It was the most bizarre sight that I had ever seen! I really had to pinch myself to be convinced that what I was seeing was real. Completely unexpected and out of this world, my hands shook as I watched it unfold…
We were inspecting two African Fish Eagles perched high up in the tree along the Sand River. What caught my attention was the sound they were making. I had never heard a Fish Eagle make that sound. I was mentioning to my guests how these iconic birds had a nest nearby in the highest point of a massive Jackalberry. There were currently quite large chicks residing inside, so I thought we would have a look. The sight in my binoculars shocked me! Just when you think that you had seen it all…think again.
One of the two African Fish Eagles sitting in the adjacent trees making a strange call. They looked on in horror…
A leopard was sitting on the messy platform nest of the African Fish Eagles!
We watched gobsmacked as this large male tore apart and ate both the African Fish Eagle youngsters. The ‘chicks’ were large, but obviously not old enough to fly away. It was sad, yet intriguing to watch as he plucked the birds and fed for about half an hour. The thing which made this already incredible sighting all the more remarkable, was the sheer height of the nest. I estimate it to be close on 20 – 25 meters above the ground. Seeing a leopard sprawled out on a bird nest with the parents flying above was phenomenal. I now knew what the strange sounds from the Fish Eagles meant. It was a mournful, hopeless and desperate cry. They had just lost their offspring to the most unusual of predators.
This picture gives you an idea of just how high the African Fish Eagle nest is. It is found in the highest reaches of a very large Jackalberry tree on the northern banks of the Sand River. For graphic representation I have circled the leopard on the nest in red.
A closer view of the leopard eating the African Fish Eagles in the nest
Leopards are known for their catholic diet and literature reviews by the likes of Hayward et al. (2006) and Bailey (1993) have shown that so far 92 species of prey have been recorded in the leopard’s diet. I stand to be corrected, but I think that what we were watching was quite possibly the first account of the 93rd!
Once he had finished with his meal, he had to begin the very tricky descent. Video footage gives you an idea about just how high he was, and just how risky and complicated this maneuver was.
The question as to why a leopard would risk his life and go to such great heights for a relatively small meal was answered when we got a better look at him. Completely unknown to Londolozi Rangers and Trackers this male was old…and by old I mean ancient. Estimates fall between 17 and 20 years. Upon retunring to camp I sent pictures of this ‘unidentified’ male to various lodges and rangers within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. It became clear that there have been a handful of sightings of this male throughout the entire Sabi Sands over the last year: first in the north near Gowrie, then to the far east, then into the western sector and finally deep south before arriving out of nowhere in the middle of Londolozi. No-one knows his origins but he was presumably a territorial male from Kruger who’s been ousted and pushed West. He’s obviously nomadic now, moving over a huge area and trying to keep under the radar from other resident males. If he gets caught he will be killed!
I was so busy enjoying the moment and attempting to capture elements of it on film that I actually forgot to take many pictures. Once on the ground this was the only close up I got of him – although his face is unmistakable and is forever ingrained in my mind
Without a territory he is at the stage of having to scrounge around for his meals. This ‘scavenging’ means that he is prepared to go to great lengths and take huge risks to get his next meal. It is wonderful to see an ‘old bullet’ like this and another character for the Leopards of Londolozi. As we lost him heading downstream into the Sand River I felt a tingle of admiration for this ‘unknown’ male. I doubt I will ever see him again; unknowingly he had just provided a handful of fortunate onlookers the most fascinating, unusual, remarkable and memorable of leopard behavior and interactions. Old boy I will never forget you! Thank you
I have ‘borrowed’ a picture of the old male who provided the most incredible leopard sighting of my career in the bush from another ranger – Dylan Brant. Although I don’t have a date for this picture I believe it was taken some time ago. It shows so wonderfully the age of this majestic beast. Oh the things he must have seen, and done, in his lifetime.
If anyone has seen behaviour like this before, or alternatively has any stories or information on this male, please comment below!
The lonesome figure of this ‘mystery’ male peering out over the granite rocks in front of Pioneer Camp, Londolozi. A difficult existence in which everywhere you walk is foreign; not having a clue where your next meal will come from…
Written, filmed and photographed by Adam Bannister
To have reached this age, this leopard probably has a host of odd practices. He certainly is climber extaordinary. Thank you for sharing this story.
Thanks for the amazing incredible experiences at Londolzi!! I just returned home to the States and miss you all already! I can’t wait to return there someday soon. What a magical place!
Patti
Exiting!!!!
Hi Adam
We witnessed a very similar account in the TImbavati, it was a female about 19 months old, also climed to the top of a no thorn, and ate a chick….
Hey Greg. Awesome. Do you recall what type of chick it was?
Way to go Grampa.
What amazing footage……actually held my breathe on his trek down the tree! He is a gorgeous old man!!
Hi Adam,
Absoutely Stunning Male….His Features are incredible & like you I will probablly always remember his Handsome face….The knowledge in those eyes are incredible!!
Thank you,
Quite the old boy! Glad you caught the special moments.
Wow!!! Amazing pics. Very sharp and clear and real, specially the one with the leopard standing in the riverbed. Wonderful.
Thank you. 🙂
Adam I have never read anything of this behaviour before!! A first for me. Thanks for sharing. The video was amazing and well worth the *wait*, impatient as I was 🙂 When I saw him on the Wildearth camera on Nov 10 2011 he appeared to have a swelling on the right jaw at the back. It looks now as if that has gone: bad tooth, infection ???? I have several pictures if you are interested. He also looked quite thin then but appears to have put on some weight, unless that was the effect of two fisheagle chicks
PS I do like the name *Old Boy* – in my mind shows affection/admiration/respect. Is there a Shangaan word for *Old Boy*, something like ??? medala???
Hi Lyn,
I tried looking up that word for Old boy as was unable to find anything that refers to Medala, but I did find a word in the Shangaan language that means Identity & Honour & the word for that is “Layani”
I actually think this would be very suitable for this Handsome Male…But I do agree I like “Old Boy”
Adam what are your thoughts??
Long live ‘Old Boy’ 🙂
Tammy, I’ve been looking for a Shangaan dictionary. Can I ask where you found a place to look this up? – Kiki
Hi Adam
Also a fish eagle ! Tree looks about a similar height
Wow. Wow. Wow.
Thank you Adam, it was worth waiting … I particularly appreciate the emotions in your blog and the last photo significance. Even if he ever get identified, I wish the name “Old Boy” or Medala as suggested by Lyn, will stay between us.
In just one year or so, the amount of “new” behaviours in the world of Leopards is incredible … just think of seeing Yambilu-Jordaan “babysitting” his last cubs, Xivindzi and Xivambalana, in the company of his older son, Induna … then all those threesome matings of Tingana male … etc.
Is this because you, rangers, are telling and sharing more and more about your experiences with leopards? Is this because there is an new awareness of the life of the “elusive leopard” that is now permitted by the internet? …
Maybe someday Someone will come up with the news that “Old Boy” has passed away, and we will sit and tell when, where, with whom we were with, when we first saw Him or heard about Him.
Claire-M.
Wonderful Claire 🙂
Hi Adam,
Is this the male you saw? https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2661395099891&set=o.131484664465&type=3&theater
I think he is known as Mafufunyane or Jordaan at Sabi Sands (but I’m not sure). Have a look and tell me what you think!
Abby Maquera
Abby, it is the same leopard, but he is not Mafufunyane nor Jordaan.
The old boys still are still the best boys.
LET’S COMPARE THE WHISKERS LINES ABBY…
Why didn’t the parents try to fight off the leopard…at least try to knock him off the high perch, distract him, make him lose his balance?
Amazing Adam! you really capture the greater moments here!
His sighting at Gowrie in 2011 by Tara, Seb and Eugene was confusing, because Tara was sure it was Mufufunyane but then started questioning it because his color was too light.. this leopard was there with the cubs Xivambalana and Xivindzi, but the cubs kept their distance.. Muf came along and chased the old guy and then went on his way.. the old guy was said to have been the Marthly male, not the one know as Tyson but the old Marthly Male.. There is a video of his sighting at Gowrie.
I started calling him Pilgrim after that but Old Boy is just perfect.
Thank you for the amazing story and the video.. I hope he can eek out a life for himself for a while longer. Wish he could tell us of his journeys
And it was definately worth waiting for this story
One Mr Arin Ghosh raised this query? ……. Unknown indeed. Leopards are known to take their terrestrial kills up on a tree and eat / hide there. Never heard that they would be arboreal hunters as well. Is this an aberration or an emerging behavior? Someone need to investigate.
Could some throw light on this?
thnx
HI ADAM,
IT WAS GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN LAST WEEK! I HEARD ABOUT THIS INCREDIBLE SIGHTING WHEN I WAS THERE AND WAS HOPING THAT YOU WOULD PUT UP A POSTING. THANKS FOR SHARING THE STORY AND THE PICTURES WITH US ALL. IT IS A TRULY AMAZING SIGHTING, SO LONG MAY HE STILL LIVE!
THANKS.
KIND REGARDS,
TED.
Hi Adam
Interesting story you have told here. I photographed a young and very healthy male leopard, perhaps between 2 and 2.5 years old, climb a jackalberry tree that I also estimated to be 25m plus in height, and feed on the single chick of a whitebacked vulture pair, in August 2010, at Chitabe in the Okavango Delta. The images and story were published in Africa Birds and Birding magazine not too long after that.
regards
Grant
Adam, This goes along with what Fred and I had been discussing this weekend in relationship to the American Eagle breast stroke You Tube piece. If you haven’t seen it, check it out.
Basically, we tend to limit a species’ behavior to what we have commonly observed. We need to take into account that they have an intelligence that goes beyond what they have been taught about hunting – and improvise.
The fact that we can now record unusual behavior and post it for the world to see will start stretching what we consider normal behavior in many species. The posts here show that these things are no longer isolated incidents. Look forward to seeing you in May!
Thanks for the wonderful comment. You are 100 % about how with each day we are opening up our minds about what is considered the ‘norm’
Very Nicely Written!!! Cheers!
Could it be the Wallingford Male leopard he poses just like Camp pan male which means this male might be CP father