Puff of Dust

In my opinion, there is nothing more fascinating than watching one of the bushes apex predators in full action. This is exactly what we were treated to this particular morning. We had had a quiet mornings drive in search of zebra and giraffe. We had all been commenting on just how quickly luck can change in the bush. While patiently watching some hippos in a dam after our morning hot chocolate and coffees, we heard a herd of Impala alarm snorting in the distance. With everyone holding on tight we rushed off towards where we had heard the sounds of panic. We slowed down and saw where the Impala rams were looking fixedly in one direction, with muscles and tendons locked and ready to fire off if needed the Impala edged forward staring and snorting. We slowly drove forward scanning the grass for any sign of a predator. All of a sudden Angie shouted “there, over there” and there she was, a beautiful female leopard appeared from behind a bush. She slowly walked away from the Impala feeling sorry for herself. As we followed she was zig-zaging left and right, when all of a sudden we saw something run off to her left, in a puff of dust she exploded into action and gave chase. In an instant, it was all over, the leopard caught a baby Common Duiker meters from our vehicle. As the dust settled we could still hear the duiker’s alarm calls, and then, silence. This is only the second time in 7 years that I have been fortunate enough to witness such an amazing sight.

Posted: &BEYOND Exeter Lodges by Craig Paulsen, Date: 6 July 2008