Where is the Mawelawela Male? – Londolozi Blog

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 the southwestern corner of Londolozi, where the habitat is generally wide open grasslands and considered unusual for leopards. Having said this, the Mawelawela Male has taken up territory here since his arrival, and by all accounts seems to be thriving.

Since my arrival here at Londolozi, I have only seen this male a handful of times, an unusually low number for a number of reasons. However, earlier this year, while mating with the Jacana Female we had the privilege of an incredible sighting of him in the open grasslands. Just last week we had another sighting of a male leopard, which we assume was the Mawelawela Male south of our southern boundary. Staring through binoculars at him lying in a tree some 300m away (another incredible spot from Tracker Ray Mabilane) had us thinking of his movements – so here is an update.

Pressure from both the expansion of the Maxims Male and the resulting shift in the territory of the Senegal Bush Male, combined with the unrelaxed nature of the Mawelawela Male makes both viewing and analyzing his movements difficult. What we can deduce from the semi-regular sightings and tracks of male leopards in what we deem to be his territory, is a general shift further south, and perhaps slightly west. With numerous drainage lines, rocky boulders and large fig trees provide good habitat, and an abundance of zebra, warthogs and even giraffe calves (all of which he has been seen hunting) keep him satisfied.

Fairly skittish male that is presumed to have come from the Kruger National Park.

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Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019

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The most current male leopard territories on Londolozi. The Three Rivers Young Male and Ntomi Male are not yet classified as territorial males hence their home range indicated by the dotted lines.

Male leopards in general will undergo two major territory shifts throughout their lives, one as they reach independence, and another as they start to lose condition around 10 years old (which he is at now) as their resulting offspring reach maturity. This secondary shift is vital in ensuring genetic diversity. With multiple mating bouts with the Mashaba Female, the Kiegalia Female, and as of January this year the Jacana Female the possibility of one of the young males in the area being his offspring is high.

The Mashaba female is currently Londolozi’s best-known leopard. Her relaxed nature means she is comfortable around the vehicles.

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This female leopard is found in the deep southwestern grasslands, occupying territory on what used to be her mother’s territory.

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With the Ntomi Male growing in both size and confidence in a similar area, this could potentially provide another element of pressure to an already intense area of conflict. Having been seen regularly in the same area, and seeming to be comfortable hunting young buffalo calves, the Ntomi Male is regularly seen trailing behind the large herds of buffalo as they move through the open grasslands.

A single cub of the Ximungwe Female’s second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.

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