Ranger Diary

Of leopards and elephants

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We left on the afternoon game drive not looking for anything in particular. We were just cruising along and enjoying the scenery. We were looking at some giraffes which I always say make the best models for photography.

As we were enjoying their antics, Monika, a fellow ranger called on the radio that she has spotted some elephants close-by. We started making our way to the elephant sighting. As we arrived there were just elephants all around us! Big ones and small ones all enjoying themselves, playing around and just being elephants. We enjoyed their presence for a long time and then decided to go and have some drinks at fish eagle picnic spot.

As we were making our way towards the picnic spot, someone shouted: "LEOPARD!!!" I looked up and at first could not see her, as I stood up in my seat to get a little higher, there she was! A beautiful female leopard sitting on a rocky outcrop just staring at us! I saw that she had a fresh wildebeest kill with her so I told everybody to start taking pictures as this is not seen very often and especially not in such good light as it was still late afternoon.

Well, little did we know that another little surprise was sitting right behind her. She had a cub with her!! The cub soon disappeared behind the bushes as more vehicles pulled in to watch this beautiful cat. The female though was not bothered at all. She lazily got up and started feeding; every now and again looking up at us just to make sure she is still in the limelight.

After about 45 minutes she got up and pulled the carcass behind the trees with the help of her cub of course! We then left her and the little one alone and made our way home towards a warm fire and sure not to ever forget our afternoon with the leopard female and her cub!

Guide: Alisha Ellis