“The first leopard that one meets… in its wild state and up-close, is a wildlife experience that transcends all others. As it pads away you are left feeling that you have seen something special, that you are as close to the wild world as it is possible to get while still in the vehicle.” Mitch Reardon in Shaping Kruger.
The Hosanna male leopard, a strong contender for the contentious territories of northern Londolozi, was in hot pursuit of the ageing Anderson male.
It is true that when one sees a leopard in the wild, it is a fleeting moment of transcendence that grips us. Whether its the first or the fiftieth time, the heart quickens, palms sweat and the adrenaline pumps as our hands grip a little tighter on the Land Rover bars. It’s almost as if something inside flutters… and then disappears. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, leopards in particular leave an indelible impression on those of us lucky enough to see them in their natural habitat.
The Nkoveni female leopard and her cub sit atop a large termite mound and survey their surroundings. The more independent and capable the cub becomes the more their mother-daughter relationship will sour.
Leopards are often portrayed as silent, solitary and secretive nocturnal killers that exhibit a hallucinogenic quality that allows them to disappear at will. They basically invented patience and – courtesy of a cryptic pelt – can blend into any piece of substrate under any light conditions. But here in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin they have a habit of moving around in broad daylight. Last week we watched one of Londolozi’s favourite females execute a quintessential ambush. Sadly, I didn’t have my camera with me so I’ll have to paint the reader a verbal picture.
The Nkoveni female’s daughter awkwardly descends a large Jackalberry tree after an unsuccessful attempt on a troop of Vervet Monkeys.
Late one morning we found the Nkoveni female in the Sand River’s thick vegetation. She was hungry.
The epitome of stealth, she moved like a shadow, threading her way between the wild date palms in search of a meal. It wasn’t long before she spotted movement twenty meters in front of her. An impala!
On padded feet the “consummate master of concealment” held her body flat against the ground, folded her ears back and inched closer. In full view, we watched this perfectly evolved beast of prey as she crept towards her quarry. Every time the impala ewe dropped its head to browse, she would edge forward always sticking behind cover. Before long she was no more than five meters from her target. Through the binoculars we could see her body tense up as taut as a bow spring. Before the impala ewe could pluck another leaf, the Nkoveni female was onto her. Two short bounds was all it required. In less than four minutes she’d secured her kill and dragged it further into cover. It was a moment in the life of a leopard that we rarely get to see.
One of the Nhlanguleni female’s cubs soaks up the warm winter morning sun while waiting for her mother to return from the hunt.
We often have to remind ourselves that leopards really are the embodiment of secrecy and the definition of elusive. I’ve been in more Game Reserves than I care to remember where the only sign of their passing is a faint footprint.
But even at Londolozi, when the sign is clear and when the scent is so fresh that its still steaming off the grass on a cold winters morning, they can still prove hard to find. The Anderson male and the Iyathini male leopards often make a point of eluding rangers and trackers.
But that is a story for another time…
It is true Paul. No matter how many times you see a leopard it is always exciting. If it is a fleeting glimpse or sspending an hour with the animal it is so special. Leopards are probably the most beautiful of the predators and almost mythical.
Leopards are my favorite! Beautiful, strong, and smart! Loved the photos, Paul!
Paul always like to hear about the stealth of these great predators. Would really enjoy pictures of the kill when you can take them. Perhaps even footage of the their feasting on the prey. Great work!
Thank you Andrew and Daniel. As and when it happens again I will have my camera ready so watch this space 😉
Wow, you a quite a photographer. Thanks for sharing these amazing images.
Thank you for the complement Betty-Lou
Paul, wonderful blog. I have never seen a leopard make a kill, have seen them in trees with a kill. Maybe next time we are there!
Paul, isn’t their something about leopards when they are stalking prey, that they place their rear paws on top of where their fore paws touched the ground to minimize the sounds of leaves and twigs rustling on the ground?
Hi Bob and lucie. Yes they can do that if the situation calls for it. I have also witnessed them using thunder to muffle their approach!
Simply Beautiful!
I love your blog Paul. It takes me back to my first real encounter with a leopard, heart pumping, excitement building, shaky finger on my shutter and it was all glorious. At the end of the day, no matter how many blurred shots, I watched this young male
and his image was imprinted quite clearly forever. Some beautiful photos here!!
if we compare our first safari’s in the 1980 -ies , you were the luckiest people to see a leopard in day-time !
Now there is no safari without leopard sightings , from mating till cubs … I still need to see an aardvark……
That makes two of us Dina. Thank you for commenting!
speaking of an aardvark : we have now one in the garden , I sent the picture to James Souchon !!!
We came to Londolozi in the hope of seeing a leopard in the wild. We weren’t sure if it would happen, but on our 1st game drive we saw Vomba – as you say, Paul, it’s such a special experience and never forgotten. But as far as their elusiveness, I particularly remember on our next trip we were trying to find the Makhotini male. Byron and Judas tracked him to a dense thicket where he snarled at them. Byron said “he doesn’t want to be found today” so we left him in peace. The next day, he was lying on a rock in the open, and I’d swear he was posing!
Thank you for sharing Suzanne. They definitely have a grumpy side too!
Paul, You told the story beautifully without the need for a camera! They are such beautiful creatures and the rare glance with them eye-to-eye is ethereal.
Dear Paul. Yes, I have exactly the same feeling you are describing in such a wonderful way that leopards “leave an indelible impression on those of us lucky enough to see them in their natural habitat.” Seeing a leopard is just so wonderful. And I have really already seen so many at Londolozi and am very grateful for it.
Thank you for Commenting Christa! Long live the leopard!