The territorial shifts of the large male leopards around the Sand River has been a hot topic for quite some time now. All of the talk and mere speculation suddenly became reality just the other day.
Walking with purpose, one of the first photographs of the Gowrie male on the southern bank of the Sand River.
The Gowrie male first appeared in the Sabi Sands around 2011. Judging by his size, he is estimated to have been born around 2005/6.
Greg Pingo and tracker Andrea Sithole had been following tracks of a male leopard through the whole of Marthly, a mammoth effort with little reward. The tracks came all the way from our north eastern boundary and snaked across the north of Londolozi until they reached the river. A perplexed but persistent team, the two continued to look for signs of the large leopard who they assumed to be the Gowrie male. The morning’s search was not over and there were soon to be new developments. Tracker Foster Masiye and I had received a report of a leopard in the area and went in to have a look on foot. Rounding a bush I saw a massive male leopard, assuming it was the Marthly male I approached slowly and was blown away when my gaze connected with the unmistakable orange glow of the Gowrie males’ eyes! He was here, on the southern bank after months of anticipation and I was lucky enough to be one of the first to see him in this new and uncharted territory of his.
The new male to the area, with a 4:4 spot pattern, pale eyes and a prominent notch in his right ear.
His forequarters and neck are no where near as well developed as the bigger males he is competing with.
The Gowrie male has been seen as far south as the nothern bank of the river multiple times now, but until then, never on southern bank. The Marthly male has been the dominant male over this piece of Londolozi south of the river for the last few years but lately he is not the only male that has been seen in the area. A new young male, smaller in stature than his competitors has got plans of his own for the area west of camp south of the river. A relatively unknown male that has been seen on a few occasions but has largely been elusive and shy around vehicles has made him difficult to view.
This has continued to pressure the Marthly male who has not been seen north of the river this year. His territory constricting day by day. It is time for new genes to move into the area and they come in the means of younger stronger leopards. The pressure pot west of camp will soon reach boiling point and lines with have to be drawn. It is going to be interesting to see which leopard comes out on top!
The Gowrie male on patrol in the north of Londolozi.
This is not the last we will see of the Gowire male in the south but could it be the last we see of the Marthly male?
This male moved in from the north of the reserve in 2010, and was instantly recognisable by his unique tuft of fur at the back of his neck.
Written and photographed by Simon Smit
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Interesting leopard dynamics. Great pics
Marthly male will not go without a good scrap.
A few weeks ago he still kicked Tu Tones ass over a warthog. Lamula/Gowrie male is not that massive so I expect he has to wait a little longer.
Gowrie male was pushed out by bigger males in the North, Mvula male and Tingana
I love the Marthly Male…so beautiful and regal, so I hope it is not the last we see of him Simon. I know it is nature but I find it so sad when the end of a reign comes and then one day we no longer see them. Your photographs are all stunning and really show the Gowrie Male’s beautiful orange eyes.
Does Gowrie have any Londolozi ancestors?
Very Interesting. The Gowrie male is being sighted less and less in his northern territory (off Londo). Would be great to see some more orange eyed leopards, right? However, I do think the Marthly male will not give up his territory without a fight.
Last August the Marthly male was the first leopard we saw at Londolozi and only our second ever. He came to a buffalo carcass after all the hyenas left and we then followed him as he patrolled his territory on a great bush drive. Later that day we saw Tu Tones on an impala and the next day witnessed Gowrie mating with the Tutlwa female.
7 months ago life seemed pretty good for these guys now all are under pressure.
Great following the dynamics of the bush thru the blog.
HI SIMON,
I TRUST THAT YOU ARE WELL FRIEND. GREAT BLOG AND SOME VERY NICE SHOTS!
THIS IS VERY INTERESTING BUT NOT UNEXPECTED AS I HAVE HEARD FROM A FRIEND WHO VISITS THE LODGE TO THE NORTH THAT HE HAS BEEN UNDER A BIT OF PRESSURE FROM THE MALES IN THE NORTH!
THE LEOPARD DYNAMICS WHICH WILL DEVELOPE ARE INTRIGUING AND I WILL BE BACK IN JULY FOR 10 NIGHTS TO HOPEFULLY WITNESS SOME OF THESE DYNAMICS.
HOW MUCH INFORMATION HAS BEEN GATHERED REGARDING THE POSSIBILITY OF THE NANGA FEMALE CUB/S IF ANY? I AM VERY INTERESTED TO HEAR WHETHER THERE IS ANY NEWS REGARDING THE CUBS WHICH WE SAW IN FEBRUARY!
KEEP WELL AND HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE AROUND FROM THE 16TH JULY?
KIND REGARDS, TED.
Thank you for the update Simon, its so great to see this Male continue to go from Strength to strength. I believe the Marthly male will put up a fight, however so long as the Campan Male becomes less dominant in south central Londoz, the Marthly male may just allow himself to drift into this old territory of Camp Pans.