Regular contributor Mark Fox sent this video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it near Biyamithi Camp in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Leopard in the riverbed
We join the action shortly after Mark and his companion spotted a mature male leopard crossing a riverbed. It is heading towards the rocky outcrop on the far riverbank.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the temperature rose, leading the predator to seek shelter.
Blends into the environment
As Mark filmed, he marvelled at how well the spotted cat merged with its surroundings. This, thanks to its stunning spotted coat, which breaks up the animal’s outline, rendering a very effective camouflage.
While we can’t say for certain that this is a regular haunt of the leopard, it remained vigilant, both for prey and the presence of danger.
After a while, the leopard found what he was looking for. The most obvious escape from the heat lay among the rocks.
To their disappointment, the leopard subsequently disappeared from view inside the small cave.
New angle
Not ready to give up on the special sighting, Mark manoeuvred his vehicle. Eventually, he found a new position from which he could see the predator clearly.
As he lifted his camera to resume filming, the sight of a gruesome injury on the animal caught him completely off guard.
As can be seen in the above image, the leopard’s entire right ear is missing. We have no way of telling how it lost its ear, but it was more than likely in a fight with another predator, possibly another leopard.
As the leopard turned its head, Mark got to see the full extent of the injury. The entire ear flap is missing, leaving a raw, open gash on the side of its head.
The wound looks fairly fresh and, as the video rolls on, we see that it is attracting numerous flies. This was to the annoyance of the unhappy cat, who repeatedly shook its head.
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Time to move
While we cannot say how long the leopard stayed in the cave, eventually it decided that it was time to move on.
This allows us to get a good view of the leopard’s general body condition. He is slightly lean, but no bones are protruding. Importantly, he is not limping.
This tells us that he is in fairly good condition and, thus far, unaffected by the injury to his ear. Whether or not its hearing is affected is also unknown.
Disappearing act
As the cat moves further up the embankment, we are again struck by how effortlessly it ‘disappears’ into the surrounding vegetation.
A leopard’s camouflaged coat is an important part of its hunting arsenal. Without it, they wouldn’t be nearly the successful ambush predators they are.
In the Kruger Park, where prey is abundant, leopards are successful in about 38% of their attempted hunts. However, in sparse landscapes like the Kalahari desert, that figure drops to around 14%.
Parting shot
As the video nears its conclusion, Mark zooms in on the leopard’s face.
That piercing stare is clear. Injured or not, this is not an animal you want to mess with.
Woman Adopts Her Perfect Dog, But One Heartbreaking Vet Visit Changes Everything
In the vast sea of dog stories, this particular one had me break into a million pieces! Taylor and Ozzie’s story is real proof of how incredible the bond between dogs and humans can be.
You laugh together, cry together, you share the most intimate secrets and moments, and you just can’t imagine living life without each other anymore! But, what do you do when everything goes wrong? What happens then?
Ozzy’s life story will reveal how truly inspiring the human-dog bond can be, even in what can only be called the worst of times.
Ozzie Was The Perfect Dog
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Taylor adopted Ozzie at just a few weeks of age. She looked on Craigslist for puppies needing to be rehomed and saw a picture of a floppy-eared, brown pup with one blue and one brown eye – and she instantly fell in love!
Ozzie looked like the perfect dog, and the fact that she had to drive from North Carolina all the way to Washington D.C. didn’t stop her! She was inclined to adopt him!
“I was in college, didn’t have that much money, had 3 roommates, was in school full time, played tennis for college full time, and worked part time. How could I fit a puppy into that schedule,” Taylor wrote on Instagram.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The two formed an amazing bond right off the bat! He was just an amazing pup that adapted into the new life in no time. In a way, both Taylor and Ozzie shared the same hobbies and interests.
Both loved hiking, going to the beach, walking in the park, and basically any outdoor activity.
“He is THE adventure guy. He loves to go hiking, to the beach, kayaking, in the snow, to breweries, parks, literally you put him in the car (or on a train, yes, he has been on a train) and he is ready for the adventure,” wrote Taylor.
Every time they had a chance to embark on a new adventure – they took it! Ozzie has always been an adventurous boi, and that really made his new mom fall in love with him even more!
Source: @livingdogfriendly
Years later, Taylor and her partner adopted another dog, Lulu, who became Ozzie’s best friend.
The two formed an incredible bond and really enjoyed each other’s company. Their playtime was practically a zoomie-show, and despite the fact that both were so energetic, they would always end the day with the sweetest snuggling ever!
Several amazing years later, Taylor noticed Ozzie limping, and she immediately rushed him to the vet. Unfortunately, the diagnosis was horrible!
The Devastating Vet Visit
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The vet took Ozzie to do some X-rays, and ten minutes later, he came out with the heartbreaking diagnosis. Ozzie suffered from osteosarcoma – a bone tumor and he only had a couple of months to live.
After receiving the news, Taylor was devastated. She called her husband who immediately left work and came. Luckily, there was one option to extend Ozzie’s life for several extra months – the amputation of his front leg and chemo.
Source: @livingdogfriendly
The couple didn’t think twice. They agreed to subject Ozzie to treatment despite all the hardship and extra commitment that awaited.
But, even through his surgery – Ozzie was just the most enthusiastic, happiest boi! He didn’t take the smile off his face even for one bit. He was a real fighter, and so were his parents!
Ozzie got his own, big bag that Taylor and her husband got just for walks. As he didn’t have so much strength (especially after chemo) to hike and walk like he used to, the couple carried him on their back, sometimes even for several miles.
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A post shared by Lulu & forever Ozzie (@livingdogfriendly)
They just couldn’t stand the idea of Ozzie not being able to enjoy his favorite things – and this was the only way to do it. His mom and dad did everything to make his quality of life better, and despite his progressing disease, Ozzie enjoyed every single moment!
The entire family helped Ozzie during his journey. Taylor’s dad, who was also battling cancer and lived in another state, felt the need to support this big boi. He’d send ice cream for Ozzie after every chemo session, which was just the cutest thing ever.
And, Lulu was just the greatest sister ever. Normally, she’s extremely hyper, but once she realized her brother was in pain, she turned into the gentlest sibling ever.
Your Memory Will Be Preserved, Good Boi
Source: @livingdogfriendly
After months of battling with his terminal disease, Ozzie sadly crossed the rainbow bridge. He lost the battle with cancer in March 2023 and went to eternal sleep.
Taylor and her husband were very heartbroken to part ways with Ozzie, but the fact that this beautiful boi had an amazing life till his last breath helped them cope.
“You touched so many lives, more than I had ever imagined a dog could. The love you gave was ever present and you lit up every room you walked into,” Taylor wrote in the touching Instagram post.
Ozzie was a unique dog, and he indeed made his family’s life so beautiful! Taylor and her family have moved to a new home in Virginia, but if I can say one thing with certainty, it’s that his legacy will certainly be remembered by his loved ones… Forever!
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