Male leopard dynamics seem to be ever-changing, a constant ebb and flow of territory taken and given. With movements of females, young offspring reaching maturity as well as pressure from other males the shifts happen in waves. A particularly interesting area for this is in the northern parts of Londolozi, Marthly.
Whilst on a territorial patrol the Senegal Bush Male momentarily stops to listen to what is going on around him.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
In light of the presumption that the Senegal Bush Male has died by fellow Ranger Matt Rochford a few weeks ago and the fact that we are starting to see a lot more of the Tortoise Pan Male, I thought I would use this blog to update you on the male leopard dynamics north of the Sand River on Londolozi.
The Senegal Bush scanned his surroundings in the evening light.
The further time goes on the more viable Matt’s presumption becomes. In more recent times, the Senegal Bush Male used to spend a lot of his time in our western neighbour but also in the northern parts of the reserve and sightings and signs of him have been none existent for quite some time now. With this being said there is definitely space available for a new leopard to move into this area and establish this territory as their own.
The ultimate goal of a male leopard is to pass on their genes and thus have their territory overlap with as many females as possible. This area along the river as well as north of the river is the ideal spot for a male leopard to set up territory. So I have no doubt we will be seeing a new male in this area.
Born in 2016, this male spent his early years in the south-east of Londolozi, but began moving further afield in late 2019.
If we head further North from the river, closer to our Northern boundary we are starting to see a lot more of the Tortoise Pan Male which Kelsey Clark recently gave an update on. This is extremely exciting. Being around eight years of age he is a huge leopard and in the middle of his prime. Are we going to see him shift further south towards Ximpalapala Koppie? Only time will tell. For now, I think he still has quite a significant portion of his territory further north of Londolozi so I think by him coming even further south he may be stretching himself too far, but I sure do hope he does and sightings of him can become even more frequent.
A dominant male leopard over the majority of the north. He originally took over the 4:4 Male's territory when he died.
Moving on, when I arrived at Londolozi at the beginning of 2022 the dominant male in the northern parts of the reserve was the Flat Rock Male. Over the last two and a half years we have noticed a shift in territory of the Flat Rock Male. As leopards get older they do tend to have a second territorial shift. With regards to the Flat Rock Male, we initially thought it was due to the fact that the Senegal Bush Male shifting further north, although this is true to some extent, I think a more plausible reason is due to a shift south by the Tortoise Pan Male. Sightings of the Flat Rock Male have been few and far between with him shifting further east into our eastern neighbour. This again has opened up quite bit of space for another male leopard in the northern parts of the reserve.
![Flat Rock Male Standing On Bank [2] (rb)](https://media.londolozi.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/01142142/Flat-Rock-Male-Standing-on-bank-2-RB-1598x1168.jpg)
The Flat Rock Male gazes towards elephants that were coming down to the river for a drink in the late morning.
We are also still seeing the Xitsilala Male every now and then so it could also be him who takes over.
A handsome young male leopard that originates from Ngala in the Timbavati Reserve north of here. He had a sister who made it to independence
It’s an extremely exciting time with male leopard dynamics in the north at the moment and will be sure to keep you updated. There is certainly lots happening and a lot of uncertainty, but uncertainty is always extremely exciting.
We saw the Tortoisepan male, very relaxed, only two days ago, up there in the north. It will really be very interesting who of all those younger males will take over the area. Whoever it will be, the leopards at Londolozi are just fabulous!
Hi, the Tortoise Pan Male seems to have fathered many cubs… he must be a great leopard, given that he is son to the Ndzanzeni female, hence the royal lines, and the mythical Inyathini male. I feel sad for the Senegal Bush male, he was such a powerful male, I always hope he might pop out like the Inyathini male did, when all thought he was gone, at the expense of the Mashaba female and her last cubs. I saw the video of the fight between the large Mashaba female and the small, elegant Ndzanzeni female…. the Tortoise Pan male looks large and beautiful as his parents… great update, thank you.
Has the Ntomi male ventured out of the area?
I really hope the Senegal bush is still alive. I know he was old and grumpy but I still like the Senegal bush male. I also love the Flat rock male. Hope the Ntomi male will also have his own territory soon.
Thanks for the update, Ross. It’s still sad to know that the Senegal Bush male is gone; I’ll never forget the thrilling warthog kill we witnessed last year. But it’s nice to know that Flat Rock is still around and that the Tortoise Pan male is a frequent visitor. Hope to see them all soon!
When will you be there Mary Beth? My plan is arriving October 5 for a week. Maybe we’ll cross paths finally?!
We will be at Tree Camp 9/26 – 10/10 so we will overlap!
Thanks for the update, and staying tuned for further news!
Ross, thanks for the pictures of the male leopards. They are all impressive animals.
I so enjoy seeing posts about the Senegal Bush Male. Have watched him grow up since a young cub.
Thanks for the update, Ross. I’m so hoping to see Tortoise Pan again when I come back early November, having first seen him when he was a mega-cute 2 month old cub.
It is disheartening to think the Senagal Bush male has disappeared permanently as he’s been part of the Londolozi landscape for such a long time. However, it’s time for the young males to take their place in the story of Londolozi leopards, and if that means the Tortoise Pan male can return, I’m thrilled. I saw him just before his independence and he was huge then, so he must be even larger now. It would be nice if Ntomi was still around but given his lineage, there could be issues with the gene pool. As always, we wait to see what unfolds for this territory.