Linking the pieces of a puzzle together successfully in a track-and-find effort is rewarding, and enormous fun into the bargain. It’s not uncommon though to have that satisfaction of finding an animal completely eclipsed by the wild excitement of the sighting it provides.
Ranger Sean Zeederberg and tracker Joy Mathebula had just such an afternoon recently. Sean takes us through what happened:
“We had been tracking the Ximungwe female leopard through thick bush for most of the afternoon, when towards sunset ranger Alfie Mathebula radioed in that he could hear monkeys alarming along the Maxabene Riverbed just ahead of where we were tracking. We knew it must be her.
As we quickly moved back to our vehicle to head towards where the monkeys were kicking up a fuss, Alfie moved ahead of us and reported that he had found the leopard drinking at a waterhole. Thrilled to be able to show her to our guests, we sped there and had a great view of her in the open.
The Ximungwe female slinks through the evening light.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
She moved into a thick Tamboti grove, and we were just preparing to leave her be when she suddenly perked up her ears in instant alertness, and then took off like a rocket. Swinging our heads around we saw a female impala racing straight in our direction, and the outcome was inevitable from there. The leopard hit the impala so hard that she broke its neck with the impact, but even as she began dragging the carcass towards a tree to hoist it into, a lone wild dog came running out of the bushes from the same direction the impala had appeared from.
This lone female wild dog has been popping up all over the reserve.
Both cat and dog got a fright; the Ximungwe female recognised the danger the wild dog posed, and immediately dropped the carcass and fled. The wild dog meanwhile didn’t quite know what was happening, and just saw an indistinct spotted from in the bushes with the impala carcass, so also turned and ran.
All was silent as both predators had run off.
When evening falls, leopards at Londolozi know they need to hoist their kills or they will probably lose them.
Eventually the wild dog, being the original pursuer, came carefully in to investigate. Not finding a rival predator, it dragged the impala carcass off a little way and began feeding. After some minutes the Ximungwe female also came slinking back, and watched the wild dog feeding for awhile. One could see that the wild dog was nervous, as she kept darting away and then hesitantly returning to the kill, and it was during just such a break from feeding that the Ximungwe female seized her opportunity, rushing in, grabbing what was left of the carcass and immediately hoisting it into a tree nearby.
The next morning the carcass was gone, most likely dropped by the leopard and stolen by hyenas. At least she’d been able to capitalise on the opportunity granted her.
Sean, wonderful blog – stealing the carcass and stealing it back!
Amazing interaction between the predators. Fantastic experience.
Wow, what a sighting! That leopard is powerful!!! Terrific story! Thanks for sharing, Sean!
Never a dull moment in the bush. Good for the leopard! Victoria
Wow! It makes me wonder how many similar inter-species interactions occur every day, that we never know about. Fascinating!
Fabulous blog today with the wild dog/leopard back-and-forth. How fortunate to be present when this happened, and even more so to get it on film. Thank you.
What a great sighting! I found myself laughing that the leopard and wild dog were both doing a dance around each other so to speak. Since they both ultimately participated in the hunt, I’m glad they both got to enjoy some of the bounty.
Wow! What an exciting afternoon you had. Good to know they each had a meal from this opportune kill, or I suppose accidental kill.
We sure hope Wild Dogs will stick around for a while!!!
Do we know if the wild dog has a pack? I’ve recently heard the story about Solo, the wild dog that has been leaving by herself, having hyenas and coyotes as allies. She actually helped coyotes raise their pups. She hasn’t been seen since 2014… I was so deeply touched by her story. Consequently, I was wondering if that dog is her. BTW, great footage!!! thank you for sharing!!
Sean, Great story! Amazing how fast the leopaord was moving. I’m sure the impala had no chance!
What a great opportunity….seeing the interplay between these two predators for the kill. In the end they both enjoyed a bit of a good meal, although I’m sure that usually isn’t the case. What a great video!