“The continued existence of wildlife and wilderness is important to the quality of life of humans.” ~ Jim Fowler

The quality and quantity of leopard sightings this week has been incredible!

On their way to help fellow rangers follow up on tracks of a male leopard, Kevin’s tracker, Sydney, pointed to the ground – he had spotted tracks of a female leopard and continued to follow them. In the distance he spotted the Kigelia female leopard draped over the branches of a Marula tree next to the road. She had also managed to secure herself a meal in the form of a Steenbok.

Ntsumi was on a mission looking for something to hunt but with all the rain we have received, the vegetation has become extremely lush. She really had her work cut out for her and at times, disappeared completely in the long grass.

The male leopards have also been seen on a daily basis this past week with sightings of Maxabeni, White Dam, N’weti and the elderly Xovonekela male.

Shortly after departing the lodge one morning, we located the White Dam male strolling down the road, scent marking as he went along. With the grass being relatively long, he jumped up in to a Marula tree to scan his surroundings. A few days later he was looking rather comfortable as he rested in a tree.

Maxabeni was located with an impala kill beneath a Marula tree. He glanced up and we thought he was going to climb up the tree to stash his kill but decided to rather drag it beneath a small bush in the dense vegetation.

Although having what seemed to be a full belly, the N’weti male was having a look at some nearby impala but soon went back to sleep.

The large, elderly leopard – Xovonekela – was a welcome face to see this week as he was strolling through his territory to the western sector of Sabi Sabi and scent marking as he went along.

Wild dogs have been around quite a bit this week too, and they were very successful in their hunting attempts. Firstly, managing to take down an impala which they finished in no time at all. Then a Scrub Hare, followed by a young kudu. This is just what we witnessed, but with their incredible hunting success rate, we have no doubt these were not their last meals for the week.

General sightings have also been plentiful this week.

Until next time...