Leopards of Sabi Sands

[Ngala]

From Umkumbe Safari Lodge, Umkumbe Leopard Catch Up With Ranger Marius
Deep in thickets walks a majestic and proud cat with acute senses, deadly prowess and lethal killing tactics. A loner, a survivor and graceful demeanour like that of royalty; this is the much revered Panthera pardus species. This super-predator possesses so much skill that it creates quite a deadly combination.
The abundance of drainage lines, high concentration of game and potential den sites in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin provide the ideal conditions and habitat for leopards. Umkumbe spots leopards on a regular basis and is certainly no stranger to unique leopard interactions. The masterful stalking and the ambushing of prey is often seen while out on game drive. Just the other day the slender leopardess, Tatowa, was seen with a kill. These types of sightings are not uncommon!

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

There are a few leopards and leopardesses seen on a regular basis. When territories shift, males wander, new cubs are born and seasons change; we often see an influx of unknown leopards. But, in the meantime, we can safely say we haven’t had any recorded sightings of new leopards in the past few weeks. However, the old favourites have been back.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

Marius Zeilinga says, “Mxabane was on a waterbuck kill on the river in front of the lodge. He was actually relaxing and sleeping because his stomach was so full! Then, White Dam was being her normal self hiding out in the bush. She eventually jumped onto a fallen jackalberry tree to have a bit of a stretch. Little Bush appeared to be on the prowl, moving between drainage lines and stalking whatever she could find. She was keeping away from the open areas.”

*This image is copyright of its original author

Reply