and the markings on the left side of the face don't look like a match to me.



Anybody see something I don't? Some are so easy to distinguish but I'm not sure about this one.

Ronnie

You're right Ronnie, definitely not Olive then. So there is another leopard out there who keeps off spring from different litters together maybe its not as rare as we all think how wonderful. Thank you for the picture

I'm not so sure the cubs are different ages. One does look bigger than the other but not enough to be from different litters to me. Wouldn't there have to be quite an obvious age difference figuring in gestation time and how long it would take to get the cub to an age where she would mate again? What we need is ,as Johnathan says, a good bottom shot. I think the bigger one might be a male and the smaller a female. I mean Ayah and Binti were obviously bigger than Kali. Again I'm new at this and you all have been at it much longer than I have. On J&A's blog Pepe has mentioned one they call The Paradise Female with two cubs but I can't find a pic of her. Wonder if this could be her?

Ronnie

Just watched this and have to say I have no idea as it only says Masai Mara and doesn't give an area it is hard to know.

You could be right Ronnie - I've not seen the Paradise female so maybe it's her.

Lai

I asked a question on the You Tube and the owner of the clip replied, this is what he said:

thanks. it was taken on the western side of the mara on the kichwa tembo / transmara side down by the mara river.  apparently one of the cubs was killed that night by a lion unfortunately.

Oh no that is really sad. Thanks for finding out Anne-Marie.

I've just looked on my Mara map and can only say that Kichwa Tembo is on the very western side to the left of the Mara river closest to Oloololo Gate and just outside the Reserve Boundary. About 6 kms from Musiara Marsh so about 12 kms from Paradise Plains .... confused by my description? I am

Lai

Jackson was on chat on FB so I asked him if he had any photos of the Paradise female but I have not gotten a response yet. It would be nice to confirm who she is but it does look more like that is probably who we are looking at.

Ronnie

Jackson sent me a reply. He said he had gone twice to see her but couldn't find her so,no pictures. Just have to keep asking around. I'm really interested in figuring out who this is. If this is Paradise Female then she has a name so there are pictures of her out there, somewhere.

Ronnie

Great that Jackson sent you a reply Ronnie. It's strange that there does'nt seem to be any definate information about her, as you say if its the Paradise female you would have thought there would be photos of her somewhere. I might ask on J&As blog later if anyone knows of Photos that exist
WS

That's a good idea WS. Someone there will surely know. I'll also ask around on FB. I was recently asked to join a group there called African Wildlife & Big Cat Loverz, there should be someone there who would know as well. Alot of the same names I've seen on the BIGCATFANZ page.

Ronnie

I've asked the question on J&A's Blog Ronnie, and will have a look at the other site. Fingers X we might get some info
WS

WS, I just posted a link to the video on FB asking for help with the ID. One of us is bound to get an answer soon.

Ronnie

Good idea Ronnie, I've also sent a message to Paul Kirui, and Aatish Patel ( Masai Mara Safaris ) on there FB pages with the link to the Video to see if they can help. They are both well up on the leopards in the Mara, so hopefully between us the mystery Leopard Lady will be identified.
WS

Good job WS. We're bound to find out who she is soon. I also posted a link to the video on Jackson's FB page. Maybe if he can see her that would help.

Ronnie

Great idea everyone - I'm sure someone will ID her soon.

Lai

Following a tip from Pepe on J&A's Blog, I found this on Mara Triangles Feb Monthly report.
We have two prides of lions with around ten cubs in each – lets hope that they survive this time. We also have two leopard with two cubs each – we seldom see leopard cubs in the Triangle and hope that they will remain.
I wonder if she's one of these
WS

That sounds good WS! Now we have a better lead to follow. I've gotten a few nibbles on my post but they so far they have been ruled out. I've told them we didn't know yet who she is but we are pretty sure who she isn't. She isn't Shadow and she isn't Olive. At least people are responding and trying to help, which is encouraging. I edited my post above because one of the posters suggested asking Jackson or Jonathan. I posted the video on Jackson's FB wall hoping seeing her might be better than just asking questions. Maybe Paul K or Aatish will recognize her? The search continues for know but seems to be narrowed down to two possible females. If we can just find the pictures.

Ronnie