Leopard Cubs!!!!!!!!

I can only describe the finding of these Leopard Cubs as the highlight of my entire career. We set out on drive to investigate alarm calls from a troop of baboons in the river near River Lodge. On arriving at the scene, we spotted a female leopard lying up on a rock. Surprised at her reluctance to move away from the marauding baboons, we soon put two-and-two together and realized that she was protecting something. We sat patiently, for nearly an hour, waiting…just a glimpse was all we wanted. Just then, the grass parted and out walked three eight-week-old leopard cubs with ice blue colored eyes seeking the refuse of their mother. We were speechless and watched in awe as the cubs suckled and chased their mother’s tail. Since this day, we have seen her introduce the cubs to an Impala kill as well as take a live baby Bushbuck to the den for the cubs to “play” with. What an amazing sight and I look forward to many more hours with these awesome predators.

Posted: Exeter by Brendan Streak, Date: 1 May 2008

 
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