An extraordinary encounter
on Nov 15, 2024Leopards are known for their incredible adaptability and hunting prowess, making them one of the most successful predators in the animal kingdom. Menacing but so elusive, these big cats are skilled hunters, able to tackle a variety of prey ranging from small rodents to larger ungulates. However, an uncommon event that recently caught our attention was the sighting of a leopard with an aardvark kill hoisted in a tree. This rare occurrence underscores not only the adaptability of the leopard but also highlights the unique challenges faced by both predator and prey in the wild.
Aardvarks are nocturnal mammals native to sub-Saharan Africa, easily identifiable by their pig-like snouts and long ears. Equipped with powerful digging claws, these creatures are primarily myrmecophagous, meaning they thrive on a diet of ants and termites. While aardvarks are generally well adapted to evading predators due to their underground burrowing behaviour and nocturnal lifestyle, they are not immune to the dangers that lurk above ground.
On a misty morning, with a few drops of rain from the previous night made it easy to recognise the elusive leopard tracks prowling up and down the same road. With the expertise of our trackers, we could determine the direction of the last tracks which looked fresher than most of the other trackers. Going in circles, we failed to locate the elusive predator. Going back to the same place we lost the tracks, but it was just then when we all happened to look up a tree and there it was, a once in a lifetime sighting – even for us guides who have driven plenty of safaris!
An aardvark up a tree with half its body missing.
The young Mgiba female leopard was full and lying on the ground the whole time. Only just independent from her mother, Ntsumi, this female seems to be thriving and managing to fend for herself in not only catching prey, but the rare and more elusive one - the Aardvark.
This female leopard and her rare aardvark kill is a stunning example of nature’s unpredictability and complexity. It showcases the remarkable strategies employed by both predator and prey, highlighting the survival instinct naturally in each species. As we bear witness to these extraordinary moments in the wild, we are reminded of the beauty and brutality that coexist in the natural world.
Blog by Ronald Mutero (Selati Camp Ranger)
