There are moments in the bush that whisper change before they become the new normal. Over the past few weeks, such whispers have begun to echo as the arrival of a new male leopard, very likely from the Kruger National Park, has been seen more and more.
The Nomadic 3:2 Male has striking amber eyes and a prominent knick in his right ear. He also has some old scarring around his right eye, which is hairless.
An elusive and intriguing newcomer with an unknown past. Likely originating from the Kruger National Park, he is currently unnamed.
This is not the first time we’ve watched the leopard dynamics shift around a newcomer. Not so long ago, in 2019, the Maxims Male, another leopard from the vast wilderness of the Kruger National Park, made his way into Londolozi from the east, disrupting territories, testing boundaries, and ultimately securing a foothold in the central and eastern reaches of the reserve. His arrival was both dramatic and fascinating, a reminder that this landscape is not static, but constantly in flux.
One of the first proper photos of the Maxim’s Male, mentioned above, when he was a relatively new male on the scene at Londolozi. His behaviour towards vehicles was much different to that of the Senegal Bush Male, making it much harder to capture clear footage of the encroaching male.
Dominant since 2019. Once skittish Kruger-born giant now rules vast territory, transforming from elusive presence to formidable force.
Unfortunately, with the vacant territories of the Senegal Bush Male and the Nweti Male, there is land up for grabs. However, these things certainly take time, and we will have to wait and see if this 3:2 Male leopard is able to establish himself and hold back the expansion of the Maxim’s Male’s territory.
My first sighting of this new leopard from March earlier this year, where I was only able to capture him from one side before he descended into the Sand River
This new male—unnamed for now— has been seen sporadically through the northern and eastern parts of the reserve. He has begun scent-marking and vocalising in areas along the Sand River, whether this is him prematurely claiming the territory or just him throwing his weight around a little bit and seeing what happens, we are not sure. We can only presume that the Maxim’s Male will drive him further west out of this prime territory into the late Senegal Bush Male’s territory.
His 3:2 spot pattern, where he gets his name, is visible from the top row of spots on either side
After his arrival on Londolozi, we reached out to several other lodges, and although many had seen him, no one knew of his origin. This, in combination with his skittish and elusive temperament, leads us to believe that he originates from the Kruger National Park, where his exposure to vehicles would have been minimal. Of late, he has been seen feeding on a number of carcasses, allowing us a slightly better view of him.
Just as the morning light began to come, the 3:2 male realised how exposed he would be in a bare marula tree and made his way down the tree with the remains of his kill.
Tracking him has been an exercise in patience. He is elusive, preferring dense thickets and dry riverbeds, but each glimpse reveals more of his character. On one occasion, he was even found feeding on the remains of an impala hoisted just metres from the Sand River where he was seen for three days.
Being full-bellied, the 3:2 Male draped himself over one of the branches of a jackalberry tree with a small portion of his kill behind him.
It’s early days still. Whether he will cement his presence here or be forced back by more dominant males remains to be seen. But if history has taught us anything, it’s that the leopard dynamics at Londolozi are always evolving. The arrival of the Maxim’s Male was once an uncertain story too, and now he has multiple surviving offspring who continue to thrive in the eastern parts of the reserve. So what makes this new arrival particularly compelling is the timing. With the Xinkova Female sexually mature and in search of a mate, is this 3:2 Male going to step up to the plate and potentially sire a litter of cubs?
The 3:2 male sleeps effortlessly on a branch of a Jackalberry tree
So we watch, and we wait. A new name may soon join the lineage of Londolozi leopards. And with him, a new era may begin.
Hi Kirst, you got special pictures of this awesome guy! He’s gorgeous, those romantic bright amber eyes! Surely different from other leopards. That would be a great shift in genepool, some new dna. I can’t wait to see him in the future. Xinkova would make a perfect mate! After the very loud new lions coming to Londolozi, this is a discrete, precious presence, that silently makes his way to get a new home….
I do hope he is able to establish himself and stick around. It would be lovely to have a new story to follow, even though the first part of his life is undocumented.
Thanks for the update on this leopard – he looked so familiar that I checked images from last June, when you hosted Barbara and me, and there I found a suspicious look-alike, seen June 1, 2024. The spot pattern, notch, those eyes, and his distinctive coat all matched. We watched him walk in a relaxed fashion until he crossed the river. Let’s hope he settles in some prime real estate at Londolozi!
Exciting news that a new male leopard has been seen during the past few weeks, given the available territory and the necessity for a non-related male to be available for the young female leopards who are at mating age. If Nottens left his natal territory to take over SB territory, that could work as a new male will need to take over Neweti’s territory, since he has fathered so many cubs in that southern area of SabiSabi. Ntomi could be a candidate as well as the Nomadic. I’ve also heard that Tortoise Pan has been back in Londolozi and he has grown into a formidable male – one who could keep Maxim from expanding his territory. Given there is change to come in the lion hierarchy, it appears the same is true for the leopards. Regardless of what happens, hopefully the Nomadic male will be given a name soon. Terrific report Kirst.
A new leopard arrival is always exciting! It looks as through he’s been through some rough times already in his young life, with his knicked ear and facial scarring. That, perhaps, is what may have brought him further away from the troubles he’s faced – a fresh start, so to speak. I hope he hangs around for awhile…
Hi Kirs, thanks for informing us of this Elusive Nomadic male leopard. Let’s hope he stays and does not get into trouble with the Maxim’s huge male.
What an exciting story: a new leopard at Londolozi. Great photos of this 3/2 male, Kirst.
It is certainly good and necessary that a new male is there to mate with the Maxim’s and other local males’ daughters. It’s very interesting to see what is going to happen, whether he will stay or move on after some time.
Super article. Do you have any idea of his age?
Kirst, Thanks for sharing info about this new male. Hoping he will find a place at Londolozi like Maxim’s did!