Photo by: Christian Sperka

Nyoka

This large female (estimated age: 8-10 years) is the oldest individual we have yet collared and is also the only leopard to have successfully raised a litter (Duzi and Saba) to independence since the onset of the study. Her name is derived from the Zulu word for 'snake' and describes her very characteristic forked tongue, presumably a result of a past injury. Another somewhat unique quirk of this female's physical appearance are her startlingly blue eyes; a trait not apparent in any other of the Phinda leopards. Unfortunately, a large portion of her territory overlaps into a neighbouring hunting farm and she is thus under constant threat of persecution, both legal and illegal. To date, however, she has managed to evade her aggressors and proved to be an excellent mother. During the course of 2004 she was seen to mate with at least three different males, which hopefully will bear to fruition in the coming year.

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Last updated February 2005.