STOLEN REWARD

Whilst on a morning game drive one of the rangers noticed drag marks going across the road. Fresh leopard tracks revealed that a leopard must have made a kill and dragged it off into the 'safety' of the nearby river bed, to enjoy his prize at leisure.

We drove into the thicket and saw a large male leopard slink out of sight. My guests have been very eager to see a leopard so we decided to go look in this area around sunset, usually a good time to find these majestic cats.

While on our way to the area we saw fresh male lion tracks heading in the direction of the leopard and its kill. When we were about 50m from the area where the leopard had been spotted earlier we found the very full, sleeping male lion. Blood on his chin and paws revealed to us that this male must have smelt the carcass and chased the leopard away before devouring the remains. The poor leopard could stand no chance against the lion and probably did not even try to defend his meal.

Once again the mysteries of the bush reveal themselves in fascinating ways.

Posted: Phinda by Felicity Swanepoel, Date: 17 February 2011