There are sightings, and then there are moments that feel almost sacred. This one will stay with us forever. Late one golden afternoon in Dinokeng, after carefully following fresh tracks and reading the subtle signs in the bush, we successfully tracked a leopard. What began as spoor in the sand turned into something extraordinary when she stepped out of the thicket and began walking directly toward our vehicle.
Leopards are known for being elusive and secretive. Most sightings are brief, sometimes you just see a flick of a tail disappearing into grass or a shape draped over a tree branch. But this female moved with calm confidence.
Very quickly we began to notice her behaviour. Female leopards come into oestrus for a short period, and during this time they move more frequently through territories looking for a male. They scent mark often by spraying urine against shrubs and trees. They rub their faces and flanks along branches and may even roll in the grass to spread their scent. These actions signal to nearby males that they are ready to mate.
As we watched, she paused near the roadside and sprayed against a low bush. She rubbed her cheek along the bark and then lowered herself into the grass, rolling once before standing again. When a female is receptive, she may walk long distances across territories to ensure males pick up her scent. Once a male locates her, mating can take place repeatedly over several days to increase the chance of successful fertilisation.
What made this sighting unforgettable was how close she came. She walked past our vehicle as though we were simply another part of the landscape. We could hear the soft crunch of gravel beneath her paws. We could see the detail in her whiskers and the steady intensity in her eyes.
Eventually she disappeared back into the bush. The vehicle remained silent for a long time, everyone aware that we had witnessed something rare. Leopards do not reveal themselves easily. To see one is always special. To witness one during such an intimate and vulnerable time is something truly extraordinary.
Eventually she disappeared back into the bush. The vehicle remained silent for a long time, everyone aware that we had witnessed something rare. Leopards do not reveal themselves easily. To see one is always special. To witness one during such an intimate and vulnerable time is something truly extraordinary.
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