Beast inhabiting Mali -- one's spotted (7)
I believe the answer is:
lioness
'beast' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'inhabiting mali one's spotted' is the wordplay.
'inhabiting' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'LIONESS' is hidden within 'mali ones spotted'.
(Other definitions for lioness that I've seen before include "Beast" , "Elsa, for one" , "Leo's mate" , "Female pride member" , "predatory female'" .)