Splitnose, the Leopard King, Loses His Crown

After a long break, yours truly is back online and this blog is a tribute to a cat that holds a special place in my heart... 

Splitnose, the legendary male leopard of the Maasai Mara, has lost his grip on his vast kingdom. The once-dominant cat has been forced to retreat to his first territory of dominance, after being challenged by younger and more aggressive males.

Splitnose's decline has been a long time coming. He is now 15-17 years old, which is considered to be old age for a leopard. He has also suffered a number of injuries over the years, including a broken canine and the legendary scar across his nose. These injuries and his age are now making it difficult for him to defend his territory and his mates.

In recent months, Splitnose has been challenged by a number of younger males. These males are stronger and more agile than him, and they have been able to take advantage of his age and injuries. As a result, Splitnose has been forced to give up control of much of his territory.

Splitnose's retreat is a reminder of the harsh realities of life in the wild. Even the most dominant animals eventually reach a point where they can no longer hold on to their power. However, Splitnose's story is also one of resilience. Despite his age and injuries, he has refused to give up completely. He has returned to his first territory, where he is still able to find food and mates.

It is unclear how long Splitnose will be able to maintain his dominance in his new territory. However, one thing is for sure: he is a true leopard king, and his story is one of strength, resilience, and determination.

What does this mean for the future of Splitnose?

It is difficult to say what the future holds for Splitnose. He is still a powerful leopard, but he is no longer the dominant force that he once was. It is possible that he will be able to hold on to his new territory, but it is also possible that he will be challenged again by younger males.

Only time will tell what the future holds for Splitnose. However, one thing is for sure: he is a true leopard king, and his story is one of strength, resilience, and determination.

Splitnose perched on a tree

A tail take sign