African Leopards

[Ngala]

From Elzuwini Game Lodge, Two Leopards and Only One Steenbok at Ezulwini:

"When there is more than enough to go around, there is no reason to poach another predator’s prey, right? Well, not entirely. These two leopards were only doing what’s natural when we caught them in the act at Ezulwini Billy’s Lodge recently. One leopardess we know as Van Wijk’s female was chasing another leopardess called Manana who had just landed herself a steenbok kill! Leopards are solitary animals, and they compete with one another for territory and prey, so Van Wijk’s saw the opportunity to get an easy meal by intimidating a rival leopard and stealing her kill."

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

"Ezulwini guests had set out on game drive, and after admiring a gregarious group of giraffe and zebra, and a couple of bold baby elephants, the radio called in the sighting of Manana with a steenbok kill. Immediately, excitement filled the air, as the elusive leopard is right at the top of everybody’s safari sightings list! Josh drove his guests to the sighting, as soon enough, he clapped eyes on a second leopard sneaking around in the shadows."

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

"No one could have banked on this lucky sighting, but in the Balule, which is a privately reserve open to Kruger, anything is possible. The second female was soon identified as Van Wijk’s female, which is a regularly seen territorial leopardess. She had picked up on Manana’s scent and was hot on her trail. The cameras came out and guests snapped away as this very lucky sighting unfolded in front of their eyes."

*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

"Manana stayed hidden, and as soon as she made a break for it, carrying the steenbok in her jaws, Van Wijk’s female trotted closely behind her. It was fantastic to watch both leopards in the same frame – both desperate to eat, but only one fully deserving of the meal. Manana won out in the end, and settled to feed on most of her kill before deserting the remains of the carcass. Van Wijk’s female gave up the chase and soon slinked off into the thicket, but hopefully we will catch up with her soon!"

*This image is copyright of its original author

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