34 Comments

on Missing Leopard Returns!

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You have the best job in the world!

Thanks David, I agree!

Outstanding photographs and story James, very interesting and very well done! rich

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Great story Crooksie. Has been awesome seeing a new face amongst the the leopards here.
You mentioned at the start of the post that you had taken a good portrait shot of this young male. Would you mind posting it?

Jamo, the portrait I was referring to is the first picture in the post, the one of his brother (with the 3:3 spot pattern). It was during my second week of training.

Member
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Thank you for the amazing story. Very beautiful pictures.

Member
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I loved this story. You could really tell how much you enjoy your job (and this particular leopard too).

Member
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Awesome story James, thanks for sharing. Next game drive i’d like to perhaps see him too!

Member
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wonderful news and thank you for posting pics and info for us

Member
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Wow he is GORGEOUS – Do you know who fathered him? I do hope he stays in the area for you to follow his progress – your boy is back and looking good !!!

So do I Sheena, I’d love to see more of him. I’m not 100% sure who fathered him as it was before my time, but I’ll do some research and let you know.

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Excellent, I wonder why it came back?..

Thelma, I don’t think that he has come back so much as he is exploring the area looking for a territory. He has only just turned 3 years old, so he is still in that stage where he is slightly nomadic and will be looking to fill out a bit before he will start challenging for territory. He’s in a similar space to the Maxabene young males that I wrote about a few weeks back. Remember that where I saw him now is still a long way from where he grew up, so he has already ventured quite a long way!

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I have to say that the photo within the Marula Tree fork is definitley the absolute BEST photo I have ever seen of a leopard… and you guys continue to post the most incredible shots weekly….
WELL DONE!!! Truly Inspiring and reminds me how badly I need to return!

Thanks for your comment and support Samantha. He really made my life easy by posing so nicely in the tree! We hope to see you soon.

Member
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Absolutely thrilling! Thank you.

Member
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So pleased for you that your favourite returned. I’m still hoping that one day we will see Karula’s son Mixo return on Djuma’s waterhole camera, even just once so we know he’s alive and doing well !

Member
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Speaking of Mixo & a great set of photogenic genes I’d love to see this male mate with Karula’s Princess (I will not butcher her name lol). There’s a gap in age but from what I can see that’s not an issue when it comes to leopards, I domt think. I may be wrong I’m still learning. Thanks Londozi for the great blogs & pics! Keep them coming and if I can ever get my husband to agree we will be on opthe first plane out to you and Djuma! (As it sits right now I can’t even get him to camping at Lake Tahoe, California for fear he will be eaten by a black bear! I dont bother to tell him about the coyotes that travel our road at sight night here!) Thanks again for everything you do!

Member
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What a lovely “bush” story! Well done and the photography just EXQUISITE!

Member
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Thank you James. Great story. Love the picture of him in the Marula tree. He is perfectly gorgeous!

Member
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What a good looking Leopard I have come there see these Awesome animal in Loondolozi…….

Member
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Fantastic report James! Well done!

Member
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These are amazing photos James, such clarity and brilliant depth of field. What a beautiful animal, thank you for sharing them with us.

Member
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What a good looking leopard, and a great story, too. Thank you again, James, so wish I was there!

Member
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Wow, I agree. Probably the most majestic leopard photos I’ve ever seen.
You’ve really set a standard and what a beautiful specimen as a subject!
Thank you for sharing!!

Thanks Chuck, I really appreciate the comment.

Member
Guest

Well done on a great story, Crookes. I recall briefly seeing that young male with his brother when they were very young, whilst visiting your old stomping ground. So chuffed to see you following your dream. Very envious sitting in far-away Sydney…

Thanks Craig, glad to see you’re still following what’s happening here in the bush. You’ll have to come back and visit us soon. When I started it wasn’t uncommon to see the two cubs, the Ravenscourt female and the Xinzele male (cub from the previous litter) all in one area, I’m sure you’ll remember those days.

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Hi James,
I have another question thats kind of unrelated but it is about another leopard who has not been seen for quite a while now.. She has been missing for over a year now I believe… so she is probably gone.. (I am of course referring to the Nyeleti 4:4 female.
I was just wondering what you think her fate might have been if she is gone. I know there are many possibilities but the reason I ask is because although it is well known she has been missing, it is still open ended (I’ve not heard any ideas as to what might have happened to her on this or any other blogs).
If she is still alive, maybe she is missing because she is in another part north of the reserve where her mother’s old territory was? If Nyeleti’s mom isn’t around she might have moved north and inherited that territory especially because she might be feeling some pressure from her maturing daughter. (this is just an opinion idk though)
If she’s gone, maybe the reason was fatal injuries from lions or hyenas? Idk, I just want some closure though as to what happened if possible.

Member
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Thank you for the wonderful photos. I hope to visit Londolozi again to see these magnificent animals.

Member
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You have the best job in the world!

Member
Guest

HI JAMES, I AGREE THAT YOU HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE WORLD. YOUR SHOTS ARE MAGNIFICENT! I ALSO HOPE THAT HE STAYS ON LONDOLOZI AS I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HIM.
KEEP US UPDATED OF THE DEVELOPMENTS WITH HIS TERRITORY.
KIND REGARDS, TED.

Member
Guest

I love your shots of Ravencourt! You captured every emotion of the leopard. Good thing that you saw him again after being lost for quite some time. I’ve been wanting to go to the Sabi Sand private game reserve to experience the wild but for now, I will settle for these photos. Thanks for sharing.

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