TJOLOLO – THE LEGEND
This morning Tjololo was found on Mala Mala in a really bad way.
His was very lean, his coat looking terrible and had many porcupine quills stuck in his body. A vet was called in and Tjololo was darted. He had quills in his throat his chest and even his paws. Some quills about 5 inches deep in his body. The vet removed these all and cleaned him up, but Tjololo never came round again after antidote was administered.
This was probably the best way for him to go, as he would probably just have continued to suffer in ill health.
I first saw Tjololo in 1999 as a young 4 year old leopard setting up his territory on Mala Mala Game Reserve. It was then I made a film about him, “Stalking Leopards” for National Geographic. I spent 18 months in the field with him following his every movement every day. He became a close friend as this image alone speaks to.
Tjololo had just killed this kudu cow and was dragging it off. I got out the vehicle and lay on the ground to take photos. He could drag the carcass anywhere, but wanted to go where I was lying, and so did just that. He dragged the kudu within touching distance of me and didn’t so much as give me a glance. What a trusting dude.
He was small male leopard but feisty. As time went by Tjololo began to take control of a larger territory encompassing nearly the whole of Mala Mala. On several occasions he came across much bigger males who we thought were REAL dudes and in just about every confrontation the little man came out the victor. And then in time he started trespassing outside Mala Mala still increasing his domain. He RULED!
But in the last 6 months his condition has been seen to deteriorate as he’s been getting on and would now be 12 years old. Not a bad innings for a male leopard.
I left Mala Mala in 2005 in which time I’d made another 2 films, “Predators at War” and “Hyena Queen”, both of which featured Tjololo in numerous sequences.
He also did me really proud when he was the feature of my cover story in the National Geographic Magazine 2001.
He was a very special leopard and I’m just so grateful to have shared so much time with him.
Sorry to hear about Tjololo - but it is good that you know what happened to one of your special animal friends. You certainly made him proud with excellent photos. I hope he had many offspring.
I have so enjoyed the pics. of Tjololo, and can sense in your writing the loss that you feel.
What always made me feel good was the fact that this leopard had the change to live as intended–in the wild.
Fortunately, zoos are changing. Natural habitats are replacing the cages that were common when I was a child. I always remembered the cats pacing back and forth–just so unnatural for them.
Thanks for all the pics, videos and the stories, especially Tjololo.
Am stunned. But grateful for all of his years, and the fact that he was not killed by a supposed “hunter.” He was fine yesterday…were there too many quills too deep for him to falter so quickly?
Goodbye, Tojololo, you were the greatest.
Thank you, Kim, for making it possible to know him.
What sad and mournful tidings… But then, he’s lived a good life, and in a way he got lucky that he was found and didn’t have to suffer any longer.
I’ve only seen TJ on 2 occasions myself and I still consider myself very lucky for that.
Thanks Kim, for sharing your wonderful stories about him and brilliant sightings of him with us for all these years. For you it must feel like losing a close friend.
RIP Tjololo
Thank you Kim for sharing this amazing bond you had with this very special dude. Like Jose said, it must feel like loosing a friend.
I am the Yahoo group owner of Africam Addicts and we all are saddened to hear of his passing. We were just talking about you and he yesterday. You both gave us so many viewing hours of pleasure. It made us feel like we were right there with you, especially when you would write us messages on a sign board.
I remember the night Tjololo spent the whole night, trapped in a tree, with his kill, because a pride of lions had the tree surrounded.
We watched in amazement at how close he would let you get to him.
We imagined how thrilled you must of been to have gained the trust and friendship of this very wild and beautiful big cat.
May he rest in peace and I am glad you were there to see him over the bridge.
From all your friends at Africam Addicts and myself.
Such sad, sad news….
I remember following him around and crying when he was ill, urging him on to find a mate and feeling disapointed when he didn’t and then celebrating when he finally did, feeling sorry for him when his kill was stolen or when he was trapped in a tree with his kill for the night… so many memories as we followed him for weeks on end… and to finally see the finished product, (It was called “He Who Walks Alone” or something to that effect here), and then feeling disapointed in the shortness of the movie after ALL we had been through with TJ… lol!!!
May his crossing over be peaceful and may his return be swift…
We love you TJ
Blessed Be
PrairieRose
To Kim and the crew,
WE certainly miss him, how much greater must your loss feel!!!
THANK YOU for this wonderful opportunity to get to know this magnificent creature, for your love and dedication, your compassion and your sharing this time with us.
I will be lighting a candle for TJ to ease his transition, and for you to ease the grief of this loss.
Bless you Kim and crew, you are all wonderful People.
Love PrairieRose
Thanks for letting us know Kim.
It’s so sad to hear TJ passed away.
I enjoyed being able to follow hime with and he has kept me awake for many many hours during leopardcam.
“Rest in peace Tjololo, you’ll always be my favorit leopard.”
Gerda
I knew this horrible day would come sooner rather than later. I checked on him the Mala Mala site every so often and knew he was failing. I’m crying so hard right now - I have a copy of a print that Mo Rich did, number 17/50, and I also commissioned her to do an original of him that’s hanging over my bed. I know we’re not supposed to get “attached” to wild animals, but how could we help it. He was such a huge part of our lives for an entire year … He was “ours” and we lived his triumphs and defeats right along with him. My keyboard is soaked with tears, but I’m so glad he didn’t have to suffer anymore than he did. My thoughts are with you Kim …
TJOLOLO - His legend will live on forever … rest in peace, dear TJ.
Kim,
So sorry to hear the sad news. I keep up to date with his life through the Mala Mala ranger diaries and throughly enjoy reading your notes from years past here.
Tjololo is truly a legend. Through your films and beautiful pictures there is a place in history for him and he will be remembered forever.
It’s hard to lose an old friend, especially a friend with whom you shared such a special bond with. I can’t imagine the feeling down deep in your soul when you realized this magnificient animal trusted you and considered you his friend.
Tjololo has crossed the rainbow bridge and is a healthy male again. When your time comes, he will be waiting for you. What a joyous occasion that will be.
Rest in peace my friend TJ.
Page
Kim,
I was stunned when I got the news. TJ gave us many hours of pleasure in the past. I remember watching and being totally in love with him. I’m so glad he was found and everything was done to help him. If he only knew how many held a special place in their heart for him. Thank you for allowing us what time we did have with him. A candle burns in Ohio USA for him. He truly was a Legend.
Kim,
I am so very sorry to hear this sad news.
How thrilling it was to follow your adventures with TJ on Africam.
He became a member of our family. We worried about him, we were so proud of him, and could not wait for each days filming.
I guess he lived a free leopard’s life and it was inevitable that it would one day come to an end. He was a beautiful fellow and I will always remember him.
Thank you so much for sharing your adventure with this magnificent creature with all of us.
Ruth Herrera (aka. ruthdc
Kim
Thank you for sharing the news but more importantly thank you for sharing TJ with us. I don’ think we can ever tell you how much it meant to us to be transported to Africa and into your world, TJ’s world.
Godspeed Tjololo
Thank you a million times Kim
Toni-Ann
aka Pax
aka TAM
Hello Kim,
I was so saddened to hear the news of Tjololo. I loved that leopard. I followed him (along with many online friends) for a year. It was a good year, we learned so much about the life of a wild leopard in S Africa. I spoke of him often to friends who had no computer - they couldn’t understand my attachment to an animal I had never personally seen, but friends on LeopardCam understood. I am sure those LeopardCam friends now understand how hard a blow his loss is. He was so special to all of us.
Thank you for letting us get to know him, he will not be forgotten.
Helen
Well, this is real bad news… But probable the best…
He is old….
Oh Kim I knew this day would come I am so sad for you I know how much you loved and respected the Dude. You brought him into our lives and shared his actions both good and bad with us for over a year. I remember so many stories I would sit with so many others watching you as you tracked TJ and very often holding my breath worrying if TJ would get himself into trouble but he always managed to get out of it. I remember TJ dragging his kill up the tree while fighting off the Hyenas sometime losing but he never gave up just went on and got another. I remember one day you layed on the road to take a picture of him and you were so close and the “Dude” just watched you, what a guy. He will be missed but he is happy now running free and in no pain. TJ thank you for so many wonderful and exciting times, Fly high with the Angels my beauty you will last in our hearts forever. Also I have the picture that Moe did on my wall so I can look at it and remember all the good times. Kim thank you so much for introducing us to TJ you gave us all an opportunity of a lifetime to track TJ with you on Africam. Many many fond memories of those times with you and “The Dude”
So long TJ will meet up with you again someday!
Darn had problem with posting this so if goes down twice so sorry.
I am heartbroken. Even tho I knew this time had to come, it is still very difficult to accept. I am sad that we’ve lost him but grateful the rangers were able to end his suffering humanely. In the end, the humans whom he trusted returned the favor and helped him out of his pain when he could no longer help himself. I will miss hearing about his exploits. I was one of his followers when Kim was making the movie and I”d sit here for hours watching the live broadcast. I really miss that.
Farewell Tjololo, my friend.
Paula
Thank you, Kim, for introducing Tjololo to the world … and allowing us to enter your lives to experience this incredible trust and bond. Not every wild animal is fortunate enough to have humane intervention at death. His suffering was lessened, and for that I am thankful. One can’t help to feel a great loss and sadness, though.
I see many familiar names here, so it is obvious that he had a great fan-base. A lot of loving energy embraces his great spirit…..
Thinking of you…
Trish
Wisconsin, U.S.
Thank you for bringing TJ into our lives and hearts Kim.
He was a hero to many of us.
Sleep well Tjololo xx
Christy
Hi Kim,
I’m absolutely gutted to hear this sad news, as you must be also. “The one who stands alone” was a very special leopard who won the hearts of so many, all those nights throughout the year you and the crew were filming we’d sit with fixed eyes on our monitors to follow TJ’s progress, excitement and thrills we had, heart in mouth moments also, all topped with moments of humour not to mention pure and utter beauty.
Tjololo may have stood alone, but he didn’t die alone, for that I am grateful.
Thank you Kim for bringing to us a very special friend, he will always have a special place in my heart as I’m sure for many others.
Tjololo the Dude, now the Legend will live on forever, thanks to you.
Mo.
Very sad news. Thank you Kim for sharing your work of TJ with us. Those leopard cam memories will last forever.
Lynn
Go well, Tjololo. You were undoubtedly the most closely watched and best loved leopard in the world. Thank you for the fine tribute, Kim. MalaMala also sent a fitting tribute and the story of his demise.
Tjololo was an amazing creature of the wild but accepted Kim as a trusted friend. Take heart, Kim. You gave him worldwide fame.
Across the bridge he will be waiting for you. Such an incredible life. A life well lived, in the wild. Both of you have touched so many of us. Thank you for bringing Tjololo in to out homes and our hearts. The trust forged between the two of you is something all should be so lucky to have in own lives, but so seldum ever find. You were so blessed to have this amazing bond with a this leopard. You did him justice and he you. His spirit will live on.
Tjololo Hambagahle, go well. !! You gave me many hours of wonderful viewing, thank you! I learnt a lot about you, your wisdom, adaptation to oddities in the bush. You were smart and outwitted your enemies and competitors for many years. May you walk the wide open plains and bush country of the hereafter and be Tjololo again! The one who stands alone. Hunt well, spotted legend of Africa.
To Kim. Be not heartsore. He gave you some of the best years of his life and taught you much. Remember him as he was, in a tree, hunting alongside the landy, lying in the grass close to you when you were napping in the vehicle. He trusted you, a gift too precious for words, and he allowed you inside his world so that you might share it with us.
Thank you Tjololo!
I cannot put into words how sadden I was to hear of Tjololo’s passing. He certainly lived a full life and am very thankful to have shared, along with many others, special moments over the Internet during your filming Kim. He certainly was an interesting cat and I am glad that I have copies of all the diaries you posted on-line and can read back and relive those moments.
Rest in Peace “TJ”. You will, for eternity, be that strong, powerful and beautiful leopard we all came to love. You will forever be my most favorite “Dude”.
Wow! I’m blown away at all your wonderful messages about Tjololo. it’s so encouraging to see how many of you have lived his life with him.
Thank you all.
Check out the National Geographic Magazine October 2001 to see “The One Who Stands Alone”.
To see piles of pictures of Tjololo, go to
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wildcast/sets/72157594259364085/
These are not all images of Tjololo but most are.
I too am very saddened about Tjololo’s death. Watching LeopardCam gave me a real love of wildlife and the trials and tribulations these beautiful animals go through. I will always remember Tjololo, and thanks to Kim and his crew for allowing us to get to know the life of a true legend. Rest In Peace Tjololo…you touched the lives of so many…
I have been reading/viewing wildcast for less than a year but reading about him everyday has given me the feeling that I have actually known a leopard. Thank you, Kim, for bringing him to so many people.
Many many thanks again Kim for letting us into TJ’s world. I was so saddened by the news but grateful he left us humanely. So many memories, so many nights following your travels with him in the bush. Checking at all hours when he was injured and other dramatic events occured. He will always be remembered because he was loved so well. Farewell TJ.
Roberta in Australia
Well, I guess one could say I am not the sharpest tack in the box. Because. Was SO excited to discover your Wildcast site (the best thing YouTube ever has done for me,thus far) and never, not once noticed Tjololo’s Diary had that 2000 date, was just overjoyed to see him after such a long while after AfriCam. So. Explains why his death was a complete, absolute broadside hit…self sez to self “but he was just pitching woo a few days ago!”
My copy of the October, 2001, National Geographic is safely locked away in a fireproof box…danced a jig when I saw him there on the cover.
His death is tears, tears too hard, but. His life is such a scintillation, so again - and many more times- thank you for showing and sharing Tjololo with us.
I was very sad to hear of Tjololo’s passing & he will be remembered because of Kim’s extraordinary work for many many years to come.
Thank you Kim, for sharing the life of this beautiful creature.
Rest in peace TJ.
It was well done by both Tijolo and yourself.
A good lfe with a good friend who eased him over the bridge.
He is in paradise now…..young and full of himself once again…for eternity.
So very, very sorry and saddened about Tjololo. He lived the life he was meant to live and both of you were blessed by the unspoken bond you two had with each other. I can’t add much as the other commentators have voiced my feelings exceedingly well. Just know that you have many friends that share your loss.
Hi Kim,
I am away and just found out about your ‘dude’ Tjololo. He was one beautiful animal. I think he lived a wonderful life and I thank you for introducing him to us.
Very sorry Kim to hear about Tjololo. Thanks to you for bringing him into our lives.
Renu
Kim,
I am so sorry for the loss of Tjololo. I know he became a trusted friend to you through the years.
TJ and you opened my heart to Africa and I will be forever grateful. I will miss his beauty
and silence as I watched him meet the night with keen anticipation for the hunt, and accept the mornings as the sun would glance off his beautiful coat.
There will be no other to take his place, he truly is the “one who stands alone” in my heart” Enjoy your peace old friend.
Kim,
Wow, To Everything it’s Season -Sorry to hear about the sad news
He was a Numzan
Cheers
Rob
Kim, I am so sad… What a JOY to know a leopard - of course, thru you. I’m so grateful that he went humanly (?) I will remember all the shows - I want to say that I ‘think’ I saw a show with you & one of your little girls going out for the first night to see Tojolo & one of the first nights she had a kill - am I right
It was good that they called you, but too bad that you never got to say “goodbye”. That picture of him posing for you with his kill just blew me away.
You will have to take an antidote from his passing by enjoying the animal friends you have made at Malilangwe. My message is “Keep off the roads and in the wilds, it’s safer and more cathartic.”
moira
Farewell Dear Tjololo….
Someone already mentioned here how others couldn’t understand our devotion to a Leopard way off in Africa, one we followed on Kim’s nightly Leopard Cam on Africam.com. All of us Africamers were amused, frightened, and thrilled by his antics.
I actually met TJ, also known as the Rock Drift Male at MalaMala, while visiting there the end of August 2000. We came upon him in our Land Rover. He had just eaten and was lying beside the road looking like a dead leopard. We were hoping that he would get up and pose for us, especially with more Rovers joining us. Nope! He was so accustomed to the attention that he just lay there, belly up, paws relaxed. I took a few pictures of him lying there, and framed one to put in my “Africa Room”. Visitors to my home wondered why I shot a leopard and framed its picture. Oh well.
So it’s with heavy heart that I say goodby, Tjololo. You were and are my hero.
Carolyn (NY)
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awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww rip tj beautiful animal 2 me!!!
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