Leopards of Sabi Sands

[Tshokwane]

TERRY’S CYCLE HIGHLIGHTS: DECEMBER/JANUARY:

Maxabeni has also been spending a fair amount of time with us and there are certainly two very memorable sightings that I had of him over this cycle.

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The first was when he had killed an impala and placed the carcass in a very open Marula tree, probably the best trees to see a leopard in. I remember sitting and watching him for virtually an entire 3 hour game drive – in awe of how much he had eaten, occasionally dropping the odd scrap to the patient hyenas below.

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

The other sighting that was special, was the mating between Maxabeni and the young Tatowa female. Leopards mating is always a privilege, to share those moments with these elusive cats is a complete honour.

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*This image is copyright of its original author

When you are dominant like Maxabeni is, you are going to get some contenders and this has come in the way of the Kashane male. Both Toms have shown wounds, which we assume are from an altercation between the two, with Kashane coming off a little worse. However, despite his wounds, he is a confident, and extremely relaxed individual. He put on a show for one of our guests who had been going on safari for 16 years and never seen a leopard. What a male to see for your first time!

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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