Zambia
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Monster (full resolution) image (293 kb)
Okay, this is another stinker, but if you look closely through
the brush you'll see the unmistakable spots of a Leopard
(Leo pardus)--a sight doubtless often the last
glimpsed by its prey. We had reached the end of the evening
game drive, left the National Park, and were on the road back
to the camp when two impala bounded across the road followed
shortly thereafter by this leopard. I got several excellent
views as the animal crossed the road and then walked down an
embankment on the side. But since I'd put the camera away, by
the time I could get it out, turn it on, and try to take a
picture, the leopard had walked into a thicket. Leopards can
get big--up to 90 kg and 1.5 metres long. This was a smaller
one--perhaps a female or juvenile. Spotting this leopard was an
unexpected treat--they are nocturnal and solitary and even
though the South Luangwa Valley has the reputation of being the
best place to see one, many visitors never do. With this
sighting we checked off the last box of the "African Big Five":
Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, and Buffalo.
by John Walker
July, 2001
This document is in the public domain.
