Leopard Directory

[Tshokwane]

Credits to Londolozi Blog.

Robson's 4:4 Male

2010 - present.

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Unique Markings: Elongated forehead.

*This image is copyright of its original author

This rangy male is rather an enigma, having arrived on Londolozi in the mid- to latter parts of 2014 and staying mainly in the western areas of the reserve, around the Sparta/Ravenscourt break and Mhangeni Donga. Sightings of a relatively unrelaxed male in the block south of Ximpalapala koppie from around the same time are also believed to be him.


His skittish nature leads us to suspect that he originated in the Kruger Park and grew up not being used to vehicles approaching him. First reports of this male were in the north of the Sabi Sands as a sub-adult in 2012.

Since 2014 this male has expanded his territory massively, being found from beyond the Maxabene River in the south to the upper reaches of the Manyelethi River in the north, operating mainly in the western portions of Sparta. His territory is roughly the same size as the Camp Pan male’s once was, despite the 4:4 male being a significantly smaller animal.

He is believed to be the father of the Mashaba female’s cub and the February 2016 litter of the Nkoveni female. He has also been seen in the company of the Nhlanguleni female and her cubs, and although she was seen mating with the Nyelethi male in the west last year, at least the 4:4 male believes himself to be the litter’s father.

Sightings of this leopard are irregular at best, as he is reticent to patrol along roads, preferring to stay in drainage lines and thickets. When females in the area have kills hoisted, it is not uncommon to find the male feeding on the kill the next morning, having smelt it out during the night.

In most sightings this leopard is nervous of more than two vehicles, but sometimes he relaxes tremendously for unknown reasons. We hope he relaxes more as sightings become more frequent.

Territory

This leopard has a large territory that encompasses Sparta, predominantly north of the Maxabene all the way to central Marthly. Because this area is so large, he moves constantly and covers big distances in order to scent mark and patrol the area, thereby protecting it from potential male contenders.

2014

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2015

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2016

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