The guests from Africa on Foot were recently on a night drive in the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, when Roel van Muiden, their expert game ranger, heard impala barking close to Swartdam. An alarm call from an impala usually signals danger, and Roel decided to investigate.
Upon arriving at the dam, they found 6 hyena fighting over an impala carcass. The guests asked Roel what had happened, and initially he advised that hyena are capable of hunting impala on their own, but that the more likely scenario was that these hyena had scavenged from another predator with superior hunting skills.
As Roel investigated the surrounding area, they found the young female leopard, Rhulani, looking very annoyed (!), but safe up in a nearby tree. Needless to say it seems that the hyena had followed Rhulani on her hunt and waited for her to make her kill. Hyena are known to do this, and Rhulani, who is only 16 months old now, would have learnt a valuable lesson.
Rhulani seems to be independent from her mother now (the nThambo female), she is in good condition, and despite this setback, seems to be coping well.
Both Africa on Foot Camp and nThambo Tree Camp have excellent year round sightings of leopards. The Klaserie is one of the least commercial areas of the Kruger Park, so on leopard sightings guests can spend up to an hour viewing the animal in a relaxed and natural enviroment. All of Sun Safaris Safari Experts have visited both camps, so contact us today for advice and assistance.
