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 Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, 09 Oct. '17: "The distress call of impalas that he was hunting, gave away the presence of the White Dam male to a small clan of hyenas who charged in and treed the young male leopard. They soon lost interest and he then could disappear to continue on the hunt where he attempted his luck on some warthogs but was also unsuccessful and continued to search for something else to hunt."
From Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, 09 Oct. '17: "A new face to Sabi Sabi. We spent time with this big male leopard as he seemed to be exploring a new territory in Sabi Sabi."
From Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, 09 Oct. '17: "We were fortunate enough to find the White Dam male mating with the Msuthlu female. Just as we thought things couldn’t get more exciting, we noticed Maxabeni approaching these two and caught them in the act. Msuthlu dashed away and White Dam immediately showed submission towards his father, Maxabeni, who is also the territorial male in the area. Maxabeni did not fight with White Dam, maybe because he knew that White Dam is his son and maybe because White Dam showed immediate submission, but Maxabeni did show him who is in charge by a few thrilling growls and both went to relax on opposite sides of a big termite mound. What really amazed us was that Msuthlu returned after a while and started mating with Maxabeni while White Dam was watching and then she walked all around the termite mound to the other side and started mating with White Dam as well. She did this a few times, alternating between the two males until she decided to go and take a well-deserved rest. This is truly something I have never seen before, my Tracker Zeblon, who has been working for Sabi Sabi for about 17 years said this was a first for him as well."
From Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, 12 Oct. '17: "One of the frequently seen, and beautiful young male leopards on our property was marking territory this morning. He looked as if he was following the scent of another female leopard that might be in the area. Shortly after watching him, he got distracted by some impala that were a potential hunt. He sat and watched the impala, contemplating his next move but the wind was not in his favour and the impala got spooked and ran off. Soon after the unsuccessful hunt, he lay in the shade and relaxed."
Creditss to Jacques Viljoen - Tydon African Safaris.
We had a very special sighting this morning.
We came across one of the biggest leopards and one of my favorite leopards in the Sabi Sands. The male leopard Inyatini. Wow just wow. Can't get enough of this beautiful animal. Until next time have a good weekend.
From Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve: "The White Dam male is getting bigger day after day and is walking around as if this territory belongs to him. Here he was seen positioning himself from one thicket to the next as he attempted to ambush and stalk a bachelor herd of impala."
After a fantastic morning safari and just before it was time to head back to the lodge, we came across the dominant male leopard of the area, Maxabeni male, who went about his business marking his territory.
To me this image portrays the subject perfectly, old and wise.
Shot taken at night with assistance of a soft spotlight from an adjacent vehicle. He was approximately 1m from the vehicle and mated with a female a few seconds after this shot was taken.
From Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, 18 Oct. '17: "A young male leopard positions himself wisely in the heat of the day, right next to a seasonal pan. Later on, we watched him make his way to the water’s edge to quench his thirst."
Leopards of Sabi Sands
