A special Leopard - and he knows it
Nov 14, 2019 19:04:37 #
On our last full day in South Africa, we set out around 5:30am as usual. We heard there was an unconfirmed Leopard sighting and we started towards that direction. There were a couple other trucks looking for him too, so our guide didn't rush, he took his time to show us rhino, giraffes, hippos, colorful birds and just about everything else we passed along the way he took time to tell us about. Once his radio went off again though and announced that it was now a confirmed sighting, we shifted gears and hauled tail over there!
We had gotten lucky the day before and saw a leopard drag his kill up into a tree, so I asked if they thought it would be the same one. He of course didn't know but when we got there and he saw his face, he said absolutely not, that this was a different male leopard and this was his story:
Ravenscourt was the name given to a female leopard that lived in the region shared by a few lodges. They all "knew" her and recognized her by her markings when they would see her out. Ravenscourt was a guide favorite and they claimed she taught them many things through their time observing her.
When they learned Ravensourt had cubs, they were all elated for her. She raised them as well as she could and was a very good mother, but life is rough out there. One day a male leopard came into another male leopards territory and tried to kill her son, the only one that she had left. She fought viciously to defend him and she did just that, but she died of her injuries. The lodges and guides in the area were devastated and went as far as to do a tribute to her which consisted of sharing beautiful memories and creating incredible artwork of her.
Ravenscourt left behind who they now call "Ravensourts Male" which is the stunningly beautiful Leopard that is shown in these photos. He oozes cockiness and is currently scent marking all over another male leopards territory. Not sure if he's fresh from a battle or heading to one, but he walks with the attitude that he knows he is special, and almost like he's out for vengeance...
We had gotten lucky the day before and saw a leopard drag his kill up into a tree, so I asked if they thought it would be the same one. He of course didn't know but when we got there and he saw his face, he said absolutely not, that this was a different male leopard and this was his story:
Ravenscourt was the name given to a female leopard that lived in the region shared by a few lodges. They all "knew" her and recognized her by her markings when they would see her out. Ravenscourt was a guide favorite and they claimed she taught them many things through their time observing her.
When they learned Ravensourt had cubs, they were all elated for her. She raised them as well as she could and was a very good mother, but life is rough out there. One day a male leopard came into another male leopards territory and tried to kill her son, the only one that she had left. She fought viciously to defend him and she did just that, but she died of her injuries. The lodges and guides in the area were devastated and went as far as to do a tribute to her which consisted of sharing beautiful memories and creating incredible artwork of her.
Ravenscourt left behind who they now call "Ravensourts Male" which is the stunningly beautiful Leopard that is shown in these photos. He oozes cockiness and is currently scent marking all over another male leopards territory. Not sure if he's fresh from a battle or heading to one, but he walks with the attitude that he knows he is special, and almost like he's out for vengeance...
Nov 14, 2019 19:13:36 #
Nov 14, 2019 19:15:27 #
Sark17 wrote:
On our last full day in South Africa, we set out a... (show quote)
A beautiful creature!
Nov 14, 2019 19:36:43 #
Nov 14, 2019 19:41:40 #
Great images of a beautiful animal.
He looks like one not to mess with!
will
He looks like one not to mess with!
will
Nov 14, 2019 19:46:12 #
Wonderful photos, Sark17. He is certainly "THE MAN", and you certainly captured his cockiness well.
Nov 14, 2019 20:02:07 #
Nov 14, 2019 20:04:07 #
Fabulous. We are all booked and ready to go Feb 23, signed with Storme. She has been wonderful, hopefully we will be as pleased as you were.
Nov 14, 2019 20:06:05 #
Nicely done. Especially like #4. Thanks for posting.
/George
Sorry about double posting, but Leopard shots worth it.
/George
Sorry about double posting, but Leopard shots worth it.
Nov 14, 2019 20:18:58 #
I’m so excited for you guys!!!! I’m actually booking my return with her now too. I wouldn’t have guessed how absolutely enamored I’d be with Africa. Can’t wait to see your photos from your adventure! February is right around the corner!
toxdoc42 wrote:
Fabulous. We are all booked and ready to go Feb 23, signed with Storme. She has been wonderful, hopefully we will be as pleased as you were.
Nov 14, 2019 20:20:38 #
Thank you so much!!! I just realized I didn’t include the “store original” link so hopefully they still look okay! He was super intense and from the looks of it, he’s been in a few recent fights. He just seems to have a little extra attitude.
gsmith051 wrote:
Nicely done. Especially like #4. Thanks for posting.
/George
Sorry about double posting, but Leopard shots worth it.
/George
Sorry about double posting, but Leopard shots worth it.
Nov 14, 2019 21:35:52 #
Nov 14, 2019 22:39:06 #
Nov 14, 2019 23:02:57 #
Outstanding photos ... & great background story. WOW!!!!! You've captured some excellent memories. Thanks for posting. Frank.
Nov 14, 2019 23:21:06 #
A very sad story for his mom - - and she left behind a gorgeous guy - - such is the life in the wild...
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