DECEMBER 2000

Location: SOUTHCENTRAL MALA MALA/ CENTRAL & W FLOCKFIELD/ WESTERN CHARLESTON (east of the river)

(11 sightings)
The Rock Drift Male continued to function with the efficiency and hard work which has now come to be expected of him. At the beginning of this game report period he and the Newington Female completed the mating which began as the previous report was being written. The get-togethers of these two leopards appeared to attract quite a bit of attention. This month they were being observed by the year-old daughter of the Kapen Female, but she appeared quite alarmed by the presence of the two and soon left the scene. A day or so prior to this and mentioned in last months report, the mating of the two was being watched by one of the sons of the paradise Valley Female, this before a male lion scattered all three leopards. At the end of the month, the Rock Drift Male was again mating, this time with the old Chellahanga Female. Given her mating record over the last year and a half, it is not expected that she will fall pregnant. Other than these two matings, the Rock Drift Male was seen to do the regular patrols of his borders, sustaining the large energy requirements with kills as he went. Regarding territory marking, the Rock Drift Male was seen to move more east and north of the area he has customarily been patrolling, and marking these areas with great thoroughness. These 'new' areas would then push somewhat into the area thought to be controlled by the male leopard so fond of killing warthogs and with which the Rock Drift Male has interacted in the past. The northerly movements this month of the Rock Drift Male would also push more into the southerly limits of the large male leopard which mated with the Mlowathi Female and Ngoboswan Female, the same male which was probably the past mate of the Newington Female. These areas also represent what could be regarded as core territory for the White Cloth Female and her movement of cubs to the east may have been the reason for the Rock Drift Male also following; the heavy patrolling of the area would probably discourage other male leopards from entering the area and perhaps killing her cubs. The behaviour of both the Rock Drift Male and White Cloth Female over the past few months has suggested more and more that he is the father of her current litter.

NOVEMBER 2000

Location: CENTRAL & W FLOCKFIELD/ CHARLESTON (east of the river)/ TOULON (north of the river)

(15 sightings - several of these of him with other leopards)
The Rock Drift Male continued to provide some of the best leopard viewing during November with kills, matings and other leopard behaviour all being witnessed this month. Of the matings seen, one event was with a young and quite nervous female. This lasted for perhaps three days and the female followed him for many kilometers from close to the southern Mala Mala/ Kruger National Park boundary until the edge of his territory on the Sand River on the central western parts of the reserve. A lioness from the Eyrefield Pride finally broke up this get-together when she chased the two leopards. On either side of this mating, the Rock Dirft Male also mated with the Newington Female, once at the beginning of the month and then again three or so weeks later. These two leopards have now been seen mating at least four times in the last few months. During the course of the second mating, the two leopards were again chased by a lion. The two afore-mentioned events were certainly not the only lion encounters the Rock Drift Male experienced this month. At the beginning of the game-report-period, he was seen killing an adult female impala and immediatley hoisting it up a large Jakkalberry tree. The kill jammed in a fork of the tree and no matter what the leopard did, he could not pull it any higher. Letting go, the kill thudded to the ground and the Rock Drift Male descended to start feeding, first pulling the foetus out. Partly satisfied, the leopard then examined the tree more closely and took the carcass high up into the branches, wedging it securely. However, the following day, whilst he was away drinking, some lionesses from the Eyrefield Pride arrived on the scene, scaled the tree and stole the kill. Fortunately for the leopard he returned cautiously and saw the lions - goodness knows what frustration he must have felt upon seeing that his hard-earned meal had been taken, but given the nature of these spotted cats, he wisely retreated, saving himself for another time. Relative to local observations of other male leopards, the Rock Drift Male appears more fatherly than most. This month he was seen interacting with at least two of his offspring, showing nothing but apparent affection and paternal pride. In the one instance, one of his sons, one of the approximately 2-year-old cubs of the Paradise valley Female, was permitted to eat almost an entire female bushbuck which the Rock Drift Male had killed and taken into a tree. Whilst the young leopard was on the kill, the Rock Drift Male was at the base of the tree, showing not the slighest bit of aggression. On another occasion he paid a brief visit to the Kapen Female and year-old daughter, again displaying no behaviour which may have demanded submission from these smaller leopards. The need to control territory has been noted on more than one occasion and the bigger the area, the greater the number of other leopards involved and the more regularly it should be that a territory is patrolled and marked. So important is this for the Rock Drift Male that at one time during November, he was seen to abandon approximately 20% of the caracss of an adult female Nyala in a tree so that he could wander off and circle his domain.

OCTOBER 2000

Location: CENTRAL & WESTERN FLOCKFIELD/ WESTERN & CENTRAL CHARLESTON

(14 sightings)
The Rock Drift Male provided some really good viewing this month, but, by the end of things, was probably a much-fatigued animal. At the beginning of the month, the Rock Drift Male was seen with what was probably the Newington Female, circumstances prevented identification. A day or so later this same leopard was seen with the male, somewhat further north and east and watched by the Paradise Valley Female in whose territory they were. Several days later the Rock Drift Male and the Newington Female emerged from the bushes of eastern Flockfield, not much further north of where this last sighting had occurred. Both leopards were noticeably thin, indicating that they had just completed a lengthy mating session. Two weeks later the Rock Drift Male was again mating, this time with the old Chellahanga Female which simply refuses to fall pregnant. This mating lasted several days, with the male abandoning the Chellahanga Female when she still seemed keen to continue - a duiker running past the pair as they were copulating caused the male to dash off, never to return, this in spite of the fact that the Chellahanga Female followed some ways after him. That evening the Rock Drift Male was being followed by another female leopard, this time a young and nervous female whose identity was not known. Although this young leopard was certainly eager to get the males' attention and he was quite aware of her presence, he was not seen to respond and continued on what appeared to be a territory marking exercise. This would of course be something to take note of in the highly competitive world of territory maintenance; if too much time is spent in sedentary mating, the patrols and protection of territorial borders may well be neglected. Towards the beginning of the game report period the White Cloth Female joined the Rock Drift Male at a kill which he had made. It is not known if the Rock Drift Male is the father of the litter of cubs born to the White Cloth Female this month. In spite of her meeting up with him, the White Cloth Female still wanders far outside his territorial limits.

SEPTEMBER 2000

Location: WESTERN FLOCKFIELD/ CHARLESTON

(9 sightings)
The Rock Drift Male continued to dominate the centre-south of Mala Mala, appearing perhaps more vigorous than ever before. Towards the beginning of this game report period he was found mating with the old Chellahanga Female, she having followed him far north out of her territory, at one stage entering even the southern parts of the area covered by the White Cloth Female. Towards the middle of the month the Rock Drift Male was again in business, this time with the Newington Female which had a few days earlier been mating with her old mate from further north. The reason why she would abandon him and seek out the Rock Drift Male is not certain, but perhaps the latter is younger and the Newington Female could sense the greater vigour. What remains to be seen is whether she will try to move so that her territory overlaps with his, or whether the Rock Drift Male pushes north and west over the Sand River to claim the current territory of the Newington Female. There was a brief interaction between the Rock Drift Male and the male leopard which has established himself to the south and west of the Sand River opposite where the Rock Drift Male roams. The meeting was over the distance of the riverbed and the leopards were merely aware of the presence of the other and no physical contact was made.

AUGUST 2000

Location: CENTRAL & WESTERN FLOCKFIELD/ CENTRAL & SE CHARLESTON/ NE TOULON

(9 sightings)
The Rock Drift Male continued to provide good viewing this month with both sides of a leopard, the majestic and the disgusting, being seen. Fulfilling the latter was a sighting of the Rock Drift Male eating the putrid carcass of an adult baboon which had evidently died some days before being found by the leopard. Unfortunately human values often misinterpret such behaviour and the noble golden cat becomes a lowly scavenger. In reality, however, it represents a successful carnivore, prepared to eat whatever protein is available, so wasting nothing. And given the vast territory which the Rock Drift Male must cover, every scrap of energy is needed. Over the last few months the reappearance of an old adversary raised speculation that the northerly territorial advances shown some months ago by the Rock Drift male would cease and that he would consolidate his area south of the Kapen River. However, this month he was once again north of this stream, this time finding the remains of another leopards' kill (an impala) in a tree. The other leopard, perhaps the White Cloth Female, was not seen and once these scraps had been eaten, the Rock Drift Male moved south again. At one sighting along what is believed to be the very south-eastern boundary of his territory, the Rock Drift Male was seen pacing alongside another male leopard. The two of them were not seen to interact physically and after some posturing, both went their separate ways, evidently satisfied that they had reaffirmed their common boundary.

JULY 2000

Location: CENTRAL & WESTERN FLOCKFIELD/ CENTRAL & WESTERN CHARLESTON

(11 sightings)
The Rock Drift Male continued with his performance as a dominant male leopard of the central-west and southern parts of Mala Mala north of the Sand River. However, the pressure applied by the other large male which has returned to the area has probably been responsible for the Rock Drift Male staying away from the areas north of the Kapen River, so somewhat excluding the White Cloth Female from his territory. This, however, may be a good thing for the other female leopards which occupy the remainder of his domain as it should allow him to consolidate and hold that area with greater effect, so protecting it from the incursions of other males. As always, these territorial demands meant that the Rock Drift Male covered ground with great pace, killing when he could and consuming such carcasses with great speed. Perhaps the most noteworthy event involving the Rock Drift Male and which was recorded during this game report period was him mating with the old Chellahanga Female. Historically it has been seen that the Chellahanga Female battles to fall pregnant and this again appears to be the case as this is the latest of several matings between this pair.

JUNE 2000

Location: WESTERN FLOCKFIELD/ SOUTHERN CHARLESTON

(8 sightings)
The Rock Drift Male continued to give fine viewing this month, roaming vast areas of the reserve. It has been speculated that although this large male leopard is certainly powerful and full of energy, he may have somewhat over-expanded and would struggle to effectively control his area. This month there was some indication of battles to come with the reappearance after many months of an old adversary of his, another large male which the Rock Drift Male had several interactions with last year. This other male leopard was at the time the loser in these territorial stand-off's, but now that he has returned appears bigger and more confidant. There were several days this month when this male was found deep within the area regarded as being prime Rock Drift Male territory. Confrontation is inevitable; it may be long-term and violent or it may be just the opposite and new or existing boundaries will be agreed upon. Nevertheless, the Rock Drift Male will be facing a major challenge in the near future. There are of course always other factors which could influence the health of a leopard and hence which controls what territory. This month the Rock Drift Male narrowly escaped death when, after killing an impala, lions of the Eyrefield Pride chased him up a tree. The lions would dearly have liked to have taken the kill, but at the same time would have settled with killing the leopard, this simply to remove any potential competition from the area. Fortunately the vigilance and agility of the leopard won the day and he escaped.

MAY 2000

Location: CENTRAL & WESTERN FLOCKFIELD/ NORTH CENTRAL CHARLESTON

(9 sightings)
Sightings of the Rock Drift Male during May continued to reflect his movements to the north of the Kapen River, extending as far as the lower reaches of the Matshapiri. Given his now substantial territory, he has continued to cover it with remarkable pace, but at the same time, having to 're-fuel' all the time to get enough energy to continue. Such is the appetite of this large leopard that an adult impala will be consumed in only 36 hours. One of the kills which the Rock Drift Male made this month was hoisted into a tree not well chosen. Apparently lions had chanced upon the hunting leopard and in his urgency to prevent the impala which he had killed from falling into the claws of the lions, the leopard clambered up the first available tree. Not only was the tree very thin which made the physical aspects of eating exceptionally difficult, but the pelvis of the impala became wedged in a fork of the tree, preventing the leopard from moving it to another location. This resulted in some hilarious contortions as the large cat attempted to feed from the kill. Earlier in the month this leopard lost an adult female impala kill to three hyaenas as he was still strangling the antelope. As large in size as he is and as dominant as he may be, the Rock Drift Male is still a leopard - solitary and vulnerable to pack animals such as hyaenas and lions. Of course one thing which the Rock Drift Male must be careful of is trying to claim too large a territory. This could end up with him being absent from one far-flung area for too long, so allowing other males access to the females. For the Rock Drift Male the temptation is surely there; the demise of the Island Crossing Male as well as the flooded Sand River has left the areas south and west of his usual range vacant and ripe for take-over. If this is done, then he may include the Toulon Female into his growing harem or force her out of the area should another male on the opposite bank of the Sand River 'claim' her. However, expansionist policy from the Rock Drift Male could be carried too far and future consolidation may become necessary.

FEBRUARY/ MARCH/ APRIL 2000

Location: WESTERN FLOCKFIELD

(8 sightings)
The Rock Drift Male leopard has, as suspected several months ago, continued to expand his range further north, now venturing onto the lower reaches of the Matshapiri River. Reports from the film crew working on Mala Mala had him mating with the White Cloth Female in mid-March and with the Chellahanga Female in late April. The mating with the White Cloth Female took place close to the northern bank of the Sand River on NE Toulon, far south on the reserve. It is not known if the Rock Drift Male has made any movements to dominate the area east of the Sand River on western Charleston, this once part of the territory of the late Island Crossing Male. However, with his present movements and matings, the Rock Drift Male has at least four female leopards within his territory. It will be interesting to see if he does move even further north so that his territory encompasses the complete area controlled by the White Cloth Female. Certainly if his mating with this female proves fruitful, cub survival will be greatly enhanced if male control is absolute. However, as dominant as this confidant male leopard may be, things could of course alter overnight as was nearly the situation during April when the Rock Drift Male was found sporting some nasty looking wounds, perhaps from an encounter with a dangerous prey animal such as a Warthog or from another predator such as lion or hyaena. Effective territorial control also means that the boundaries of such an area get patrolled on a regular basis. In the case of the Rock Drift Male, the size of his territory means a massive energy expenditure and this can been seen not only with the number of kills he makes, but also the speed with which such carcasses are consumed.

JANUARY 2000

Location: CENTRAL WEST FLOCKFIELD/ CENTRAL CHARLESTON

(12 sightings)
The Rock Drift Male again provided some good viewing during January and has certainly consolidated his hold on the central and southern areas of Mala Mala. His behaviour indicates that he is still expanding his territory slightly, now being seen regularly west of the Kapen River and close to the Sand River. His northward movements seem to be as far as the Kapen River where it flows more east-west and he has now been encountered as far south as the Sand River where it flows east-west. This territory then includes at least three female leopards, these being the Kapen and Chellahanga Females and the female which has a territory to the north east of the Chellahanga Female. How the death of the Island Crossing Male will affect things will need to be seen, but if the Rock Drift Male does move west to incorporate the eastern bank of the Sand River on Charleston and Toulon, then this would put him squarely into the territory of the Toulon Female which has a male cub of a year or so of age. Since this cub was fathered by the Island Crossing Male and is still dependent upon the Toulon Female, he would be in danger of being killed by the Rock Drift Male. Several of the sightings of the Rock Drift Male were of him with impala kills. The energy required to regularly patrol his territory can be seen with the speed with which these kills have been consumed. Any neglect on territory maintenance would be quickly picked up by other eager male leopards and acted upon, so not only are kills consumed with speed, but also as soon as this has happened, the Rock Drift Male paces off to patrol.

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