After a particularly busy period, I had the rare opportunity where I did not have any guests for a morning. Hearing that the Nottens Male had been seen on Londolozi, my completely out of routine planned sleep-in the following morning never really stood a chance. There’s a certain kind of excitement that lingers when a leopard like him moves into the area, and I’ll admit, a touch of jealousy crept in knowing he’d been found close to our eastern boundary.
Born 2021, mirrors father Nweti's presence. Young force showing remarkable confidence while navigating nomadic phase in southern territories
A Healthy Obsession… I Think
I’ve mentioned it before, but I have a particular affinity for both the Tinxiya Female and the Nottens Male. In fact, these days this affinity has manifested itself into what I can only describe as a healthy obsession! You begin to recognise patterns, behaviours, even what feels like personality. Leopards and lions especially start to reveal something of themselves the more you see them, and no two are ever quite the same.
The Tinxiya Female, is slowly carving out a piece of territory in the southeastern parts of Londolozi and is now navigating the life of an independent leopardess.
A confident and curious young leopard, that is nearing independence after a remarkable start to life alongside her resilient mother.
Mr Ever Capable
The Nottens Male carries himself with a quiet confidence. There’s something about him that suggests he’ll handle the challenges ahead in his own time, without fuss. A young male, still finding his place, but already showing signs of what he might become.
Striking resemblance to his father, the Nweti Male
So coffee in hand and camera at the ready, I set off as the first vehicle out that morning. Without a tracker, I took a slightly more patient approach, allowing other vehicles to cover ground ahead of me in case I missed any tracks. The morning began to warm when the ever-reliable Jerry Sibiya called over the radio, confirming he had found the Nottens Male.
I waited for my turn.
Patience Is A Virtue
By around nine o’clock, most vehicles had begun making their way back toward camp as the heat settled in. That’s when I headed in. The moment I caught my first glimpse of him, that sense of satisfaction kicked in. There he was, completely unfazed by our presence, moving steadily through a thick section of the reserve. He carried himself like many young nomadic males do, stopping to smell and listen, drifting without urgency, reading the landscape as he went.
Matt’s Birthday Present
Matt Rochford (It was Matt’s birthday that morning) and I were on the same page as we stuck with him, navigating some fairly tricky terrain with the hope that he might eventually move into something more open. Out here, patience is everything. These animals don’t operate on our schedule, and the best moments often come to those willing to wait.
Sure enough, he gave us exactly that.
He stepped out into a clearing, offering a full, unobstructed view. I was practically jumping out of my seat at this point with excitement. But the best was still to come. Anticipating his movement, we positioned ourselves near a small waterhole. Shortly thereafter, he appeared, walking calmly in and dropping his head to drink less than ten metres from us. It was one of those moments where everything just lines up.
This was THE MOMENT of the morning
A black and white version.
A Legacy Loading
At this stage, the Nottens Male will likely remain nomadic for a while longer, continuing to test boundaries and assess the pressures from dominant males in the surrounding areas. Where he eventually settles is anyone’s guess. What does feel certain, though, is that somewhere, whether within the Sabi Sands or beyond, there is a future territory waiting for him. And whichever area he claims will gain a striking, confident young male with all the makings of something special.
A legacy in the making of which I have no doubt!
Nothing wrong with a healthy obsession Nick! I’ve had a more general obsession with Londolozi since my 1st visit in 2010. Though it has also been described as my expensive addiction. Looking forward to returning in November.
Completely agree Suzanne! See you soon.
Hi LGR. Although the Nottens male is quite a impressively large male leopard at 4 years old and almost pretty much in his prime as a young adult male leopard now, but whilst he might be looking for females to mate and sire cubs with as well as looking out for a place that he can class as a ideal and appropriate place for him to set up his own territory, the Tinxiya female is just over 2 years old now but she is still a bit to young to mate & have cubs of her own right now at the moment currently, however, bearing in mind that he is double her age and size, she will possibly make a ideal mate for him to mate and sire cubs with in just a couple of years time when she is old enough at about 4 years old. Wouldn’t she? I don’t even know if they have crossed paths or seen each other there yet at all either. But maybe in the next year or so when she is a bit older and more experienced at hunting, by which time he will have hopefully set up his very own territory there, perhaps they will mate then if successful.
It sure must have been absolutely amazing to see and have him drink from and muddy pan less than ten metres away from where you were watching and viewing him. It is just incredible how so very relaxed and calm he is when seen and viewed by those who are lucky to just literally come right across him.
Despite been four years old, I don’t know if he is still growing a bit more, or if he has reached his own good full size there by now. Maybe you can tell me when you reply back to me, as it will be ever so interesting to see and know at the time. As the time and years fly by, it’ll be interesting to see how many cubs he will sire.
The young beautiful Tinxiya female has only been independent from her mother, the 10 year old Three Rivers female for only a few months right now, and she is still learning the ropes in independence as she walks about also looking for the best and suitable place for her to set up her own territory as well. Even though we don’t know for sure yet, but let’s all hope that they both lead a long and prosperous life together on your property. As the Nottens male’s father, the presumably late massive Nweti male had a particular fondness of warthogs in his lifetime, well it will be fascinating to see if he to will also have a fondness for killing warthogs as well, or if he’ll have a preference for other prey there, too. Wouldn’t it? A fully grown warthog as you have mentioned before in past previous blogs, fo have long and sharp powerful tusks that can easily tear any old or young predator (s) hunting them, open wide if not very careful. But on the other hand, then can and will make a good meal for any leopard who is successful in hunting and killing them after a exhausting, noisey and bloody tussle. They will have to eat a fair bit of the carcass first of all to lighten the load before they can hoist it into a tree very safely and successfully. Warthogs are so loud and noisey with ear piercing screams that probably could be heard from several miles or kilometres away. On that very particular morning, was he just looking for food as well whilst making his way down to a muddy pan for a drink at all? I expect he possibly might well have seized the opportunity to catch a unsuspecting prey animal if he was able to catch it of guard and the chance just presented itself by just passing right by.
Although we don’t know for sure, but do you really think the Nweti male is dead, or is there a 50/50 chance that he could still be alive and well but moved his territory somewhere else? I’m sure he is still greatly missed there by those who were lucky enough to see and view him.
Hope to hear from you shortly.
Robert 7.5.26
Thanks so much for your detailed comment Robert. I think at this stage its a fair assumption to think the Nweti male is dead. I agree with your comments above about the Tinxiya combo! Here’s to hoping. Regards
Hi Nic, both you and Matt write blog edition that meet my weaknesses… say, I never saw him in real life, but I was struck by the Nweti male, so gorgeous and a real showman… I was a bit shocked when he disappeared! But then, here he comes, the Nottens male, a mirror image of him! What a special creature! I do hope he manages to navigate his future territory without dangerous meetings- say, lions or very mighy leopards…. thank you! You made my day! A reason more to visit Londolozi ASAP…
I’m glad you enjoyed them Francesca. I completely agree with you!
I saw the Notten’s male at the same time as you did. As you said, we followed him through thick bush till he came out and drank at that pool.
A really wonderful leopard! It is a rare and real privilege to see such a beautiful animal.
Such a special sighting! I’m glad you enjoyed it Christa.
If one is going to admit to an obsession, then I can’t think of a better one than leopards. I’m so jealous that you were fortunate enough to spend a morning with him, exhibiting the patience required in anticipation of his moves( we know about patience!) whilst capturing stunning images of him. He is an extremely handsome leopard, seemingly sharing 50/50 the genes of Ntsumi and Nweti, and by male leopard standards, is on his way to using his nomadic life to figure out where he fits in or out if the SabiSands.
In the perfect world, he will take over territory within Londolozi, mate with Tinxiya, and your obsession with both of these leopards will be fulfilled – if manifested it can come true. Thanks for your update Nic and especially the photos.
We’re on the same page about that perfect world Denise. Glad you enjoyed them.
Keep well.
Hi Nic, I like your obsession with the Nottens male, because he is a stunning young male and he carries himself with such confidence. So glad you waited it out to get your stunning photo’s of him. Patience really does pay off in the end.
Patience is key. He is a stunning male!
Very GOOD obsession for sure!
We’re on the same page Anita! Keep well.
That’s my kind of obsession!
You and me both!