That was the first thought that popped into my head a few days ago when we came across the Senegal Bush male lying in the middle of the road in an area of the reserve that used to be part of the core territory of the Inyathini Male.
Sightings of the Senegal Bush male are not a new thing anymore and we have been seeing him regularly for the better part of a year. However, we can’t really say the same thing for the Inyathini male, and now I couldn’t stop myself from wondering if his days are numbered.
We came across the Senegal Bush Male lying right in the middle of the road one afternoon. Ironically, the road runs parallel to the Inyathini riverbed which is where the Inyathini Male derived his name from back in 2014.
The Senegal Bush male starts to show signs of movement and shortly after this photo was taken he stood up and moved even further into the territory of the Inyathini Male.
The Inyathini male is roughly 12 years old which would put him about 4 years older than his counterpart.
The reason why we don’t know the exact age difference is because we really do not know anything about where the Inyathini male came from. He was first viewed on Londolozi in 2014 and initially he was rather nervous in the presence of the game viewers.
This led us to speculate that he must have been born somewhere in the Kruger National Park in an area where there weren’t as many game drives going around each day. Luckily for us he soon relaxed enough for us to view him from the vehicles and established a large territory for himself in the majority of the southern and eastern parts of the reserve. With a distinct scar on his lip as a result from a fight he had with the late Piva Male back in 2015 and a tail that is unusually short he is instantly recognizable.
The Inyathini male in his prime.
The Inyathini male is still territorial and can be seen here scent marking. His territory has shrunk considerably though.
The Senegal Bush male was first seen on Londolozi in 2016 as a young male in the northern parts of the reserve. This was only for a brief period of time before he moved further away and began establishing territory to the east of Londolozi. As he became older, bigger and stronger he began to expand his territory and in 2018 we started to view him once more along the Sand River. By the end of last year he had shifted his territory southwards and began encroaching into the territory of the Inyathini Male and has continued to do so up to now.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
The Senegal Bush male was born in November 2012 which makes him almost 8 years old.
This is the only type of view we used to get of the SBM; usually long distance in the Sand River.
Male leopards tend to live to about 15 years in the wild (if they’re lucky) and so it would be safe to say that the Inyathini male is entering into his twilight years. At this stage of his life it would be expected that he would be less confident getting into any physical disputes with younger and stronger males. His best chance of survival would be to relinquish parts of his large territory to the Senegal Bush male and focus his efforts on defending a smaller territory.
This is all theory though and we have seen time and time again how you can never completely write off an elderly leopard. There is most certainly a lot of fight left in him and that survival instinct of his will be stronger now more than ever.
The Inyathini Male (In the foreground) is no stranger to territorial disputes. This photo was taken of him with the Flat Rock Male (background) some months back.
I think this story is far from over and we shouldn’t read too much into the fact that we have not been seeing the Inyathini male as often as we did in the past. Whether we witness it or not there will be more encounters between these two leopards and we will continue to try and wrap our heads around the dynamics that are playing out in front of us and feel compelled to try and explain it.
We get it right sometimes but are also often left very surprised about how these stories end up…
Another leopard who originated in the Kruger National Park, he has established a large territory in the south eastern areas of Londolozi.
James, how many male leopards are territorial at Londolozi currently?
Hi Marinda, there are about 10 dominant males that we currently see. The sizes of their territories varies quite a bit and there is a little bit of overlap between some of them.
Very interesting reading and I too will always respect the skill, strength, speed and cunning of an older leopard, in this case the Inyathini male. Experience is a great teacher and although he may be relinquishing territory to a degree, he will still be a fast, strong and powerful force to be reckoned with.
Hi Annie, you are 100% right! He still has some fight left in him
Wow absolutely amazing and awesome blog thanks for sharing hopefully they’ll stay away and not fight but only time will tell. Please keep us posted. And please continue these amazing blogs absolutely love them. Great job everyone that’s involved.
Hi Brian, we definitely will. Glad to hear you are enjoying them!
James, what a wonderful blog – I wonder what will happen to the Inyathini Male Leopard?
I have seen this Leopard while we were at Londolozi in 2017, and 2018
Hi Joan, I suppose time will tell but we will keep you updated.
Well James, it seems the leopard population is in a state of flux for both the males and females. Senegal, Flat Rock both increasing their territories and seen mating regularly with the Mashaba female and then the Nhlanguleni female has cubs and has been keeping on eye on her independent daughters……possibly pushing them further away. We all enjoy the reporting as it feels like we’re keeping up with our other families!! Thank you!!
Hi Denise, it certainly does keep us constantly enthralled following the lives of these leopards.
The Senegal Bush male is impressive looking! He reminds me of the Anderson male with his pale coloring and striking dark “eyeliner.” Is he related to Anderson?
Hi Mary, as far as I know they are not directly related but they were both born in this area so it is quite possible that there is a distant link.
Wonder when that last photo was taken? The Inyathini male looks very well fed-quite husky!
Hi Vin, I will double check with Bruce who took the photo but my guess would be about a year ago. He does look rather big in that photo!
James it so good anticipating each days blog and being rewarded with another great update on the inhabitants we have all come to know though yourself and the other guides. We are all family. Thank you
So true! Glad you are enjoying them and please let us know if there’s anything in particular you would like to hear about.
From my Day 3 Journal:
The leopard tells me to move with deep purpose and clarity, and only with deep purpose and clarity.
Thanks for sharing Paul!
Hi James , long time no see !
I hope you are all well , love to Cath
warm regards
Guido, Dina
Hi Guido and Dina, we are both well and I hope the same can be said for you. Hopefully see you soon!
I miss the bush !
Thanks so much for this James. I’m so glad that the Londolozi Blog continues to post. It is a fabulous escape from the current sanity.
It’s such a pleasure Jayne. Glad you are enjoying it.