Photo by: Luke Hunter

Tyson

* Fitted with a GPS collar since July 2004.

Surely the great grandfather of all leopards in Zululand. This brute of a cat, weighing in at 80kg (15kg heavier than any other male recorded!), has somehow managed to doggedly survive the hail of rifle fire, trapping and poaching that must have followed in his footsteps for the past decade. No-one is exactly certain of how old Tyson really is, although he was definitely seen in the area as a fully developed male at least seven years ago. His name stems from the fact that his left ear is conspicuously missing; presumably lost in a fight with another male leopard or possibly a hyena. He is the veritable willo-the-wisp, moving in and out of Phinda with such rapidity that, for the most part, only his tracks are left as evidence of his brief visits. Eventually, in July 2004, he was captured and a cellular collar placed on him that has finally unravelled some of the mysteries of his extensive movements. His territory is massive; covering an area similar in size to the whole of Phinda and spanning at least seven different properties. Due to its considerable size, it takes him some time to patrol his entire boundary and, as such, it appears as if a number of younger males (like Sinkwe) are taking advantage of this and establishing themselves within the borders of his range. Still, however, his bloodline must run deeply through a large portion of the region's population and hopefully we will be graced with his presence for many years to come.

To adopt Tyson, click here.

Last updated February 2005.