Famous leopard at Mala Mala has passed away. He was quite the 'Dude'.

Read Kim Wolhuter's comments on his website. Kim did a film on Tjololo a few years back "Stalking Leopards" following "TJ" in the Mala Mala Reserve.

I know we should not name wild animals, but Tjololo was certainly a celebrity and will be missed.

Rest in Peace Tjololo!

http://www.wildcast.net/

I am sad to read that he is gone and I won't have the chance to see him in person next year. I had no idea porcupine's quills were so deadly. Thanks for the post Dana, that looks like an interesting website that I will check out later.

RIP Tjololo.

I'm sorry to hear he's gone. I so enjoyed watching him in 2001. The leopards of MM are usually given names according to their territories. His official name was the Rock Drift Male, but Wolhuter gave him the name "Tjololo" for the film. In addition to the film, he was on the cover of National Geographic and featured in an article by Wolhuter. I believe it was the Oct 2001 issue.

RIP Tjololo! You gave so many of us such pleasure.

Porcupine quills are deadly if other than a stick on the surface. If 5" into a body, as article mentions, would be painful and do quite a bit of damage to body organs.

That is sad, I had the opportunity to see him on a number of occasions over the years and will remember his character fondly. He will always be remembered because a beautiful picture taken by Kim Wolhuter has pride of place in the Rattrays bar.

Just received an email from Mala Mala about his death.

"Tom Bloy, the Manager of MalaMala, traveled to inspect the animal and confirmed the animal's condition was not good. Michael Rattray, the owner of MalaMala who is not disposed to intervening in nature, irrespective of the circumstances, was moved by the state of Tjololo and requested the Kruger National Parks Veterinary Services to assist. "

You can read the rest online.

No news on the MM website, just some of his past history:

http://www.malamala.tv/LEOP_rockdrif.htm

Been reading and learning more about porcupines this am.

I also got the e-mail. If you didn't get it, Carla, I could forward it to you.

sorry to hear ......

This weeks Mala Mala cyberdiary has Tjololo's final photos & short story on Nov 13th. So very sad to see. Those porcupine quills are bigger than I imagined.

http://www.malamala.tv/diary.htm

Sad, I had never seen him in real life but new about him well. He was quite a TV star and a survivor, surprises me he finally got done by a porcupine!

Nobody does a wildlife cyberdiary like Mala Mala, not even close.

regards - tom

Also received email about this tragedy a couple of weeks ago. We actually saw a young leopard who encountered a porcupine at night back in May 2007. I posted a small video clip of the encounter.

It was my thought that the age of this older male leopard and ill health was primary factor is in his death as well as the infection caused by the porcupine quill.

-GrannyJoan

PS Has Kaye left for Mala Mala yet? Wish I was at Mala Mala for the holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Hi GrannyJoan

No yet - we leave home Saturday 15 December pm and I will be gameviewing Sunday 16 December pm and I cannot wait - 3 weeks from this Sunday. MM's gameviewing has been fantastic and I cannot wait!!!

Kind regards

Kaye

Kaye,

I will be thinking of you during that time period and know that you will be having a marvelous holiday at Mala Mala. Have a safe and fantastic safari!

-GrannyJoan

Thanks GrannyJoan,

I know that we shall have a fantastic time!

Kind regards

Kaye

Hi Kaye,

Just about two weeks to go for your trip - not long!

Sorry, if i've asked you this question before - what time does the AM drive start i.e.,summer schedule?

Thanks
Hari

Hi Hari

I leave 3 weeks today! I believe you meet for coffee/tea at 6am after a 5.30am wake-up, so for me, gameviewing at 6.01am!

Kind regards

Kaye

Another tribute to Tjololo:

http://www.malamala.tv/tjololo.htm


Kaye....I am very excited for you to be able to spend the holidays in South Africa! So far, so good for the cubbies

Hi Kaye,

Not too long, i guess...

Thanks - 6am sounds good .....

Rgds
Hari