A lot has happened in 2020. The world kind of got turned on its head, and people’s attention was necessarily on global events rather than the quiet demise of a leopard.
Yet the big male who has dominated the central parts of Londolozi for the better part of a decade has been slowly slipping away, and it’s probably time to give him his due.
It was back in 2014 that an unknown, aggressive male leopard first started being seen in the south-eastern sector of the reserve. He would slink off into the long grass as soon as he realised a vehicle had caught sight of him, and if he was found on foot and startled… forget it! You weren’t going to see him again on that drive.
We occasionally get nomadic males wandering in from the Kruger Park. Arriving as they do from a huge wilderness area where they are unlikely to have seen many people, they are invariably shy, and sightings of them are hard to come by. The Inyathin male was one of these.
Another leopard who originated in the Kruger National Park, he has established a large territory in the south eastern areas of Londolozi.
I remember stories of him charging vehicles in his early days, of this unknown male hurtling down out of a tree he was spotted in, and mock charging a Land Rover full of guests, then darting back into cover.
You learned to keep your distance, and it was more than two years before the leopard became relaxed enough around the game viewers that we could enjoy sightings of him in which he essentially ignored us.
I think it was this completely unpredictable nature that added a touch of trepidation to any sighting of him you approached as a ranger. Your eyes were scanning the bushes with extra intent as you drove closer, seeking that low profile you knew would be watching you, and analysing as quickly and accurately as possible the mood of the leopard. If he seemed relaxed, great.
If not, give him plenty of space!
A prominent water course running from west to east across the centre of Londolozi gave him his name; it was along this drainage line that he would be seen regularly, or if not seen, heard giving his rasping cough as he moved through the core of his territory; a territory that in his prime covered almost fifty square kilometres.
And now his time has nearly run its course.
Although without DNA testing its hard to accurately identify which male fathered which cubs, it is more than likely the Inyathini male has a number of progeny currently roaming the Sabi Sand Reserve and beyond: the Tatowa young male (dispersed), Tamboti young female (dispersed), quite possibly the Ximungwe young male and almost certainly the Tortoise Pan male. He can therefore be deemed to have been a success in his genetic goal, which for a male leopard is ultimately his life purpose; reproduction.
The last confirmed sighting of him on Londolozi was from early Lockdown – I believe April, with maybe one in May. He has apparently been seen east of us along the Sand River as recently as three weeks ago, but I think personally it’s time for me to say goodbye.
I’ve driven his old haunts repeatedly over the last 6 months, and the Nweti, Maxim’s and Senegal Bush males hold sway there now, with no sign of their predecessor.
The Inyathini male has most likely been consigned to the twilight of a male’s life; non-territorial, vagrant, keeping as low a profile as possible.
Maybe he’s already gone. A swift death after bumping into the Ntsevu pride in the reeds. Or maybe like many before him, he succumbed to wounds sustained in a fight with a younger rival, and simply faded away during the night.
Whatever the case, I doubt I’ll see him again.
I won’t waste time saying anything trite like “Goodbye old friend”.
We weren’t friends.
This leopard wouldn’t know me – or any other human – from a bar of soap. He was a wild animal, his behaviour – at least in the last few years – unaltered whether we were watching him or not.
Instead what I’ll do as I pass by any spot where I enjoyed an amazing sighting of him, is simply nod my head in respect to a beautiful animal, and drive on my way.
It is always sad to hear about the demise of a leopard. A fitting tribute.
James, I loved the blog today, Inyathini leopards🤗!
A lovely piece and tribute to a beautiful male Leopard. Possibly gone but remembered.
What a gorgeous male leopard. .. fully wild in his leopardity. Glad he lived his life to the fullest and his skin doesn’t belong to a trophy hunter!
Thoughtful tribute , James. I first saw him in the early days, snarling at our vehicle from the middle of a thicket! But years later he was the first mating leopard I’d ever seen, he and Mashaba ensuring a next generation. He was distinctive in appearance, will be long remembered.
Beautifully written, James.
Thanks for the update! He will be missed. I’ll never forget the pics of the interaction between him and the cub.
Sadness……very hard to see a beautiful vibrant cat fade away and disappear…..Farewell, Inyathini.
Such a beautiful male! May he RIP!
Jamo the word anthropomorphism springs to mind that I first heard from you, in fact have only ever heard from you. You’ve come up with some whoppers in my time at Londoz but that left a mark. It’s great to know these cats as more than just lions or leopards even if it does get emotional from time to time.
It would be sad if it has gone forever but hopefully it will find an good new home
What a lovely eulogy to the moving on of Inyathin, if I may put it that way because he may still be lurking in the bushes somewhere close by…
🙏💕💕
Well, if he is gone forever, he certainly won’t be forgotten for his stature, his unpredictability and progeny. The last photo you posted here in this blog looks just like his son, the Tortoise Pan whom I photographed 1.5 years ago. Thanx for the update!
That’s so sad it breaks my heart to see them pass in such awful ways, starvation,Hyneas just don’t seem right. Us as humans have the means to make these senior cats death a little more bearable. I wish more than anything we’d all help, save and protect all our wildlife, world wide. You’ll never see such beauty,such caring, mothering such uniqueness as in our wildlife
Beautifully written story! Thank you!
nature always has its way of leaving a bitter sweet but relevant legacy of the unsung heroes of the African wilderness. We ought to salut the fallen heroes bcz they left their contributions to help future generations enjoy sightings of leopard and diverse otha species
Beautiful remembrance and tribute to this magnificent leopard James!!
That’s a great story and a fitting tribute Thank you.
Thank you for your beautiful and respectful tribute to the Inyathini male leopard, he obviously earned his place in your experience of these amazing animals.
Thanks James. Fitting tribute. I have many wonderful memories of the Inyathini male.
Beautifully written James.
Born to be wild… what a privilege to have the memories ♥️
As much as your blog for the day is fluid and filled will pleasant smiles about the Inyathini male,.. at the very end James, my heart sunk upon seeing his “elderly resting position,” whilst your final comment about him, has left me with a well of tears. –
The Inyathini male Leopard was indeed a beautiful wild animal, that hopefully is resting peacefully somewhere out in the bush, or beyond.
Thank you for this informative, beautifully written piece. Really enjoy the insights and substantial knowledge of the leopard behaviour.
You have a good heart, James. Thanks for your insights and knowledge of the wilderness.
Thank you for your beautiful tribute! I saw him 2017. He was impressive! Big male leopard! He had eaten a big meal and was laying resting beside a tree. I will not forget him.
We had the privilege of seeing the Inyathini male in July 2019 – what a majestic leopard. I fell in love immediately with his distinctive face. Leopards are so beautiful, but his face showed the trials he had been through to maintain his dominance. Thank you for this wonderful tribute to him.
Another legend passing into memory.. A heartfelt thank you to Inyathini and all the guides who allowed us to know and follow him throughout his time on Londolozi.
Befitting eulogy to a very relevant member of the Londolozi environs.fare thee well lnyathini. salut.Legacy continues. sustainability and longevity for leopard specie contributor
Never say never in nature.
So interesting, James, to hear about a Leopard that we haven’t heard as much about as we have of others. Thank you for a well written article and some lovely pictures of the old boy. He deserves our respect. Wendy M
A beautiful and thoughtful tribute James. It was good to be reminded that we aren’t friends with the big cats. It’s hard to remember that when we get so consumed by their photos and stories. I love following them every day in your blog.
Thanks for the “memories” James. We only have a couple of images of him and clearly he was one cunning leopard to keep us searching for him!
I don’t know if we ever saw this particular leopard during any of our visits, but I am sure you will all miss him.! He was certainly a handsome animal. Victoria
Why this sadness? He is back. Check for the last Mala Mala videos.
Hi Berep,
Thanks yes we have seen him once or twice since then. This was more a speculative post than anything. Thanks for the comments.