...too big

We had left one of our female leopards and her about 1 ½ year old male cub in the morning at a watering hole. Full bellies and the remains of a impala carcass they had left in the morning promised we would find them not far from their shady spot in the afternoon. The mother was still lying in the shade between some high grass, only some spots being visible. We decided to drive down towards the sand river to look for the young male. Suddenly 3 huge male kudus crossed the road gracefully right in front of us. Stunned we watched the Kudu as Jophet picked up a white spot behind a tree. “A leopard’s tail!!!” The young male we were looking for was stalking the kudu (which is usually not on a leopards menu, especially not within the size of our youngster). The Kudu came closer and closer to the leopard. Eventually the spotted cat was only about 2 meters from the antelope and made a jump. Instead of the kudu running away, the young leopard stopped in midair. The kudu turned his horns towards the leopard, barking at him. Now it was the leopard running away until he was far enough to take a breath and think again about what prey will be for him in the future. Melina Graf caught the young male in mid air...

Posted: Kirkman's Kamp by Stephanie Mast, Date: 14 March 2010