Some mornings unfold slowly, beautifully, and this one was just that.
Shortly after leaving camp, we were treated to an unforgettable scene of a small herd of elephants, bathed in golden light, feeding gracefully beneath a rising sun. There are few better ways to begin a morning and even fewer that ease you into the rhythm of this virtual safari.
From there, we followed the Nkoveni Female Leopard, looking rather hungry in the crisp morning air. She moved with intent, scanning, listening, stalking. Though she didn’t succeed in the moment, by that afternoon, she’d managed to bring down an impala ram near Shingi Dam. We returned to find her feeding and hoped we might witness a classic leopard hoist.
Next, we enjoy a tense, acrobatic moment from a different part of the reserve.
The Three Rivers Female, the Three Rivers Young Female, and her father the Maxim’s Male, were found with a hoisted carcass. Hunger and hierarchy clashed as the young female tried to claim a bite. But the male wasn’t ready to share. What followed was a brilliant display of arboreal agility, as she scrambled over branches. Intimidated by the male, she loses her footing and is forced to test out the full repertoire of a leopard’s climbing skills.
Eventually, patience paid off, and the male moved off, and she got her chance at the carcass.
This week’s Virtual Safari is a visual feast, from sun-drenched serenity to raw leopard agility.
Enjoy this Virtual Safari…
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Thanks for this week’s video. As really enjoyable as always. The Three River’s young female seems to be quite a brave and adventurous little leopard. Such a joy to watch her.
Thanks for watching. The Three Rivers Young Female is a brave leopard and she is so entertaining to watch.
Fabulous safari! Love the elephants in the golden light. The Nkoveni female is a favorite. Thank you, Sean!❤️
The elephants in that light were spectacular. Glad you enjoyed.
Hi Sean, beautiful Baby elephant calf in the beginning of the video with it’s mother at sunrise. I wonder where Nkoveni’s young male cub was, but I am thrilled that she caught a impala ram and ate her fill. My heart nearly missed a beat seeing the Three Rivers’ female cub trying to get a bite to eat, but huge dad the Maxim’s male would not allow her to get a piece of meat. Just goes to show the agility of a leopard and how she managed to get herself up again and waited till her dad had his fill. Sean can you tell me what happens to the skin’s of the prey once all the meat has been eaten. I’m sure the leopards and lions don’t eat the skin of prey they catch. Do the hyenas maybe eat that then.
The agility of a leopard is astounding. I was amazed to see how she managed to pull herself back up into the tree.
So in short, when lions feed, they eat everything. There is no time to be fussy and worry about the skin. Leopards have the luxury of time when feeding and so they pluck out most of the fur (which they cannot digest) and then eat the furless skin after that. But if there is anything left the hyenas, vultures and birds of prey will finish it off.
The elephant and her calf quietly grazing as the morning sun rises behind them was the perfect way to begin this Sunday’s virtual safari. Watching a tiny elephant try to control its trunk lends a degree of new beginnings and innocence. Moving along to Nkoveni as she roamed her territory in search of her next meal also provided a level of calmness, as she carefully navigated her way through the grasses and brush, a leopardess exuding strength and confidence. Part three of the video makes me curious about the relationship of the three leopards featured as it’s not the first time they’ve been captured by still images or video together. True Maxim snarled as he had no intention of sharing the carcass with his daughter but there was no overt aggression towards her. I was concerned she’d fall out of the tree but then she’s been in the predicament prior to this sighting. As she reaches independence, it will be interesting to see/learn if he will continue to tolerate her near him when food is at risk. Thanks for another peaceful yet fascinating “safari”.
Watching elephants always entertains me, especially young ones trying to figure out the use of their trunks. Nkoveni was great to spend some time with as she went about her business.
I was amazed to see how the Three Rivers Young Female clung on like that and pulled herself back into the tree.
Hi Sean, I finally managed to watch the whole video, yes, elephants calm is something peculiar, majestic, being such large and imposing creatures, moving without haste as they just have to eat, drink, take care of themselves…. the Nkoveni Female is , I think, so astonishing beautiful and at the same time she is a symbol of pure force that is always ready to act… the “happy family “, not so much for the young female, that has to get into tribulations to get some meal, giving that her father is not so well disposed this time… a video that’s full of life and you can feel the change in the air…
I am glad you managed to watch the whole video and that you enjoyed it.