Leopards on the prowl

For sometime, Matetsi has had a resident Leopard population. Resident in our case can be taken quite literally with Leopards hunting in and around the lodge premises. Nevertheless, sightings of the shy cats have remained few and far between and most evidence of the Leopards presence has been in form of tracks and calls, normally late at night or in the early morning hours. Matetsi Lodges has become the adopted home of several Warthogs and Chobe Bushbuck. That is no doubt what attracts the Leopards to visit the lodge, normally late at night once guests and staff have gone to bed. Last year a female Leopard with two cubs were frequent visitors. This week's sighting, by ranger Richard and tracker Edward, of a young Leopard at West Water Camp seems to confirm that the Matetsi Lodges are still a favorite area for Leopards. The sighting was unusual as this time the Leopard was spotted in the early hours of the evening, probably patrolling his territory.

Posted: Sandibe by CC Africa, Date: 6 October 2006