Involved Leopards

Senegal Bush 3:3 Male

Senegal Bush 3:3 Male

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Flat Rock 3:2 Male

Flat Rock 3:2 Male

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Tortoise Pan 4:3 Male

Tortoise Pan 4:3 Male

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Nhlanguleni 3:2 Female

Nhlanguleni 3:2 Female

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Nkoveni 2:2 Female

Nkoveni 2:2 Female

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Kelsey Clark

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Kelsey has many fond memories of family bush and camping trips across South Africa when she was growing up and for her, this sparked a growing love for the wilderness and opportunities to seek new adventures. Although she studied BComm Financial Management and ...

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34 Comments

on Where is the Flat Rock Male Leopard?

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Senior Digital Ranger

So heartbreaking the end of a era. I had a tear reading about the flat rock male. All I can wish for is a pleasant death and not starvation or ripped apart by other predators.

Digital Tracker

he is doing well at MalaMala. I think we have a few good years left with Flat Rock.

It is sad that we aren’t seeing as much of him anymore Tammy but as MJ says he is still doing well for now since his territory has shifted!

The Flatrockmale will certainly have some more good years , though maybe to the north of Londolozi.
The leopard sighting at Londolozi is indeed just amazing. When I last was there I saw 16 different leopards in 8 days. Fabulous! Nowhere else have I seen so many of my favourite animals and have been able to watch them so closely.

Yes I’m sure he still has some good years in him, Christa! That is an amazing record for your favourite animal 🙂 hope to see you back soon for another visit!

I guess like others in the past he’ll become more nomadic and will keep his distance from the younger up and coming males. I remember Camp Pan became quite arthritic in his later years and relied more on stealing kills from smaller female leopards rather than hunting himself. But like Flat Rock, his legacy lives on in Londolozi, having fathered Nhlanguleni’s mother amongst others.

I agree Suzanne, I’m sure he will follow a similar nomadic lifestyle eventually but his legacy will always be remembered.

I found the photo of the Flat Rock male walking away unutterably sad and wish him a natural ending.

Yes sadly, we are seeing less of him with his territory shift but I’m sure we will still have some unexpected sightings and can look forward to the new dynamics unfolding 🙂

Let’s hope he still has a few great years left, even if his territory shifts away from Londolozi. He is such a handsome leopard and has done well to father several cubs that made it to independence.

Agreed Chelsea, I’m sure we still see him from time to time over the next few years 🙂

Now I know I’m getting old as I remember when the Flat Rock male was new on Londolozi! I always thought he was a bit menacing looking, but now I think he just had a swagger about him that said ‘don’t mess with me.” I hope to see him again when I visit in September/October.

I’m sure you have some great memories of him Mary Beth and hopefully you will see him again on your next visit 🙂

He is still one of my favorites male leopards, although he is 11 years old now. He has given us many hours of wonderful foto’s and especially the foto of him jumping over the water. He has seired a few cubs and has just been the best male leopard ever to just sit and watch and follow around. May he always be welcome on Londolozi ground, even if it just so that we can see him one more time. So heartsore to think that his Era is running out quickly and I dearly wish for him to be at peace in his last days.

Such great memories you have of him Valmai! I’m sure he will still come back to Londolozi from time to time!

Kelsey, what a wonderful story about the Flat Rock Male and his territory and legacy. It will be very interesting to follow him into the sunset. He has left a magnificent legacy for Londolozi’s leopard population.

Thank you William, he is leaving an amazing story to share!

Having observed the Flat Rock male on each of my visits, it would be disappointing if he was forced to move further north, over the border. At 11 years old, it doesn’t seem that he’s aged out, considering there are females older than him who are thriving, save perhaps Mashaba who at 16 is not viewed as frequently, although she’s in great form. I’ve viewed Tortoise Pan and it would be exciting if he was able to secure a permanent territory, but hopefully not at the expense of Flat Rock. Another question aside from your report – why do most of the Londolozi female leopards tend to raise females rather than males? The exception seems to be Ximungwe. It seems that when a male/female cub is born, the male disappears early on. Just curious….

He is certainly still doing very well at his age Denise, and while I’m sure we will still see him from time to time it is par for the course that a male leopards territory will shift over the years. The Tortoise Pan male has established a permanent territory but majority of this is still beyond our boundaries so only time will tell how things might shift. As for your question on the sexes, nature has a way of balancing the sexes out and while there is more pressure from dominant male leopards on young males we have also seen the Three Rivers female raise the Nsuku male to independence in the last year.

Hi, the image of him walking away in the thick vegetation may lead to several feelings. Uncertainty but also new territory to explore… he didn’t seem to be that worn out as other leopards. He has always appeared as a mighty and successful male. The newcomers don’t look such a huge menace to me. Maybe in the future. I can’t forget the mythical Inyathini male killing the last litter of poor Mashaba female. Leopards females can thrive in older age, but also males.
Who knows what life keeps aside for him
Thank you for this beautiful blog, leopards are among the most interesting animals as far as behaviour is regarded and they also are incredibly beautiful and smart.

Thank you Francesca, the picture and the blog do stir some emotions as the leopards certainly keep us fascinated with their behaviour over the years and I look forward to seeing what becomes of his life ahead.

What an incredible journey for this leopard Great story.

It sure is! Thanks Scott

I really enjoyed our terrific sighting of Flat Rock in Aug 2019 sharing a meal (yes….really….peaceably sharing a meal!) with Nhlanguleni and her two subadults (at the time…and now called Nkuwa and Finfoot). He is a relaxed male and a good father. I wish him well in his journey!

Wow! Amazing to be there for that sighting Lisa – that is something really special.

I have another question. Where is the Nhlanguleni female. Haven’t heard about her for ages.

Funny you should ask Kirill, I saw her this morning on game drive scent marking and in search of her next meal. I’m sure there will be a full update on her soon 🙂

Thanks! I’m just a faraway reader. May have missed smth.

Wonderful post, and a beautiful tribute to the Flat Rock Male leopard, Kelsey. Long may he run, albeit, into the Londolozi sunset.

Thank you Paul

Digital Tracker

I have followed Flat Rock for many years. he is my second favorite male leopard on Londolozi (my first is Senegal Bush who will be 12 this fall). I hope to enjoy posts about both of them for at least a few more years. thank you for the wonderful update on the Flat Rock male.

Always a pleasure MJ. They are both great leopards and although aging still in great condition so I’m sure they will be around for a while 🙂

Hoping to see more and more of the Ntomi male and some little Ntomi’s 😉

Yes hopefully we will Anita!

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