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Leopard
Leopards of Sabi Sands
Leopards of Sabi Sands
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Leopards of Sabi Sands
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Credits to Pete Thorpe - Londolozi.
Leopard Kisses Buffalo: Unbelievable!: As we approached a herd of 80+ African Buffalo, tracker Bennet Mathonsi shouted, “Leopard! Leopard!”. Next to the buffalo? Surely not… He was right though. A young male leopard was a mere 10 metres from our game viewer and only about 30 metres from the front line of the herd, most of which were still lying down from their night of rest. The leopard dropped into its shoulders, disappearing into the long grass, and began a stealthy approach on the buffalo herd. It was trying to hunt!  *This image is copyright of its original author A bit ambitious, one might say? We thought so too. A leopard of this size, probably weighing in at around 40-50 kg is no match for an adult buffalo of 700-800 kg. It was most likely after a calf, of which we spotted only one out of the herd of 80+ adults. The young leopard blew its cover as it moved in too fast. Four or five massive buffalos trotted straight towards the leopard to assess the threat. The young male realised the situation it had just walked into was imminently hazardous to its health, and made a very hasty retreat to a fallen over knobthorn tree; the only one for quite some distance in the open grasslands. Luckily for the leopard, the tree was just above head height for the buffalos, allowing for a relatively safe place of refuge.  *This image is copyright of its original author Not for long though, as soon the leopard was surrounded by about 40 sets of horns, all slashing up and down trying to reach it. He scuttled to the highest branches, out of reach of the large herd, and began to wait it out. After about half an hour, a few buffalo bulls were still milling about under the spotted cat, while the bulk of the herd was starting to lose interest. The leopard seemed to become a bit impatient, or curious; one can’t be sure. Bravely (or foolishly), it started to reach down with its front paw, towards one particular bull that was trying to sniff at it. This brought back memories of when our domestic cat at home would jump onto an elevated platform to get away from the house dog, and swat at its face with outstretched claws to try and drive it away. Not quite the same size of animals but similar behaviour from the cat!  *This image is copyright of its original author Amazingly, as the buffalo reached as high as it could to sniff the leopard, the leopard pulled its paw back and leant forward. The faces of the buffalo and leopard drew closer and closer until their noses actually touched! We couldn’t believe our eyes… Both animals seemed a bit startled and pulled away from each other hastily.  *This image is copyright of its original author Eventually the leopard decided to take a gap. It ran down to the lower part of the tree, hissed at the herd and jumped away from them, sprinting into the cover of the long grass unscathed.  *This image is copyright of its original author A quick snarl at the buffalo to tell them to keep their distance.  *This image is copyright of its original author And a leap to safety as a gap opens up. One can see all the oxpeckers erupting off the buffalo behind the trunk, as the herd was obviously started by the leopard’s sudden movements.  *This image is copyright of its original author This young male will most likely think twice before attempting to hunt buffalo again. At Londolozi, adult male leopards have successfully killed buffalo calves amongst a herd in the past. However, adult lions have been killed when trying to pick buffalo out of a herd, which highlights the ability and willingness of buffalo to defend their youngsters from these predators. Video filmed by Bennet Mathonsi
Credits to Jess Fensham.
Dayone vs Ravenscourt. Ravenscourt is the one in the back that jumps on Dayone. Click on it to play.
Credits to Johan de la Rey - Leopard Hills.
Dayone finding a good vantage point in the river after his encounter with Ravenscourt.  *This image is copyright of its original author
 Hosana Male Leopard was seen this afternoon (April 4th 2018) with his (possible) father Tingana, who is enjoying a retirement, according to the Djuma guides, on Chitwa Chitwa lodge, as a new male Hukumuri has been taking over Tingana's territory. Hosana occasionally follows his father around, and has been seen following his older sister Thandi before. Photo credits to SafariLive (WildEarth) *screen shots*
Credits to Stuart Buy - Leopard Hills.
Some photos of the interaction between Ravenscourt and Dayone.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits to Francois Roisslee - Sabi Sabi.
The dominant male leopard of the area decided to roll around in some buffalo dung before stalking some impala.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Photo Credits to Heinrich Neumeyer This is Hukumuri male leopard. He is a funny character; one of his ears is floppy, he has a really long tongue, and one toe on his paw is extra long making his paw prints easy to track for the Djuma trackers. His name means chicken medicine, and he is taking over a large territory from Tingana and has been in a fight with Anderson male, nothing too bad tho. He has mated twice with the young and beautiful Xidulu female, however she has had no sign of pregnancy. He might have killed Shadow and her daughter, neither have been seen for a long time, but no ranger or guide is a 100% sure it was him. Mr. Neumeyer has said upon taking that photo "It was Hukumuri, the colossal new male leopard in the Northern Sabi Sands block." But he really is not that big according to all the other guides that view him on regular bases. Many have said that he is stocky and muscular, but not as big as old man Tingana. Here is a image of Tingana to compare, credits to Scott Dyson. In any case, neither male is near the actual colossal size of Anderson or the Camp Pan male. But Chicken Medicine is good news for north of Sabi Sands, and Xidulu, because he brings in new genetics... and character!
Credits to Gert Smit - Elephant Plains.
Anderson male.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits to Nick Kleer - Londolozi.
The Anderson male moments after a mating session with the Nanga female.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits to PJD Photography. Xivambalana Male Leopard. Karula’s son. His sister Xivindzi either moved off into Kruger or drowned in 2012.
Credits to Steve Faulconbridge - SafariLive.
Cat Report: 31 March - 6 April Hosana, the little chief, continues his movements crossing back and forth between Djuma, Torchwood and Chitwa Chitwa. A possible cautionary play so as to avoid the new male around Djuma, Hukumuri and other larger males to the South and East? Who knows, however, he looks settled in these areas, following similar pathways to his father, the Duke of Djuma, Tingana. Both cats having been seen together behind Chitwa Dam, the older cat exerting his dominance merely through posturing. This is not the first time, and I doubt it will be the last. Tingana has been moving between Djuma and Chitwa in a similar fashion, not roaming too far, spending his days in and around Chitwa lodge itself. Possibly a cautionary play for the old Duke? Does he perhaps have another trick up his sleeve, or has he taken his retirement to heart, set not to patrol his old lands or defend his lineage? We have not seen this mighty leopard on a kill in some time. He has, however, visited the the elephant carcass on more than one occasion, paying no heed to the feeding hyena. The Xidulu female seems set to claim a territory within Djuma, she was caught up in a physical territorial dispute with another female leopard. The case is still open as to who it may have been, as both Thandi and Shadow’s names were used in describing the sighting. Nonetheless, amidst the blood and fur that covered the road after the skirmish a new debutant to Djuma emerged onto the scene, sending the two females scattering. The following morning Tristan got a very quick glimpse of Xidulu as she nearly tackled a jackal before scampering off west into Simbambili. A new young male entered the scene from the north amidst the aforementioned territorial encounter between Thandi or was it Shadow and Xidulu? This new male identified as Kwatile, meaning angry, originates from Ngala to the north. Kwatile is easily recognized by his small stature - his size does not fit his apparent 4 years of age. Does this small male pose any threat to the power of Hukumuri and is he looking to stake a claim to the old Dukes territory? This very exciting new male did not show any signs of scent marking, and did not remain for long. After a failed attempt at a young warthog he moved off west into the sunset. Hukumuri, whose eyes stir fear in the hearts of many, is likely responsible for the movement and current dynamics within Djuma. This male leopard continues to roam unchallenged, scent marking all the way through Djuma and beyond staking his Claim. Tracks of a leopard cub have been found, and we wait with bated breath these coming days for signs of Tlalamba. Thandi was found patrolling the southern boundary of Djuma, walking with much purpose and determination, scent marking where Hukumuri has left his mark. A possible indication that her cub is no more? We are not sure, Tlalamba has not been seen in a few weeks. Thandi’s efforts are either one of defiance against the incursion by this new male or may be as a result of her coming into oestrus? However, her efforts may in fact be as a result of the activity of the young Xidulu female, although the truth of that altercation have yet to surface. Thandi does not appear injured in anyway which one would expect after a physical altercation.
Thandi and cub on Djuma dam this past morning!! (Previously guides and trackers had thought she lost the cub)
PC to Tusk Photograhy Shadow... and cub. Thought lost in a fight with Hukumuri... Shadow was Mvula’s daughter. The old man is presumed dead as well but from old age. Here’s another one of Shadow PC fotoart de chalain Kunyuma Male, also known as Senegal Bush in Mala Mala Mvula’s offspring (and of course Karula’s) PC Andrew Dankwerts |
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