We set out to look for the Tortoise pan male and – after a great suggestion on a hot day by tracker Ray Mabilane to drive past a few waterholes that fall within the leopard’s territory – it wasn’t long till we found him lying under a shady Guarrie bush right next to Tortoise Pan itself.
Looking at a nearby herd of impala as he begins feeding on his kill.
All around him was a beautiful herd of elephants. Knowing the leopard was resting and not going anywhere soon we decided to go and watch the elephants graze and browse as they departed from the pan. We sat with one particular young male trying to dig up the roots of a tree for about 30 minutes, eventually leaving him as he left, picking up the speed to catch up to the rest of the herd.
After the entertainment of the elephants, my guests and I had almost forgotten we had seen a leopard about 200m away!
We headed back to the pan only to find the male flat out and fast asleep.
I suggested we loop around to see if we could maybe get a better view of his face. Upon doing this, another large herd of elephants approached the pan; they provided us with the special moments of a herd drinking and playing in the water. After quite some time they too decided to move on, passing the vehicle and reminding us how lucky we are that such a large animal can allow us to be so close and give us the feeling of presence.
After feeling rather moved by the experiences the herds had provided, we once again had to remind ourselves how we got here in the first place. The leopard.
So I continued with the plan of looping around the pan and it wasn’t long before I got gripped on the shoulder by tracker Ray, as if to say stop right now and I heard the guest say “He is up!”. I switched the ignition off immediately after shortly spotting the grey duiker approaching the pan.
Within a matter of seconds, the Tortoise pan male went from completely head down to up, stalking and gave chase. The duiker was about 10 meters away from him and not even 10 meters away from us. Ray confidently turned around and said, “We are going to see a kill…” and before the words could even come out his mouth the leopard had hurtled down upon the unsuspecting duiker, gripping it by the throat. There was little to no sound as it happened so quickly. When I say no sound, I think my guests got more of a fright from my excitement.
Eyes intensely staring ahead as he dragged the kill towards a big tree.
He dragged the duiker into the nearby thicket and headed towards the nearby Maxabene river bed. Unable to get through the line of Tamboti trees, we had to loop around, which gave us all a moment to take in what had happened and the vehicle exploded into large celebrations and many fist pumps in the air.
Catches his breathe after recently having hoisted the duiker up the Jackalberry tree.
We managed to find him again as he was pausing for a moment, dropping the kill, scanning the trees around for a good place to hoist. It had to be the large Jackalberry not far from where he was. With just enough time to get up the banks we watched him hoist the kill into the tree and place it on a thick stable branch.
Hungry after recently having had a kill stolen by another male, he wasted no time in plucking the fur out and feeding on the rump. We sat there for most of the evening watching, observing and appreciating. We were all in awe; actually I am still in awe!
Watching a hunt – a successful hunt – is not common. Seeing it in plain sight is even more rare. Its moments like these that ignite passions for this place, and longing to see it again keeps you wanting more. From the presence of the elephants to the extreme excitement of the kill, I can’t remember a more extreme drive in recent months!
Wow Dean! An amazing experience. You never know what you will encounter out in the bush. The best sightings are usually the ones that are unexpected.
Couldn’t agree more.
Dean, what an amazing experience! Elephants and a leopard kill! You never know what you will see in the bush – what a great experience – wish I was there, but you told it wonderfully.
Thank you so much Joan.
There is nothing quite like the adrenaline rush that comes with seeing a hunt and kill! Great story, Dean!
So true Mary Beth.
I can still recall a 45 minute stalking/kill by a cheetah during my first visit to Londolozi. I’m glad I put down my camera to watch the whole thing develop.
Nothing like it. Thank you Mary Beth
Tortoise Pan male- my favorite after viewing him for quite some time next to a mud hole inhabited by a hippo. It’s good to know he’s thriving and has a territory to call his own. Your experience is enviable, one that is seldom witnessed and in reading your words, I feel the excitement. Wow!!👏📷
Glad you felt it. Thanks Denise
Astonishing sighting, Dean. I have mixed views about seeing a kill, as the only one I’ve seen was pretty brutal – 2 young lions had just brought down a solo buffalo cow, and she was still alive when the female started to tuck into the rump. In this case though the duiker didn’t know what had hit it, very quick and clean, so I could handle that! What I am really jealous of was you seeing him hoist the kill, that’s top of my bucket list.
It is always tough to see. The whole experience is an emotional Rollercoaster but that’s what keeps you drawn.
The first close contact with a large elephant changed me from seeing it as a lumbering hulk to appreciating its graceful manner. I was also surprised by how quiet the movement was,
They define presence.
A story teller and photographer as well! Well done , Dean. I’ll never forget that experience. Miss you guys!
Thank you so much Anne. So glad I could share the experience with you guys. Missing you all.
I’m happy to say I was in Dean’s Jeep while this was happening. It was SO exciting…One of the best parts was seeing how excited Dean was..
As gruesome as it was it also was so fascinating to see the entire process.
Timing was everything!
Give Ray a big hug from us..
The excitement still lives. Thanks for the comment Robin. Hope everyone is well and look forward to seeing you guys again. Will pass on the message for Ray.