If you haven’t read Saturday’s blog, then just to fill you in, this is a follow-on from my brother, Josh Attenborough’s beautiful account of the time our paths crossed at Londolozi.
Two particular snapshots of our time together have shown us the power of reflection. He shared an experience we had on foot in an ancient leadwood forest and I’d like to share what transpired after that sighting.
Josh’s most revered animal had always been a leopard, despite him only ever having had a single brief sighting of one before he came to Londolozi. It was these cats’ elusive nature that drew him to them and so one of my dreams was to give him the opportunity to meet and understand them more fully. On our first game drive we had a wonderful sighting of the Nkoveni female with one of her cubs but the particular sighting I’m about to recount had even more of an impact on both of us.
Incredibly, the 5:5 male was adopted as a cub by his grandmother, the 3:4 female, and raised by her to adulthood.
A gorgeous female who is found to the east of camp. Easily recognised by her 2:2 spot pattern she is often to be found in Marula trees.
We were exploring the northern part of Londolozi and had just left the leadwood forest when we heard reports that not far from the Sand River, the Dudley 5:5 male leopard had been found. He had sustained considerable injuries and was lying amongst the russet bushwillow thickets, sparse from winter. I had always loved this leopard with his arresting blue eye and his intriguing story that gave insight into how much more complex leopards are than we’ve come to believe.
He had been in an unfortunate fight with the Tsalala Pride, who were denning cubs nearby, and judging by the tracks he’d been ambushed by the two lionesses. This leopard had an incredible history and had made it through many very testing times in his life. Wanting to share this with Josh we went to see him to check the extent of his injuries, hoping that this was just another challenge he would overcome.
As I recounted to Josh, this leopard was born in the south of Londolozi and was a descendant of the Mother Leopard, who established the lineage of leopards that have made Londolozi the leopard viewing mecca that it is today. As a young cub he inexplicably left his mother, the Dudley Riverbank female, and joined his grandmother when the two females came across each other one day. Unusually, the 3:4 female (his grandmother) accepted him as her own and he continued to live with her and the rest of her litter for another three years.
As a foolhardy youngster, he attempted to establish dominance in his father’s territory and after an epic fight with the Tugwaan male, eventually headed east out of Londolozi. During his young life he was also seen challenging the Camp Pan, Marthly and Emsagwen males. It seemed he was set to oust the Camp Pan male but in a turn of events the Emsagwen male was killed and the Dudley 5:5 male headed east, taking over this territory left vacant by the Emsagwen male.
It was reportedly during one of these many territorial fights in his life that the 5:5 male lost sight in his left eye. Despite this being an obvious hindrance to hunting, he continued to successfully feed himself. What was even stranger about this leopard was that in the last few months of his grandmother’s life the pair were found sharing carcasses. Although male and female leopards are sometimes found on kills together, it is usually because the males have bullied their way into the situation, and once they have appropriated the carcass it is very unusual to see them share. Here though the female could never have forced herself on this stronger male and it seems that the bond which formed between them during the male’s infancy and adolescence, remained throughout his life.
The late 3:4 female.
Upon arriving, we saw the leopard lying flat on his side. His breaths were shallow and had long gaps between them. Despite the approach of the vehicle he didn’t even lift his head. We sat with him for a short while before deciding to leave, not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to him. After living such a hardy life we left with a sliver of hope that he could come back one more time despite the severity of his injuries. Unfortunately when we returned the next morning, the damage inflicted by the lions had just been too severe and his shallow breaths had stopped altogether. Although this was an incredibly sad moment to share with Josh, it was also a very real one. In this one leopard’s limp frame were so many stories that shook up what we thought we knew about these creatures and his life would inform how we looked at all leopards going forward.
During the global lockdown and at a time where life feels like it is on pause we have the chance to reflect on what has impacted us and the times that have shaped us. By remembering these we get a sense of what it is that we really treasure. Rather than become nostalgic, saddened or stuck in the past, it can help to show us what we truly value.
Just like how the Dudley Riverbank 5:5 male impacted my reverence for leopards, I hope this global time of contemplation enriches our perspective on life going forward.
Amy, it is so nice to read one of your blogs again. This is also a sad and difficult time for many people, but there is hope for the future. We will hopefully appreciate the lessons that nature teach us. Live a simpler life.
Hi Marinda. So lovely to hear from you too. Absolutely, as you say, a difficult time for many but there is ALWAYS room for hope!
Very beautiful and touching story of this leopard …
Thanks for filling in some blanks in the history. We have seen the Nkoveni female on a few occasions.
What a terribly sad news… Another part of the legendary Mother lineage is gone. A day for mourning.
Amy, what a wonderful blog – I have seen the Dudley Leopard when we were there in 2014, Nkoveni Female in 2014🤗. We have been to Londolozi in 2011, 2014 ,2017, 2018, and hopefully 2020 celbrate our 50th wedding anniversary, Sept 5: I hope we get to go?
Hi Joan. Congratulations in advance for that very special milestone! I too hope that you’ll be able to get to Londolozi and if not in September, then certainly at the next earliest opportunity. What is good to know is that the leopards will most certainly be there to welcome you whenever your trip happens.
Dear Amy. How lovely to hear from you again. What a sad story about this wonderful leopard. Wonder if he has left any progeny on Londolozi? It would be interesting to know. His grandmother too was a very special leopard. Everything of the best to you, Amy! Wendy M
Hi Wendy. From scat samples collected by Panthera, it’s been confirmed that he is the father of the Piccadilly female. She is sometimes seen on the eastern side of Londolozi in the region of the Sand River. Nice to know that he has offspring still seen today. All the best, Amy
Hello Amy, I was very touched by your beautiful story of Dudley Riverbank 5:5 male leopard. It was sad that he didn’t make it after the fight. It was interesting to read that he wanted to live with his grandmother and that they also shared meals together. I think it is interesting that they as we have different personalities. It is easy to forget that.
I agree with you now we have time to reflect and hopefully when this has past we understand more what is truly importent in our lifes. I think you wrote it very good. Here comes a question;
Is he father to any of the present leopards on Londolozi today?
Thank you for sharing!
Hi Ann. Yes, such an interesting leopard! From scat samples collected by Panthera, it’s been confirmed that he is the father of the Piccadilly female. She is sometimes seen on the eastern side of Londolozi in the region of the Sand River. Nice to know that he has offspring still seen today. Thanks so much, Amy
It is unbelievable what this Leopard overcame to thrive. It’s a true story of resilience. Animals have so much more depth and intelligence then we can ever know.
Absolutely Kara! Spot on.
for all of you who shepherd us around to see all animals, the animals must almost like good friends. I can only imagine how sad it is to lose one, even it is the law of the jungle. thank you for sharing. Victoria
Amy, that was such a beautiful tale to share despite the sad ending! Thanks so much for letting us ‘sit in with you two’ while you relived this moment in time.
What a sad story about a fascinating leopard!
Love “the leopards of Londolozi”
Wow absolutely beautiful blog Amy on this amazing male leopard what a Warrior
How nice to hear from you Amy! That was a long time ago. This leopard sounds like a very singular guy, thanks for the story, so we met him. Hope he left some progeny…………………
Hi Irene. From the scat samples collected by the organisation Panthera, it’s been confirmed that he is the father of the Piccadilly female. She is sometimes seen on the eastern side of Londolozi in the region of the Sand River. Nice to know that he has offspring still seen today. Thanks so much, Amy
sad for dudley 🙁
So good to read another of your blogs- I’ve missed them but have been following you through your Wild Again page. I’ve never seen the Dudley male but I feel a sense of him through your words-strong, tenacious and loyal to his grandmother. Death comes to all of us and so it is how we choose to live between birth and the end of life that defines us as well as all living creatures. Thank you for another thought provoking blog and keep well.
Hi Denise. Thanks for your kind words and grateful to still be connected. Yes as you say, the amazing paradox of life being that the more we accept our mortality the more fully we live. Keep well!
Thank you for sharing that story Amy. We are happy to hear from you! It’s amazing and wonderful to us that the lineage and interactions of the leopards that are documented, help make the stories richer. Hope you are staying safe!
Hi Michael and Terri. So good to hear from you too! You’re right, being able to identify the leopards and thus understand their social dynamics adds a whole new dimension to a safari and understanding the animals in general. I’m glad you’ve been able to see and learn about so many of them yourselves. I am safe and well thank you. I hope you are too! All the best and hope you’re back in Africa sooner rather than later.
Thank you for sharing this story Amy.
What an incredible and beautiful story. And I particularly love your insights and learnings from this experience. So much to reflect on and value. Thank you Amy.
I really wish you had of helped the leopard that the lioness attacked. I don’t believe there creatures there our co planet partners and we very much need our partners to keep earth aon a even balance. Maybe if we didn’t call them creatures, beasts, animals the next generation may have more respect for them because right now the respect level is awful. I will always consider man more of a creature a beast than any animal and man is more destructive, cruel,harmful to others and the planet