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| Big territorial male leopards; Only territorial male leopards starting 60 kilograms and over | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 29 2012, 11:54 PM (256,437 Views) | |
| chui | Jun 2 2016, 09:54 AM Post #1306 |
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Heterotrophic Organism
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Hey Kurtz, there used to be a blog about the Tuli/Mashatu leopard project as well as various newletters but I can't find the exact page with the details on the weight of the above individual or others. I had saved the images and noted the recorded weight for future reference a few years ago. I do know that on the blog the lead researcher stated that the average weight of the male leopards in this project was 70.3kg (no mention of sample size) but I suspect that's probably inflated by stomach content. I'd imagine the male leopards in the Tuli area are probably around the same size as those in Kruger which isn't too far from this region. Here's a general summary of this project: Aspects of the ecology of leopards (Panthera pardus) in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve, Botswana I do know that a particularly big male captured by this project was weighed at 76kg, again can't find the original webpage but that's what I have noted down. This male, named Skebengwa, unfortunately died after a fairly minor wound got very badly infected. You can read about him here: Tribute to a King Another photo of "Skebengwa", looks like a short chunky male.  BTW great video of the leopard duel from Mala Mala, always cool to see 2 big males pacing side by side. |
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| 1977marc | Jun 2 2016, 09:44 PM Post #1307 |
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Heterotrophic Organism
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Chui, that male duel is Piva male against the Old war Lord, Bycicle crossing male. The Bike, is the smaller male ( but above average size > 70 kg if you ask me) but a very dominant male leopard even from a young age. I have never seen him lose a fight, 1 time against the Camp Pan male leopard ( one of the biggest males ever at the Sabi Sands). The bike is 14 years old and still territorial. Piva male, is a relative young leopard, 6 years old. To me he looks like a jaguar. Very muscular short legs, his head is kinda small compared to other males. He is 80 kg for sure.. He blongs in the top 5 in the Sabi Sands right now. His mental game is not top notch, like a The Bike, he is more timid. I will post another video of him crossing a river... Piva male , jaguar male leopard  Piva male , jaguar male leopard
Edited by 1977marc, Jun 2 2016, 09:52 PM.
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| Kurtz | Jun 3 2016, 03:32 AM Post #1308 |
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Kleptoparasite
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Thank you chui   tingana Jongosi male leopard at Phinda G.R. South Africa  this pic is from scientific research -Pantheras Edited by Kurtz, Jun 5 2016, 01:42 AM.
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| chui | Jun 5 2016, 06:20 AM Post #1309 |
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Heterotrophic Organism
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Hey Marc, yes I was very pleasantly surprised to see the Bicycle Crossing male was the other leopard in the video, this guy's been around for a long time! I always thought he was an impressive solidly built leopard. If I'm not mistaken, the Airstrip male is believed to be his son? Certainly looks like him and also an impressive looking male IMO. In fact to me it's the Airstrip male who looks like a jaguar with his broad head. Those familiar with skulls would notice the relatively broad interorbital region and well developed masseter muscles on this male. The Piva male with his incredibly thick neck is less jaguar like IMO, as impressive as jaguars are male leopards have them beat when it comes to neck musculature . One leopard from Sabi Sands which will always remain among my favourites was the big male featured in the 1997 documentary "Beauty and the Beasts". It was watching this documentary some 15 years ago that I realized how impressive male leopards actually are. Most reference books do not do justice to the physical potential of the leopard IMO and from what I recall reading and seeing as a kid in library books are depictions of this cat devoid of the impressive secondary characteristics (masculine looking head, pronounced neck/shoulder musculature, along with the dewlap) which define mature male leopards. It was looking at this big male when I first took note of these impressive features. The opening scene from "Beauty and the Beasts" showing the big male. Though I suspect the leopard in the footage with the actual warthog hunt is another individual judging by the coat pattern. Unfortunately, documentaries are often a mishmash of footage of different individuals put together to form a story. This was one of the better ones nonetheless. Edited by chui, Jun 5 2016, 06:23 AM.
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| ManEater | Jun 6 2016, 04:44 AM Post #1310 |
Omnivore
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Sri lanka: Yala, Sri-lanka:  %20-%20Yala%20NP,%20Sri%20Lanka%20Feb%202014%201.JPG)
Edited by ManEater, Jun 6 2016, 04:46 AM.
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| Kurtz | Jun 7 2016, 02:47 AM Post #1311 |
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Kleptoparasite
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Hey guys, the ratio neck head of Piva male SS recall me the Tyson male leopard @ Phinda G.R. in Zululand, that was the M3 leopard 70 plus kilos leopard followed by dr. Carl Walker and then by dr.Guy Balme. "A large male with the widest point of the neck 4 cm. larger than the widest point of the head" so they had problem with his radio-collar. Edited by Kurtz, Jun 7 2016, 03:17 AM.
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| 1977marc | Jun 8 2016, 06:45 PM Post #1312 |
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Heterotrophic Organism
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Hi Chui, I agree Airstrip looks more like a jaguar, with his squared face, and stocky build. Piva is just a very muscular male, reminds me of a jaguar in that way. Airstrip male is indeed son of the bike. He was raised by his grandmother en his twin brother was raised by his own mother. Airstrip is a small leopard by stature, but very bulky, his twin brother ( xovo) is much bigger, more like his father.   NEW UNKNOWN LEOPARD COLLARED Team AfriCat collared a new male leopard last night. A seemingly old male approx. 8 - 10 years. Body Measurements: Weight: 67 kg Shoulder height: 76 cm Body length: 82 cm He is in good physical condition with no visible injuries, we collared, microchipped and gave him a rabies shot. After allowing him time to recover from last nights immobilization, we released him this morning. We have a large presence of leopards within the Okonjima Nature Reserve that lived in the area before we completed the boundary fence in 2010. The AfriCat/Okonjima Predator Prey Density Study, has given us the opportunities to research the number of unknown cats that occur within the 22 000ha park area! Giving us a chance to understanding their territories and learn more about their behaviour as a species. The Okonjima Nature Reserve (Lat/Lon: 20º49’19.36’’S, 16º38’21.25’’E) is located in central Namibia approximately 50 km south of Otjiwarongo and compromises a total area of 22 000 ha. The study area is semi-arid and characterized by a marked seasonality. The annual precipitation averages approximately 450 mm. The Okonjima farm boundary traces a central plateau, on average an altitude of 1 600 meters, surrounded by the Omboroko Mountains. The vegetation can be mainly described as tree- and scrub savannah, interspersed with Yellow wood (Terminalia sericea) and several Acacia-species. Artificially constructed water reservoirs ensure the perennial supply of surface water. Okonjima was used intensively for the purpose of cattle farming from 1920 until 1993. Since then the private nature reserve has been used for carnivore rehabilitation and non-consumptive use of wildlife through eco-tourism. The reserve is surrounded by a 96 km electrified perimeter fence, completed in 2010, and is bordered entirely by commercial farmland. An additional fence is erected within the reserve and creates a 20 000 ha reserve for carnivore rehabilitation and a 2 000 ha "lodge area" that includes lodges and campsites as well as the AfriCat headquarters and the Environmental Education Centre. Leopards as well as brown hyenas (Hyena brunnae) occur naturally within the borders while cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are part of AfriCat’s rehabilitation program that have been released into the area. Lions (Panthera leo) are absent from the study area. Thus, leopards belong to the apex predators in the reserve that are playing an important role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem. #AfriCat #namibia #carnivore #conservation #leopard #research #survival #park #nonprofit http://www.africat.org/proj…/the-africat-predator-population- density-study-in-the-okonjima-nature-reserve/aoppds-phase-1 Edited by 1977marc, Jun 8 2016, 07:31 PM.
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| Kurtz | Jun 11 2016, 09:44 PM Post #1313 |
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Kleptoparasite
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Still from Namibia, classic big male https://www.facebook.com/LeopardResearchProject/?fref=photo |
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| ManEater | Jun 13 2016, 07:22 AM Post #1314 |
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Omnivore
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Nice male black panther from Bandipur forests in India: ( we can appreciate the musculature thanks to the melanic coat)
Edited by ManEater, Jun 13 2016, 07:34 AM.
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| 1977marc | Jun 18 2016, 12:39 AM Post #1315 |
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Heterotrophic Organism
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Proberly one of the biggest South Afrikan males I have ever seen, look at the size of his head. As Chui always mentions look at the size of the head compared to the ears...   And then my favourite male leopard in the Sabi Sands en in the top 5 in that area. WestStreet male leopard Edited by 1977marc, Jun 18 2016, 12:41 AM.
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| 1977marc | Jun 20 2016, 09:53 PM Post #1316 |
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Heterotrophic Organism
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More of Mr Anderson, 2 pics where he is very lean, but you can see how big his head is, and his frame, he stands 5 cm taller on his feet than other huge males in the area. His footprints are mistaken of a lioness  
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| Kurtz | Jun 22 2016, 01:29 AM Post #1317 |
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Kleptoparasite
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Nkosi Okonjima 61 kg. Mafana Okonjima 66-68 kg.   |
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| 1977marc | Jun 24 2016, 04:43 PM Post #1318 |
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Heterotrophic Organism
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this is how a 65-70kg male leopard looks like Mafala      Mafana dead SAYING GOODBYE TO OUR BIG BOY MAFANA - the end of a legend that will live on forever... We are all very saddened by the death of one another one of our legendary leopard males. Unfortunately the threat of younger and stronger territorial males is a big reality for the old boys within the Okonjima Nature Reserve. EACH IMAGE posted will be accompanied by a personal tribute to MAFANA written by Okonjima Guides & AfriCat Research team members who have spent years getting to know & love this big boy. Known for his INTENSE and MESMERISING stare, these are some of his best captures! May you Rest In Peace!!! "Saying good bye to Mafana is difficult. Fell in love with him from the first moment I saw him which was three years ago. At that stage he was still uncollared having lost his collar in a fight. I had a special connection with Mafana, he gave me brilliant sightings (depending on his mood) which included my first leopard hunt." Rest in peace Big Boy Richard - Okonjima Guide #AfriCat #namibia #leopard #carnivore #conservation #nonprofit #RIP #Mafana #research #wildlifephotography #wildlifeconservation Medical Finding of The Okonjima Nature Reserve's wild, free-roaming, male leopard: MAFANA, about 13/14 years of age on the 13th June 2016 during and after an emergency operation: Dr. D Rodenwoldt http://www.africat.org/…/…/our-vet-team/diethardt-rodenwoldt LAST WEIGHTS: 2010: 67kg 2012: 70kg 2014: 65kg 2016: 64kg Sunday, late afternoon an Okonjima guide reported a severe injury to the body of the male leopard called Mafana. A more thorough investigation by AfriCat, concluded that Mafana should be immediately be attended to due to some superficial and extensive, deep muscle and rib fracture injuries. He was darted and given fluids, painkillers and antibiotics and the part-time AfriCat veterinarian was immediately contacted who was unfortunately 500km from AfriCat HQ at the time. Under anesthesia the next morning, while opening up the various skin and muscle wounds, ribs 6,7,8 were either fractured or crushed, causing a left sided pneumothorax with one loose rib chip piece, protruding to the outside, with severe intercostal muscle and skin lacerations. The left middle and diaphragmatic lung lobes were also punctured, which caused a localized pulmonary emphysema. Due to the extend and severity of the trauma some fluid started to accumulate inside the left chest cavity (hydro-thorax), which already showed signs of being infected. Despite intense supportive treatment applied before and during the operation, he passed away while under aneasthetic. The massive soft tissue damage, the multiple rib fractures, with the pain factor endured, the start of an infection, associated with an upcoming toxemia with its metabolic effect on other organs in the body, all contributed to a weakened heart, giving the operation only a minimal chance and ending terminal. We believe all wounds resulted from another territorial fight. Each one claiming their territory. The deep skin lacerations on both sides from the shoulder, top back and upper loin area were most likely inflicted by the claws. The left side mid upper rib fractures and penetration into the thorax, we believe was caused by the canine teeth bite. Normally a leopard would hold and kill its prey by the neck, but it seemed that Mafana could have been surprised by his competition while on a kill . . . We suspect, while Mafana was eating a freshly killed antelope, the other male possibly stalked from behind, attacking him by surprise. Mafana, at the last moment, must have become aware of an eminent upcoming danger and leapt forward, trying to escape the onslaught, but still caught in the jump, thus resulting in the specific location of the wound sites, which were predominantly behind the should on his back and across his spine. Edited by 1977marc, Jun 24 2016, 04:57 PM.
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| Kurtz | Jul 1 2016, 07:10 AM Post #1319 |
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Kleptoparasite
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Doc. Tristan Dickerson with a classic big male in Zululand https://www.flickr.com/photos/pantheracats/6050260888 http://www.iol.co.za/capetimes/shembe-change-their-spots-1934368 |
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| 1977marc | Jul 8 2016, 04:56 PM Post #1320 |
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Heterotrophic Organism
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 monster of a SA leopard!!!!Leopard - Isimangaliso Wetlands ( Catalina bay Male )  
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6:04 PM Jul 13
