Due to the perfect habitat and many years of hard work and habituation, we are lucky enough to have been viewing incredible leopard behaviour on Londolozi since the 1970’s. As a consequence of these leopards becoming relaxed, we have been able to, over time, follow the various lineages and document the lives of individual leopards. This has provided us with an amazing amount of information.
As a result, we have built up an incredibly loyal base of guests who return time and time again, to spend hours viewing and photographing these beautiful animals. One such couple is Jos and Yvette Van Bommel, who have been returning to us since 2002. Jos and Yvette take a particular interest in leopards and pride themselves in being able to distinguish various leopards due to their spot patterning. How exactly does this work?
Although leopards can be identified a number of different ways, the most commonly accepted and easiest way is through the use of the unique formation of spot patterns on their faces. These are the spots above the upper line of whiskers and we look first at the right side of the leopards face before moving to the left side.
For example, the Piva male is a 3:2 leopard, as shown here.
During Jos and Yvette’s last trip to Londolozi, myself and tracker Elmon Mhlongo were doing our very best to find them some new leopards that they had never seen before. We set out to find the newly-established Piva male, who had moved into Londolozi from south of our property. Thankfully, due primarily to Elmon’s almost supernatural talents as a tracker, we we were successful, thereby adding another name to the long list of leopards viewed here by the Van Bommels.
The Piva male drags a recently caught impala to the safety of cover to feed. This particular leopard is so relaxed that he allows us insight in special moments such as this. Photo: Amy Attenborough
After spending a wonderful morning with the Piva male and capturing some beautiful photographs, we began to chat about this leopard’s lineage and where his mother and father had come from. Immediately I could see Yvette’s thoughts start to turn over. Based on the Piva male’s age, we became very excited, as Yvette believed they had viewed this male leopard as a cub with his mother many years before, on one of our neighbouring properties.
The Piva male gazes up at a carcass that he has hoisted high into a tree. By hoisting their carcasses, leopards reduce the risk of losing the meat to other predators, meaning they can take their time feeding. Photo: Amy Attenborough
On our return to the lodge, the laptop was quickly whipped out and we began to scour through years of sightings to see if Yvette was right. Upon clicking on the first photo, there in front of us was the Piva male’s unmistakable face, just five years younger.
The Piva male at just a few months old. Having only ever having seen him as a robust, fully grown male, it was fantastic to see what he looked like as a youngster. Photo: Jos Van Bommel
Despite having always enjoyed being able to identify leopards and following their ever-changing movements, I had never fully appreciated just how important an understanding of these lineages and patterns could be. Although these animals would continue to do what they do and move as they move without us understanding the intricacies of their behaviour, being even slightly more aware of their histories definitely deepens the relationship or at the least the sense of kinship that we and our guests have with them. Without being able to identify and distinguish them from one another, we would never know the intimate details of their stories or how it is that they all fit together.
In this photograph you can see the unmistakable shape and spacing of the three spots on the right side of his face. Despite now being older and bigger, the spot pattern remains unchanged, which is how we were able to successfully identify the leopard. Photo: Jos Van Bommel
As the Van Bommels arrive today for their second trip this year, I am sure one of the first leopards we will look for will be the Piva male. Having documented him just a few months ago, our guests will be able to see what new stories his scars will be able to tell us, what his location will say about his ever-shifting territory and what his physique will say about his life over the last few months.
So next time you have a look at the spot patterns on a leopard’s face, try not to think of it so much as a random line of spots. Instead, think of it as the gateway to a story about the animal’s life.
Directly descended from the original mother leopard and therefore part of the royal lineage of Londolozi.
Written by Amy Attenborough, Londolozi Ranger
Photographed by Amy Attenborough and Jos Van Bommel, Londolozi Guest
Great blog Amy the blogs and FB make it alot easier and too follow the stories of these animals whcih is really great.
It is lovely to remember seeing a leopard as a cub, and now see it again as a mature leopard. Great blog Amy.
Great blog Amy and beautiful images. The Piva male was a gorgeous little cub and has grown into a stunning adult Leopard. It makes me so happy to see these beautiful animals survive to adulthood and go on to thrive and allow us the privilege of being able to spend some time with them.
Great looking boy like his parents
I had the pleasure of being in the company of Jos, Yvette & Rivka last year at Pioneer Camp. Not only were they lovely people, but their knowledge only enhanced my experience. And the expertise of Elmon was invaluable. Because of them, I am returning next year for my 75th birthday
Faascinating story and wonderful to see this young male now as a fully fledged adult. He looks like an amazing leopard.
He is a very handsome boy indeed, so cute as a cub. Thanks for sharing this Amy
Beautiful images ! Have enjoyed your daily readings for the past month! Am SO looking forward to arriving on Sunday!
Great blog Amy. I really enjoyed seeing the shot of Piva male as cub and then then the shot of an older Piva in a similar pose. I think it is important to keep track of who is related to who. Kudos to the Van Bommels for making the connection. Every leopard has a story.
Great story Ams! I was lucky enough to also see the Piva male when he was a little cub. It’s wonderful going back in time like Jos and Yvette have done!
Awesome story! The wealth of knowledge and history is one of the many reasons Londolozi is so special.
A true survivor. May he reign for many years. THanks for the write up.
My favorite londolozi leopard – how awesome to see him as a cub ! Thank you. Can’t wait to see him again in May.