ON THE EDGE OF EXTINCTION - D - THE LEOPARD (Panthera pardus)

[Styx38]

Leopard kills large horse in Libya

*This image is copyright of its original author

Hufnagel E. 1972. Cats (Felidae). In: Libyan mammals. The Oleander Press; p 41-44. 

http://www.catsg.org/cheetah/05_library/5_3_publications/H/Hufnagel_1972_Cats_of_Libya.pdf


The source mentions that a horse was suspected to be killed by Leopard rather than a Cheetah, even though there were no Leopards recorded in Libya.

The Leopard was stated to be protected in Morocco in the source, which was published as recently as 1972.

Wonder why there is not too much information as of recent for Moroccan Leopards? 

Also, could there have been a vagrant Leopard at the time to have made it to a town in Northern Libya?

 I am not sure a Cheetah is capable of killing a large horse, which are usually between 1000-2000 pounds, or even rivaling 2000 pounds.

Any guesses? Reply