The Nkoveni young female had hoisted an impala ewe into a Marula and had been feeding on it for two days. She was very well-fed as a result, so when Ranger Mrisho Lugenge radioed in that she was now stalking an impala, we didn’t get overly excited, as a leopard’s hunting effort tends to be directly correlated with its hunger.
When Mrisho then said it was an impala lamb the leopard was after, we moved in a bit faster, realising something might actually come of this…
There is no mistaking the intent of a stalking leopard.
The scene unfolded on an open crest. Although the grass has sprung up all over the reserve and the green carpet is everywhere, this particular area was still only exhibiting a short growth, and the whole stalk by the leopard had to take place with practically no cover. The extra difficulty for the leopard nevertheless afforded us the unique opportunity of watching a leopard stalk from start to finish, with constant view of both prey and predator.
The leopard can be seen lying flat to the left of the picture. The lamb moved even closer than this…
The Nkoveni young female made herself as flat as possible, dropping her white tail tip as she moved ever closer to the impala lamb. Unusually, the lamb was on its own, which made us strongly suspect that it was its mother that the leopard had killed two days prior.
A squirrel suddenly emerged from its hole and upon seeing the leopard, immediately set up an incessant chattering. This may well have unnerved the Nkoveni young female and put the impala lamb on the alert somewhat.
A stalking leopard is the epitome of patience and poise. For minutes at a time, the leopard would remain absolutely motionless, flattened to the ground. After a while, the impala lamb’s suspicions would lower and it even started approaching the leopard. It thought it had seen something, but couldn’t be sure.
Our vehicle – consisting mainly of staff – sat transfixed, cameras up, ready for what we assumed was the inevitable takedown.
When suddenly, the impala lamb trotted by within a few feet of the Nkoveni young female, and the leopard did… nothing…
The lamb bounds away, still apparently unaware that the leopard was even there, and the leopard just watches it go…
With no chance of catching the lamb now, the leopard raised her head, allowing the lamb to properly catch sight of her.
She simply watched as the lamb moved off to beyond the pounce/chase range, and the hunt was over.
After the failed attempt, the Nkoveni young female moved off towards a distant impala herd in the hope of an opportunity there.
The leopard moved around the crest for a bit, approaching one or two other impala herds, but nothing came of it, and we left her in the failing light. What happened to the impala lamb after this we don’t actually know. As mentioned earlier, we presume it was on its own because the leopard had most likely killed its mother, but we can’t say for sure.
The bush is an unforgiving place, and the chances of a few-days old impala surviving without its mother are, well… slim to none. Depends how badly you want to believe in happy endings…
Wow!! That is one lucky impala fawn. Hope it learns to look more carefully. Glad he escaped! Victoria
Good day James,
As always good photos and a compelling narrative. I read the unfolding story with anticipation and sat up astonished at the outcome. I share many of these unusual dynamics with my USA friends and clients – and while most of them are not in the niche for a visit to Londolozi they surely have come to understand the dynamics of what happens around Timbavati, Londolozi and Sabi Sand.
Dries Marais
http://www.bullet-behavior.com
Thanks Dries!
James..good stuff as usual
Thanks Jim!
James, I have never seen leopard take off after Impala Lamb, so sorry he did not get it – it got away!
OOOHHHWW! That is just the most precious story! The picture of the Leopard laying down in the grass watching the innocent lamb, is something to behold. The thought that comes to mind within the story, is that the Leopard might have actually felt some kind of “Knowing” within her about the lone tot, thus compassion, (and even maybe seeing it’s cuteness) and couldn’t see it with herself to kill the lamb.
Yes, there are those unique instances where the unimaginable kindred spirits come to be in friendship, or at minimum, to just let there be respect for each others presence and existence. Okay, so that might sound unrealistic from the standpoint of life in the Bush, but, .. this was definitely a day in the life of “Just for today, I don’t want to be, or look like a bad kitty. I think I’ll just be content, and let there to be a day of happily ever after.”
Well, live and learn… if in fact the Nkoveni female was still hungry, I would think considering all things, she’d go for the meal. Seeing impala lambs with their mothers today here in Chobe, it seems they don’t share….. such is nature.
Thank you for the great updates!!
Oh what a sad little story
Full belly complacency. Impala on borrowed time
Thats life… Hunt, Survive