In a recent sighting ranger Jess Shillaw happened to get her guests into the right place at the right time to witness the Senegal Bush Male hunting a warthog. After eventually bringing it down, the distress calls from the warthog drew in the Ntomi Male along with a lucky opportunistic hyena. Believe it or not, the Senegal Bush Male has been hunting warthogs again. On one particular morning not so long ago, after a cold front moved through this part of the country, the morning began as a fresh, misty and cloudy start.
The morning mist over the Sand River
Lucky enough for us, it wasn’t long into the game drive when we stumbled across the Senegal Bush Male lying on top of a termite mound. Our initial thought was that he was resting after presumably a long night of patrolling his territory as he was a fair distance from where he had been seen the evening prior. When we then looped around the termite mound to get a different view of him we noticed a fresh warthog burrow into the side of the mound. There was some loose freshly churned-up soil at the entrance making us believe that there was something inside.
The Senegal Bush Male on top of the termite mound waiting patiently for the warthogs to emerge.
We decided to take the chance and wait to see what transpired. He would either lose interest here and move off the mound continuing his patrol on the cool morning or if there was something inside the sound, such as a warthog, they would likely try to leave the mound to forage for food once it had warmed up a bit. Giving the Senegal Bush Male the perfect opportunity to ambush them. After an hour and 20 minutes of watching the leopard resting, we eventually heard a little grunt and rustle come from within the mound. The Senegal Bush Male’s ear pricked up immediately, fixated on the burrow, he readied himself.
Unaware of the danger lurking just out of sight, this warthog peeks its head out of the burrow.
Already within striking distance, the Senegal Bush Male needed to pick the right time to launch his attack. The warthog carefully scanned its surroundings before exiting the burrow. Within seconds everything erupted in front of our eyes and here is what transpired…
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It was amazing to see how this mother warthog came back to try and save her offspring. Charging in at the leopard, if her tusks had caught the leopard it could have done some serious damage. But the leopards’ reactions were lightning quick and managed to avoid any injury. After he had killed the warthog, he dragged it to a nearby tree hoisted it and finished it after two days.
After feeding for some time, the Senegal Bush Male rested as he watched a hyena approach the tree from the distance.
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I loved your post Kirst – Senegal Bush male’s patience at the warthog burrow finally yields success! Your video definitely demonstrates the strength and agility of this well-known leopard, but it’s your final image that seems to illustrate complete ownership of this warthog by Senegal Bush leopard. What an amazing sighting!
Absolutely sensational image and great write up
How exciting, Kirst! Love that last picture – there was no way after last time he was going to lose this one!
First, great video capturing the leopard and the warthog. Thank you for sharing the video.
Great video, Kirst! He really has taste for warthog as we saw him do the same thing in July! That time, as the light was almost gone, he had walked partway around the base of the termite mound when he leaped into the air to grab a huge warthog as 3 popped out almost simultaneously! He’s smarter now, though-he lost it to a hyena in the morning as he didn’t hoist it.
Undoubtedly he’s the ultimate hunter. Such a perfect timing and precision in moving. I’m so sorry for the warthog and the mum, they are great fighter and unique animals, but the Senegal Bush male is impossible to beat. His victime is killed so quickly, I wish all predators were like leopards, especially like him..he has such a unique expression… the ultimate great king. And many compliments to the author of the video for being so timely and catching the desperation of a mother and the determination of a supreme hunter
What an exciting morning, Kirst. Your patience and the Senegal Bushmale’s indeed paid off and you got that amazing sighting.
These warthogs are really brave, defending their family members.
Brilliant sighting Kirst! The Senegal Bush male is an incredible leopard, and it was amazing to see how he dodged the mother warthog, who was extremely brave for her own part!
Great post Kirst! The Senegal Bush male is by far my favorite, we were fortunate enough to see him a couple times when we were at Londolozi a few weeks ago. Such a beautiful and menacing looking leopard!
In a lightening flash the Senegal bush male caught that warthog. His patience was rewarded with his kill. It was amazing to see Kirst, to see how fast it was and shame I felt sorry for the mother warthog who even tried to fight the leopard off. The foto of him leaning on the warthog in the tree is such a stunning foto.
Thank you for the wonderful blog on the Senegal Bush male. It is always a pleasure to know he is still doing well.
I’m so impressed not only at his patience, but that he was able to continue to keep hold of his target while also managing the counterattack from the other warthog.