© Bill Given

In July at Kwando Lagoon Camp I had what was likely my most interesting leopard sighting ever. We found a young female leopard stalking through the grass and then exploding up into a tree. She was very intent on hunting birds and often made big leaps between trunks and major branches. The leopard would then probe far out on small limbs before descending quickly and jumping to try another part of the tree.

The leaps came with a shocking confidence and she was clearly on a mission.
Her eyes were constantly gazing up in search of prey.
© Bill Given

© Bill Given

© Bill Given

Eventually she came down from the tree and hunted through the grass before trying two more climbs.
© Bill Given

Having come up empty she proceeded to rest on top of a termite mound striking lovely leopard poses.
© Bill Given

© Bill Given

Once again the leopard began to hunt and entered some tall grass. As the light was getting low for my long lens I switched to video just in time to film her quickly pounce on a francolin and come trotting out with her hard won bird.

© Bill Given

She then spent ten minutes plucking all the feathers from the francolin before finally enjoying her meal. Continuing to be a show cat completely relaxed in our presence the Lagoon leopard gave herself a bath and then slowly walked off leaving us beaming from the thrill of spending an hour with an active leopard.

© Bill Given

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