There are sightings - and then there are moments that feel almost sacred. One 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. 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.
Rolling next to the vehicle - flirting almost - we began to realized something. 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 stopped near the roadside and sprayed her urine against a bush. She rubbed her cheek along the bark and then lowered herself into the grass - rolling a few times. 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 to us. She walked past our vehicle and we could hear the soft crunch of gravel under her paws. We could see the detail in her whiskers and the intensity in her blue eyes. (Yes - they were blue). It was incredible.
Visit the following link to witness the encounter
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