Involved Leopards

Mashaba 3:3 Female

Mashaba 3:3 Female

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About the Author

Dean de la Rey

Alumni Ranger

Dean was a guide at Londolozi from 2018 to 2022. He grew up in Johannesburg and it was from his very first trip to the bush at the age of two that he was captivated by this environment (he claims he can remember ...

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18 Comments

on When Opportunity Becomes Desperation

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Marinda Drake
Master Tracker

Wow! Great video. An amazing experience.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you Marinda.

Darlene Knott
Master Tracker

What an interesting story to tell! I enjoyed your photos and video too. The leopard does not have an easy life, especially the mamas! I am so glad she finally got to eat! Thanks so much for sharing, Dean!

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you for the amazing comment Darlene.

Ian Hall
Master Tracker

What a wonderful account and good to have patient guests

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

It more than often pays off. I was very luckily

Lachlan Fetterplace
Senior Digital Ranger

This is a great write up! Really interesting and really captured the sense of desperation setting in.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you so much Lachlan, so glad you enjoyed.

Linda Rawles
Digital Tracker

I know some animals must eat meat, but here’s to a quick death for the duiker.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Yes always pay respect to both parties.

Denise Vouri
Guest contributor

Fantastic Dean! Relieved to know the Mashaba female finally caught and kept a meal. The lives of predators are difficult enough, and when there are other mouths depending on them, every opportunity has to be followed.

At least in the animal world, the majority of kills are for food – not for malice. There are exceptions, I know…… another topic.

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thanks for the great comment Denise. That is an interesting topic, maybe some ideas for a next blog topic

Joanne Wadsworth Kelley
Master Tracker

Mashaba is so beloved that it gave me an uncomfortable pause reading about her desparation. Not only for her, but for her cubs. Relieved!

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Luckily it had a happy ending.

Wendy Macnicol
Digital Tracker

Patience DOES pay. Also DETERMINATION born of desperation. Lessons we can all benefit from. What a wonderful mother she is. The cubs of course don’t realize this. All they want is their milk bar. Lovely photos Dean and a very good story. Wendy M

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Very true words Wendy, thanks so much for the comment.

Henk Slettenhaar
Senior Digital Ranger

What a great story. Finally she had something to eat,

Dean De La Rey
Alumni Ranger

Thank you Henk.

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