Quote:Hi, my name is Jo and I am one of Panthera's research technicians in South Africa. What an excellent question! I too have noticed that the Gabon leopards are much larger and appear stockier too, but I did not know what the difference measured out to be. I sent your question to our researchers in central and western Africa to see if they had any insight. Our chat group had a great discussion on the topic and some photos of "beasty" leopard males were shared. It does not sound like anyone in Panthera has done much research into the weight of leopards in the equatorial region. However, to gather weight information on live leopards, it requires an immobilisation by a veterinarian, which is a risky and stressful procedure for the leopard. Unless there is another activity such as removal of a snare or a collaring for monitoring (which we really try not do unless absolutely necessary for leopards), than just gathering weight information is not justifiable for a procedure with that level of risk. Overall, I think it is very interesting and something cool to note. Thank you so much for your question! Cheers, Jo

Quote:So they haven't provided any insight other than the one person who thinks they look beastly in photos but panthera discussion didnt disclose anything?

Quote:I have one other person who photographed one who said he thinks they are "as large" as their counterparts but nothing real yet,

(04-23-2019, 11:03 AM)Luipaard Wrote:

"The male in my video his weight is a little more than 90 kg which is the maximum weight in Gabon, we had never met this male before in the region, the guides of Nyonié they estimate his weight can be even over 100 kg"

(04-23-2019, 04:48 PM)Pckts Wrote:

(04-23-2019, 11:03 AM)Luipaard Wrote:

"The male in my video his weight is a little more than 90 kg which is the maximum weight in Gabon, we had never met this male before in the region, the guides of Nyonié they estimate his weight can be even over 100 kg"

Except for the fact that he wasn't weighed, correct?

Comparing him to a tiny female is misleading, be honest, how large do you actually think that female is?

I'd have serious doubts of that leopard being even 90kgs either, he looks like a good sized Male but not one that is 40% heavier than a good sized Leopard from S. Or E. Africa.

Quote:Comparing him to a tiny female is misleading

(04-23-2019, 08:37 PM)Luipaard Wrote:

(04-23-2019, 04:48 PM)Pckts Wrote:

(04-23-2019, 11:03 AM)Luipaard Wrote:

"The male in my video his weight is a little more than 90 kg which is the maximum weight in Gabon, we had never met this male before in the region, the guides of Nyonié they estimate his weight can be even over 100 kg"

Except for the fact that he wasn't weighed, correct?

Comparing him to a tiny female is misleading, be honest, how large do you actually think that female is?

I'd have serious doubts of that leopard being even 90kgs either, he looks like a good sized Male but not one that is 40% heavier than a good sized Leopard from S. Or E. Africa.

That's your opinion and that's fine by me. I also know your opinion about these Central African leopards (being equal to other, mediocre subspecies). But I'm still gonna lean towards the guides their estimation if that's okay for you.

Quote:Comparing him to a tiny female is misleading

Except for the fact that she wasn't weighed, correct? As I've mentioned before, sexual dimorphism in Central African leopards is extreme.