December 2011
GOWRIE MALE 12 YEARS 8 MONTHS
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD (2 sightings)
This old male was only viewed twice this month. Once in the lower reaches of the Manyelethi, and the other time near Mlowathi Dam. He was feeding on tortoises both times, and not looking good at all. We can only assume that he won’t be around for much longer. This is a sad but inevitable fate for these majestic creatures. It will be interesting to see what territory wars transpire in the near future over this once great male’s homeland.
November 2011
GOWRIE MALE 12 YEARS 7 MONTHS
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD (0 sightings)
There were no sightings of the male during the month.
October 2011
GOWRIE MALE 12 YEARS 6 MONTHS
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD (3 sightings)
We saw the Gowrie male twice at the Old Borehole, and then once at Mlowathi Dam. With the Emsagwen male out of the picture, we fully expected this male to encroach further south in the Mlowathi River, claiming what was once the Emsagwen male’s territory there. This has not been the case though, as he seems to have kept the same territory he has had for the past few years.
September 2011
GOWRIE MALE 12 YEARS 5 MONTHS
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD (1 sighting)
Even with the disappearance of the Emsagwen male, we only spotted the Gowrie male once during the report period. It was right at the beginning of the month, when he was in the vicinity of the Ostrich Koppies female and her cub on an impala kill. Whether or not he will try and shift his territory southwards in order to claim what the Emsagwen male has left behind, is a question that will only be answered as time passes.
August 2011
GOWRIE MALE 12 YEARS 4 MONTHS
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD (1 sighting)
Late one evening at the end of the month this old man was found wandering the northern reaches of the Mlowathi. He was in excellent condition and scent marking as he went. He nearly walked into one of the Styx lionesses, but his senses saved him and he managed to sneek off undetected. With the disappearance of the Emsagwen male, he might just try and reclaim his old hunting grounds.
July 2011
GOWRIE MALE 12 YEARS 3 MONTHS
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD
(0 sightings)
There were no sightings of the male during the month.
June 2011
GOWRIE MALE 12 YEARS 2 MONTH
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD
(0 sightings)
There were no sightings of the male during the month.
May 2011
GOWRIE MALE 12 YEARS 1 MONTH
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD
(0 sightings)
There were no sightings of the male during the month.
April 2011
GOWRIE MALE 12 YEARS
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD
(0 sightings)
March 2011
GOWRIE MALE 11 YEARS 11 MONTHS
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD
(1 sightings)
The one sighting we had of this male was when he stole a kill off the ostrich Koppies female. She had managed to kill an impala and her and the cub were feeding on it when the male showed up and made off with the kill with the female and a herd of elephants hot on his tail. Interesting to note during the interaction was that the male didn't show any aggression towards the cub. The Emsagwen male has also come across the cub with the same result so the Ostrich Koppies female has done a wonderful job in making both males believe they are the father. The Gowrie male looked in impressive form even for his advanced age.
February 2011
GOWRIE MALE 11 YEARS 10 MONTHS
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD
(4 sightings)
The Gowrie male has made his presence felt far more this month compared to only being seen once last month. He still roams in the North Western parts of Eyrefield and most of the sightings have been around Mlowathi dam. He was however on one occasion seen further south and east of his usual route. The bulk of his territory continues to be to the North of the property however an increase in sightings may be a sign that he is still a force around the Mlowathi region.
January 2011
GOWRIE MALE 11 YEARS 9 MONTHS
NORTHWESTERN EYREFIELD
(1sighting)
Seen only the once this past report period up close to Mlowathi Dam. It was a very exciting sighting as guests were able to watch him chase after two cheetah. The smaller cats proved too wise for him and agile and after been tired out he left them alone but then went on to catch a baby impala. Sightings of this male will probably always be few and far between as the area where he is viewed is out of the core of his territory.
