Mondzo Female Leopard

Captured during a territorial patrol, this striking image of Mondzo, the female leopard born in late 2017 to Inkanyeni in the Cheetah Plains area, reveals her in dappled sunlight, staring confidently at the camera. Named for her affinity for playing in the tops of leadwood trees, Mondzo continues her family’s tradition of tree-themed names, following in the footsteps of her mother Inkanyeni and siblings like Torchwood and Xiluva. Born from Inkanyeni’s sixth litter, Mondzo’s territory stretches from Cheetah Plains into Kruger National Park, with occasional forays into Nkorho, showcasing her adaptability and determination in the vast wilderness of South Africa.

Photographer: Pieter Dannhauser