In my previous blog post I wrote about the impending decline of the Inyathini male’s dominance at Londolozi.
Part of this decline is due to younger males rising up and expanding their territories, squeezing the older male out of his former range. In writing that post and reflecting on the rise of all these younger males, one seemed to stand out for me. The Flat Rock male has grown in size and stature since arriving at Londolozi in 2016 and has taken control of one of the most productive leopard territories in the region. His arrival into the area and eventual expansion across the reserve has been remarkable and deserves a bit more recognition than I initially thought.
A dominant male leopard over the majority of the north. He originally took over the 4:4 Male's territory when he died.
With the death of the Robson’s male in October of 2016, a valuable territory was left vacant along the southern banks of the Sand River in the area directly west of the Londolozi camps. Given its proximity to the river, with multiple densely vegetated drainage lines flowing through, the territory was prime real estate for a leopard – not only was the habitat full of prey species but also home to a couple of territorial female leopards which he could court. The Flat Rock male at the time was only 3 years old and, as text books would have it, not quite mature enough to establish himself a stable territory and start breeding, let alone be in a position as perfect as the one described above. However, in late 2016, while living out his young, nomadic phase and roaming the Sabi Sand Reserve from the south, the Flat Rock male found himself spending more and more time in this vacant area, generally unchallenged by any other males.
Instinctually, he began to settle down in the area and defend a portion of this vacant yet small territory as his own. He began scent marking and patrolling through the river bed while familiarizing himself with the the lie of the land. Physically, he was small and still had to grow which meant that if he was to be physically challenged by another older male, he would likely come off second best. Therefore he kept his new territory small and avoided the attentions of surrounding males as much as possible.
By midway through 2017 he had now established himself properly. He removed any other male lineages by killing the Nhlanguleni, Nkoveni and Mashaba females’ litters at the time and began mating with these same females himself. The Sand River formed the perfect natural boundary to the north of his territory which kept the huge Anderson male somewhat at bay while he was also preoccupied with a much larger territory and very seldom ventured south across the river. To the south and the west of the Flat Rock male’s territory, other larger and older males such as the Inyathini, Piva, Nyaleti and Makhothini males also held well-established, large territories and, for the most part didn’t find it necessary to encroach north into the younger Flat Rock male’s domain. Conditions couldn’t have been better for the young male and he quickly developed a strong presence in the area.
Four years later and we now consider the Flat Rock male to arguably be the most dominant male leopard on Londolozi (based on the size of his range). The Nkoveni and Nhlanguleni females have successfully raised the Plaque Rock female and Finfoot and Nkhuwa females respectively all of who we presume were fathered by the Flat Rock male – a great testament to how well he has defended the area from foreign and nomadic males. Those same females are now again preparing to raise a new generation of (presumably) the Flat Rock male’s offspring. In addition to this, he has more recently been seen mating with the Ingrid Dam, Piccadilly, Mashaba and Makomsava females over the last few months which is a sure sign that his dominance is spreading further afield. This has been quite evident in the movements we are now seeing him make. Initially he expanded in an easterly direction along the southern bank of the river and is now seen beyond our western and eastern boundary lines around the river. Around the same time, he began to stretch further south as the Inyathini male began to struggle in the south-east, while towards the south-west, a much smaller density of male leopards allowed for less competition in that area.
His most recent move has possibly been his most significant though as he has begun to venture north of the Sand River. The gradual decline of the Anderson male (who we haven’t seen for nearly 2 months) opened up a massive tract of land to the north of the river which the Flat Rock male has since begun to make his own. He has, in the meantime bulked up into a large, powerful male leopard and, at 7 years old continues to expand and defend his territory with great success.
Most impressed with the Flat Rock Male. Taking what he wants. Dominance does rule. By the way the Robson’s male was one good looking leopard. please keep us updated. This sounds like changing times ahead.
Gorgeous Leopard!! We saw him as a cub in 2014. Amazing how he has grown!
Nice story
Very interesting! I love the dynamics of the leopard population, except for the killing of cubs, which I understand is an important step. 😢 The Flat Rock male is an impressive sight. He obviously knows what he is doing. More power to him!
Chris, taking what he wants, one good looking leopard – I am impressed by the Flat Rock Male🤗
We saw Flat Rock in early August 2019 at dusk in the river bed on a Nyala carcass WITH Nhulanguleni and both Young Females!! All 4 together and quite peaceable. Flat Rock came in carefully to where one of the young girls was feeding on the ground,and gently pulled the carcass away from her…. no aggression or teeth. She relinquished her spot and went close by to groom and rest. Her sister was sleeping nearby as was Nhulanguleni. Flat Rock fed for awhile and then dragged and hoisted the carcass into a big tree. He came down from the tree and stayed nearby. Almost immediately one hyena arrived and then another. All 3 females zipped up into trees….two into the same tree as the carcass and one in an adjacent tree. Flat Rock padded away. Nhulanguleni fed. One youngster draped herself and slept. Then the other young girl started feeding after her mother was done and draped nearby. We left as full dark fell. What a stupendous leopard family dinner time sighting! Flat Rock was calm, tolerant, and a good daddy. It was like he hoisted the carcass for the family knowing that the hyenas would be invading shortly! I was so impressed by him and hope that he will be dominant and successful for a long long time!
Sounds like an amazing afternoon and evening spent with those animals. What a privilege!
Thanks Chris for keeping us updated on the shift of territory dominance within Londolozi’s leopard population. I find it curious that after the death of the Robson male, the Inyathini male didn’t move to take over more territory. Seems the Tortoise Pan male could have moved in, but chose to go south. The creation of leopards’ territories is fascinating to me, given they have no maps to follow. Looking forward to more updates.
When the Robson male died in late 2016, Inyathini was still in the southern edges of Londolozi, and the Piva male (who was between Robson and Inyathini) expanded his territory tooking over the southern parts of the Robson male’s territory not taken over by Flat Rock. When the Piva male died in August 2017, Inyathini expanded his territory northwards while Flat Rock expanded eastwards
Great story of the evolution of Flat Rock. We were visiting when he began to assert himself in 2017 & I was so sad when he killed the 2 cubs of Nkoveni. He’s emerged as quite a powerful male. Thanks for the history lesson, Chris!
The concise thoroughness of this compilation about the “Flat Rock Male” is so enriching and edifying. Being a senior who has returned back to college, I love receiving the rangers daily stories (writings) as it a wonderful “get a-away” from the norm of my academic studies, while at the same time, the blogs are so inspiring upon all that you guys share! The pictures compliment the story that makes one want to know and learn more. – Just brilliant!
Heart warming to see this gorgeous boy establish himself on Londolozi. Does anyone know his lineage?
He was born to the Porcupine female in the Tinga concession in the Kruger National Park in 2014, just south of the Sabi Sands and we suspect his father was the Mbavala male.
I always enjoy these leopard and lion political updates, but especially as another visit to Londolozi slowly approaches as I note the goings on. Recognized Grant’s jumping leopard photo immediately as he told us it was his favorite photo he had ever taken when he guided us in 2018. Was fortunate enough to get a glimpse of the sneaky Anderson Male in the dry Sand River basin that year as well, still considered the leopard king at the time. Will be monitoring as always (and taking notes) as my next visit approaches
a wonderful success rate for the flat Rock male, what a handsome young man.
Mary and Julie
Saw Flat Rock in 2017 and again in 2019. His incredible growth and strength were definitely noticeable.
Has Anderson been confirmed dead (assumed) or is he still listed as missing?
Hi Earline, we have recently (within the last day or so) received reports from the northern sector of the Sabi Sands that he has in fact died. I am sure we will release a more official post on it in the next week or two once we know the definite details.
Hi Chris, is there a blog article about the naming of the Finfoot and Nkhuwa females I could learn which one is which? Also wondering if the Leopards of Londolozi website will be updated to include them for future reference?
Hi Michael, these young females have very recently been named and a post will be released soon on the thinking behind the names and how exactly to distinguish between them.
Thanks Chris. I have lots of photos of them and would also like to have that ID info. I also have photos of Plaque Rock female after interaction with Kunyuma so want to know her ID features.
Flat Rock is magnificent and possibly our current favourite! We also recently had a great sighting of the White Dam Male (?) and were fortunate to spend time observing his movements – looking forward through your excellent blogs, to following his progress. Thank you for sharing these brilliant photos which bring back the best memories.