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Ben Forbes: Notes from the Field
please contact Ben at Northern Exposure

Death of a Legend
2nd February 2006
Newsletter 2

A famous face, an impressive physique and an unforgettable experience. Tyson spent almost three-quarters of his life here on Okonjima. Arriving at AfriCat in 1991, he was placed in a holding camp, from which he escaped. He wasn’t seen again for the next two years when all of a sudden he came out of hiding, whether he had remained on Okonjima during this time or returned from elsewhere is unknown.

In January 2001 he was radio-collared and released into the ten-thousand-acre game area. Although frequently monitored, he chose to stay out of the limelight and only showed himself on a few occasions. In September, a mortality signal from his collar led us to him for the very last time. At twenty years of age the life of a legend had come to an end but the fond memories of Tyson will remain and, for us, the legend will live forever.
Carla Conradie - AfriCat Foundation

 


Tyson in his prime
THE NEXT GENERATION
The same month that saw a familiar character leave the reserve also saw the arrival of two leopard cubs born at Okonjima. At this stage, the young princes of stealth are honing their stalking skills on the local butterfly population...

One of the cubs