There is something uniquely captivating about witnessing the immediate response of our trackers when they detect a drag mark across the road. For those unfamiliar with the term, a drag mark here typically signifies the carcass of a herbivore being dragged across the road by one of the predators we actively seek during our game drives. This moment encapsulates the raw and dynamic nature of the wildlife here at Londolozi and was the beginning of a special sighting we shared with our guests.
A female leopard dragging her kill to a safer destination. Leopards often drag their prey into areas where they either have an escape route or somewhere where they believe their prey won’t be found by scavengers.
Quickly and excitedly, Tracker Freddy and I swiftly exited the Land Rover to assess what unfortunate animal had been dragged across the road and by what in front of our vehicle. “A female leopard,” Freddy muffled, “it’s heading this way.” Due to the freshness of the drag mark, we decided to jump back into the vehicle and track by car, ensuring that the leopard wouldn’t be startled by our approach on foot. Freddy, still positioned on the front tracker seat, guided us with hand signals towards where the animal had been dragged. Signs such as folded-over grass, occasional scuff marks from the leopard, and even tiny bits of fur and blood left behind by the carcass led us, approximately 100 meters away, to the Plaque Rock Female. There, we discovered a young Kudu calf stashed under a fallen tree.
A photo of her taking a break below the Marula tree she had selected to hoist her kill into. Leopards will always look before going up, which provides an amazing photographic opportunity.
A pretty young playful female found along the river to the east of camp
After spending approximately 10 minutes observing her, the leopard decided it was time to secure her well-deserved meal. Just 20 meters away stood a towering marula tree, where we anticipated she would choose to hide her food. Before her moving, we strategically positioned ourselves to witness her graceful ascent of the marula tree. There’s something truly extraordinary about observing a leopard ascend a tree, especially when carrying their prey in their jaws. With remarkable ease, she lifted the young kudu into the tree, expertly concealing it within the dense foliage of the upper branches.
Having already fed on the kill before we discovered her, the Plaque Rock Female had now securely stashed the prey within the safety of the tree. Descending from the tree, we could see she was in search of a water source. We followed her through dense vegetation, along the way, she took a 30-minute rest atop a termite mound. We positioned ourselves to enjoy a beautiful view of the leopardess on a large and relatively bare mound as the afternoon’s light began to fade.
The mound she decided to rest on before taking a drink. On top of this mound, she has the vantage point to see any approaching danger. She lay atop here grooming and scouting her surroundings.
Just before it had got dark, almost our time to head back to camp, she decided to quench her thirst. The sound of her lapping up the puddle of water beside our vehicle enveloped us in a moment of peace and serenity. We spent a good two hours with the Plaque Rock Female that afternoon. In every moment something unique occurred, and with just a little patience we managed to have a sighting of a lifetime.
This was our final moment with the Plaque Rock Female that afternoon. With the beautiful colours of the already set sun in the background we managed to get one or two silhouette photos. What a way to finish the day!
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what fantastic shots of this beauty!!
Hi Dan, seeing a leopard is a miracle, seeing such a beautiful female and spending two hours with her is heavenly I’m sure! Any news of her cubs?
Dan, thank you for a day with the Plaque Rock female.
Just the kind of afternoon on safari that I look forward to! Seeing a leopard hoist a carcass into a tree is an amazing sight – which I experienced during my last visit! But no mention of suckle marks or a milk pouch; her cubs still with us?
amazing! wonder what she thinks of you all staring at her for 2 hours?! 😉
One of the very best ways to spend two hours (or more)! What a wonderful experience for your guests.
Man, what a couple of hours Dan! Love the photos, especially the late day silhouette image!!
Hi Dan, two hours well spent with the Plague rock female. She is such a beautiful leopardess and I love all her fotos. She caught a good meal, and the image on the mound and the one after sunset is astounding.
Any time spent with a leopard is such a gift, and to see one with a kill that ultimately hoists it up a tree is a real blessing. Thank you for sharing your experience and photos with us Dan.
What an amazing sighting you had with the Plaque Rock Female Dan! Does she still have her cubs or has she lost this latest litter?
She really is amazing, and so athletic. Still waiting to hear about her cubs?