The Hunt is on!

On the evening of 30th April 2008 while driving back towards the lodge, we decided to take a turn past an area where a female leopard had been hanging around for the past few days near the camp. Just as we were talking about where to look and what to look for, there she was. One of the biggest female leopards in this part of the reserve and mother to three beautiful 8-10 week old cubs appeared out from behind a bush stalking some Impala to the left of the road. We switched off all the lights and anxiously waited to hear the unmistakable alarm snort of the Impala. Secretly we were all sitting holding with bated breath, waiting for a more exciting sound of a death cry signaling success after the hunt. We sat for almost 20 minutes in silence and darkness when all of a sudden we made out the shape of her magnificent body sleeking past our vehicle to get around the Impala. As we followed we heard the Impala snorting at her. The hunt was over.

Posted: Exeter by Craig Paulsen, Date: 28 April 2008