There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
From Nkorho Bush Lodge, credits to Nkorho Rangers: 13 December 2016
Morning Drive. -On the way back to the lodge, we found Quarantine male Leopard on our driveway, we spent half an hour with him whilst he was trying to stalk Impala but also without any luck.
From Nkorho Bush Lodge, credits to Nkorho Rangers: 14 December 2016 Afternoon Drive. -Saw Tingana and Karula, still mating, not to far from where Shadow was seen.
From Tintswalo Safari Lodge: Safari update
Yesterday morning, the Ntsuntsu male Leopard was found at Khoka Moya dam. The Mbiri pride was found on Windi Windi.
In the afternoon, the Ntsuntsu male Leopard was found again on Ngala loop. He was chasing the scent of a female, we think was the Sable bridge female.
The Kashane male leopard pauses his descent from a marula tree to make sure that the pack of wild dogs that chased him up there are gone. These sorts of conflicts between predators are typically over competition for food.
*This image is copyright of its original author
The Piva male descends a tree carefully after feeding off the impala kill that he had hoisted earlier in the day. Leopards in the area will usually hoist their food in order to protect it from being stolen by lions and hyenas.
*This image is copyright of its original author
The Inyathini male leopard notices something in the distance, by his reaction it was more than likely potential food. The eyesight of leopards fascinates me, as even through my binoculars I could not see what he was looking at.
Another unforgettable moment with my/many other people's favorite Leopard. Mbavala/ Vin Diesel walked right past my car (Right past within touching distance), and went into a culvert under the road. It was midday and very warm but yet he will walk on the warm tarmac and choose to walk right past the cars, instead of going ito the grass/sand, obviously going there first thing tomorrow morning to see if he will be there....Always amazing to see this beast so close that you can smell him!!
12-17-2016, 06:40 PM( This post was last modified: 12-17-2016, 06:44 PM by Ngala )
From Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve, 11 Dec. '16: "After a while of not being seen, we were really really pleased to locate male leopard, Mvula, feeding on a young impala up in the north yesterday evening. Images by Andrew Khosa"
From Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve: "Mahlathini male and White Dam's young cub were seen this morning fighting over an impala ram kill that was hoisted into a Marula Tree. Beneath we also had a Spotted Hyena that was waiting patiently for any scraps to fall."
From Tintswalo Safari Lodge: "The Rhulani and Beacon male leopards were found having a verbal altercation close to the airstrip. As they moved side by side towards airstrip road, they were ambushed by the 3 young Mbiri Lionesses and Rhulani was very nearly caught. Luckily both Leopards found the sanctity of the tree's and only resumed their verbal onslaught after the Lions had left. The Lions ended up on Panicum." 20 Dec. '16
White Dam's sub-adult cub and the Mahlathini male fought in a battle over an impala kill. The much younger male stood up to Mahlathini in an epic sighting which Ranger, Mike Palmer managed to capture on video.
Credits to Umkumbe Safari Lodge. "Magnificent Mxabene! Some of you will recognise this impressive male leopard from your game drives with us at Umkumbe, and others might know him from our Facebook page - but he has certainly been an object of affection for all our staff and visitors for a few years. How could he not be? Handsome male."
From Tintswalo Safari Lodge, 21 Dec. '16: "Yesterday morning, we found no Lions, but had a fantastic sighting of the tekwane male Leopard on Old chiefs kaia road. He moved around looking for some Impala lambs."
Leopards of Sabi Sands
