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Leopards of Sabi Sands
Leopards of Sabi Sands
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Leopards of Sabi Sands
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Seems odd that Cedric had him on the drive after the first and didn't mentioned it at all, one would assume word about such a thing would spread around, especially if it would have to happen close - enough to get the very same individual on drive next morning.
Unfortunate, but considering this is RSA I have trouble believing 100% of what they're stating or rather that animals' goodwill is utmost priority of everybody involved (while for many is ofc).   
An earlier article from before his death
https://www.rnews.co.za/leopard-in-trap-...-reserves/ A male leopard who was found with a cable noose around his body on Friday in the Manyeleti nature reserve in Mpumalanga has raised renewed concern about the safety of wildlife in nature reserves. Footage shows Tavangumi, a well-known leopard in the reserve, struggling and walking with a noose around his body. The incident was reported to the authorities, after which the male leopard could be freed from the trap. The leopard suffered serious cuts, but according to the Mpumalanga Tourism and Park Agency (MTPA) is recovering well. “We are delighted to say that the leopard is doing well. The rangers of Manyeleti Nature Reserve will continue to monitor the leopard through the collar tracking device together with private veterinarians,” reads a post on the agency’s Facebook page. According to Werner Weber, provincial leader of the FF Plus, the rampant poaching of wild animals in nature reserves, and especially in the Manyeleti nature reserve – which borders the Kruger National Park – is getting completely out of hand. “It was shocking to see the pictures of the poor leopard. The snare tightened so tightly that it left a large and deep wound all around his body,” said an angry Weber. “Invasive steps must be taken urgently to put a stop to this cruel behaviour. This is not the first predator to be caught in a trap in this reserve.” Landé Willemse, media officer for the FF Plus in Mpumalanga, says it is disturbing how often snares of predators have to be removed. “Snares must be regularly removed from lions and hyenas. There is a lion in the same reserve with the ugliest scars on his face after his mouth was caught in a snare. He looks like the ‘Joker’, his whole face is full of marks. “Necessary anti-poaching measures are not taken in our reserves, which means that these cruel things continue to happen to our animals,” says Willemse. According to Weber, the fence between the Manyeleti nature reserve and the surrounding local community is in a terrible state and poachers simply walk into the reserve on foot with hunting dogs. “The local community simply let their livestock graze in the reserves. There is practically nothing. There is hunting every day; traps are set every day; every day there are people who walk into the reserve unhindered and kill our animals.” Weber says there is also no border between the Manyeleti Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park, which makes it even easier for poachers to enter the reserves and hunt protected wildlife. “Especially at night, there is little or no anti-poaching action by Mpumalanga’s Tourism and Park Board,” says Weber. “The MTPA simply says that there is a shortage of staff, but that is not an excuse.” According to Willemse, however, it is not only the Manyeleti nature reserve that is deteriorating due to alleged mismanagement. “There are probably seven state reserves in Mpumalanga – among them the Bosbokrand nature reserve – which are falling further and further into disrepair due to mismanagement. “The management of our reserves is a joke; we have been trying to do something about this for so long now. The buildings in the reserves are falling apart, the grass of thatched roof roundabouts is being pulled out and wild grass is growing along the paths. It’s simply not managed properly.” Willemse says approximately two billion rand was allocated in the budget meeting last week for renovation work on roads. “For what? It doesn’t help that roads are upgraded if the destinations fall apart? And if the animals are killed… “Nowhere in the budget for the new financial year was provision made for anti-poaching programmes, but the MTPA budgeted R18 million for marketing. How does it work? It’s ridiculous.” Willemse says the MTPA falls under the same department that is responsible for job creation and economic transformation. “Anti-poaching is clearly not a priority for this department.” In a letter to Nompumeleleo Hlophe, the MEC for tourism and economic development, the FF Plus posed pertinent questions regarding anti-poaching action and also requested an urgent meeting on this. According to Willemse, Hlophe inherited the problems of the previous MEC. “This is not her creation. We have confidence in her, she is really capable and we hope that she will tackle these issues. “Policing of wildlife and anti-poaching measures must be stepped up urgently. A permanent anti-poaching unit must be appointed which patrols reserves day and night, because at the current rate of poaching there will be few of certain species left in this Big Five reserve in a decade,” says Willemse. 
Monday, 3 July 2023
Xidulu, female Leopard mobile West from Arathusa Safari Lodge. Tiyani, female Leopard with a juvenile Impala kill in a Marula tree off of Marula Bolt South. Tuesday, 4 July 2023 Xidulu, female Leopard static on top of a Termite mound East of Second Windmill. Tiyani, female Leopard mobile South East from Sixteenth Crossing Road. Makhomsava, female Leopard and her cub mobile North from Mfezi. Wednesday, 5 July 2023 Xidulu, female Leopard mobile East from Tjololo. Thursday, 6 July 2023 Xidulu, female Leopard mobile East from MMM into Djuma. Friday, 7 July 2023 Makhomsava, female Leopard mobile East from Kudu Drift towards Big Dam. Xinzele’s older Leopard cub mobile East from Serengeti Pan. Saturday, 8 July 2023 Tlalamba, female Leopard on the Eastern side of the Mluwati River. Xidulu’s young male Leopard cub static on Marikeni Drive. Sunday, 9 July 2023 Makhomsava, female Leopard static at Buff Pan. Tortoise Pan, male Leopard mobile North from Seepline. Leopards in pics below: Makhomsovah and Xidulu by Elephant Plains  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Nice update about recent leopard movement, seems like Maribye move out and is currently in Londolozi among other news.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u91Zg_MB570
ID Kits by MalaMala
 *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Molwati made a visit to Nkorho for the first time. He was sawing too. The Eyrefield male who used to control Nkorho lost his testicles a few months ago somehow. Maybe attacked by another leopard or caught by Hyenas, as a result he seems to not be territorial anymore?
 *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Damage to the testicles means less testosterone. Less testosterone means less of a mating drive, muscular build and agression. So he would be a very easy target for takeovers.
Such an injury is typically the end of the competive life of an animal. From now on he will likely spend his life wandering aimlessly. We saw the same in the Tano Bora cheetah coalition. Where the dominant male Olpadan got such an injury and quickly fell to the bottom of the ranks and ultimately left. (Only to then join up with a younger male and be killed by his former coalition members, which saw them now as rivals) |
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