A most memorable encounter with Leopards

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The 2nd of January 2020, almost at the end of our Satara Summer, delivered one of the most memorable sightings of the month we spent in the Kruger National Park. About half-way between Satara and Olifants we came across this pair of Leopards, and did they put on a show to remember! Trust us; seeing Leopards like THIS happens only very rarely…

Early morning catches a languid leopardess straddling a branch
She changes her position slightly to have a better view of a herd of passing elephants
An elephants passes almost right below the young female leopard
Leopardess in a tree
Her interest peaked by a growl from the male, the leopardess moves to a lower branch
Now out of the tree, the leopardess walks towards the male…
… and disappears from view in a thicket
At first, the male was well hidden
But then he emerged with the remains of a wildebeest calf clenched in his jaws
Leopard and kill (photo by Joubert)
Leopard male and kill
Leopard and kill (photo by Joubert)
Leopard male and kill
Leopard and kill (photo by Joubert)
And out he jumps, to share his meal with the female away from view
Returning to the scene later, we find the female, all muddied from a failed attempted kill, resting in a shady spot next to the road
She quickly repositions (photo by Joubert)
Leopardess eyeing an injured wildebeest calf
Leopardess in the trees
Leopardess cleaning herself, no longer interested in going after the prey that got away (photo by Joubert)

30 thoughts on “A most memorable encounter with Leopards”

    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      We’re more than happy to have you looking over our shouldrs, Lisa, and I’m still holding out hope that one day you’ll come visit our wild places for yourself!

      We didn’t enter the 2019 blog awards, as the voting coincided exactly with our month in Kruger, and I just didn’t want that distraction.

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  12. H.J. for avian101

    What a gorgeous cat this leopard. A bundle of muscles and tremendous agility. Nice series, D. and Joubert/ Thanks. 🙂

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  13. MJF Images

    Pretty awesome, I know about leopards and the randomness involved in observing them, even from my relatively short time there I learned that. As always, I’m appreciative of your sharing a piece of the region I hold dear. Have a great 2020!

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    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      Thanks, Michael, and to you as well!
      This really was one of our best leopard encounters ever, and I am sure every time we pass this spot in future we will look just a little more closely in the hopes of seeing them again.

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