Excellent Hlatshwayo sent this video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it at the Napi-Numbi junction in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Watch the sighting:
Why did the leopard cross the road?
As Excellent’s video begins, a sight most visitors to the park dream of greets us. We see a female leopard crossing the road.
The Kruger Park has a very healthy population, with many of the individuals well-habituated to the presence of vehicles. As a result, they often behave in a relaxed and purposeful manner.
With a backward glance
However, when this beautiful specimen reaches the other side, she stops and looks behind her. While she still appears relaxed, she seems to have forgotten something.
Subsequently, she turns around and wanders back into the road. You can’t help but wonder whether she is lost or searching for something.
As she stands before Excellent’s safari vehicle, we see that she appears to be in good condition, although it looks like she could use a meal. Perhaps she is hunting…
About turn
Strangely, after appearing to listen for a few moments, she does an about turn and returns to the verge on the far side of the road. There, she stops for a moment and stares into the long grass at her feet.
At this point, a sharp-eyed observer would notice a slight movement just in front of her. Next, we hear Excellent conferring with one of his colleagues in their native Tsonga language. They’ve worked out the puzzling behaviour.
Mystery solved
Moments later, the young leopard turns and walks back towards the other side of the road. This time, a tiny cub, probably only a couple of months old, follows her.
Unlike its mother, the cub is somewhat skittish. With big eyes, it takes in all the vehicles and thrilled tourists. Thankfully, all present remain still and quiet, awed by their privilege of seeing the youngster emerging from the vegetation.
Cleared to cross
Having decided that it is safe to do so, Mum then leads her precious cub across the road. The little one scampers after her, not wanting to let its protector and provider out of its sight.
As they reach the other side, both Mum and cub stop once more. At this point, one gets the feeling that this sighting might come to an end as the pair melts into the long grass.
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But wait! There’s more!
However, Mother Nature still has more surprises in store. After scanning the grass on this side of the road, the mother leopard turns and crosses the road once again.
As she does, a cub scampers after her. And then, to the delight of everyone watching, a second cub follows its sibling.
Leopards can give birth to up to four cubs at a time. However, it is usually two, as is the case here.
Mission accomplished
While we’ll never know how the separation occurred in the first place, we can take comfort in knowing that the young family is reunited.
As the video comes to an end, the trio is last seen slinking into the long grass. The mother leopard has successfully navigated the traffic and will surely go on to be as caring and vigilant as she was throughout this episode.
Hyperactive Baby Hippo Scares Everyone In The Waterhole
This amusing video was sent to Latest Sightings by Isa Carter. She filmed it at a water hole in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
I’m bored!
It’s often said that an “only child” can be a challenge, especially for friends and neighbours. And, judging by the events in this video, the same is true in the animal kingdom.
As Isa’s video begins, we see a lone hippo calf standing on the banks of its water hole. In the background, a herd of zebras await their turn to come down for a drink.
Amusing itself
It would seem that it has no one to socialise with. Nevertheless, as it runs around, it appears quite content to burn off the excess energy of youth on it’s own.
After charging around on the water’s edge for a while, it decides to return to the water, seemingly delighted at the big splash it makes.
For a chubby calf, it is surprisingly light-footed. As it takes to the water, it continues to amuse Isa and her companions with its antics. Quite what the rest of the onlookers think is open to debate.
Its mother, seen in the foreground above, seems content to watch the calf at play. Like any harried mum, she is probably enjoying a moment alone.
Thirsty zebras
Meanwhile, when the rambunctious calf took to the water, the zebras headed down to the water to slake their thirst. However, when the calf notices them, it cocks its ears in interest.
Potential playmates?
Consequently, it would seem that the calf saw the new arrivals as potential playmates. Subsequently, the over-enthusiastic calf set off towards the zebras with all the joys of youth.
Unfortunately for the little hippo, his barrelling approach was a bit much for the skittish zebras. In response, they turned and trotted away from the water’s edge.
By the time he emerged from the water, the zebras had retreated to the nearby treeline. Evidently, the hippos’ behaviour was a bit much when all they wanted was a quiet drink.
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Abundant energy
Nonetheless, their disappearance did little to dampen the calf’s enthusiasm. He had energy to spare and was going to burn it off one way or the other. Even if it meant playing with elephant dung…
As Isa’s video draws to an end, the little hippo, undeterred, continued to charge up and down on the lakeshore.
And, despite his protestations of innocent fun, the zebras in the background remained unwilling to join in the fun.
Playful practice
As amusing as the young hippo’s behaviour is, it actually serves an important part of its early development. Playtime for young animals is the time when they will learn the various skills necessary for long-term survival.
Hippos are highly territorial creatures, particularly in their aquatic homes. As such, while the calf may not be doing so intentionally, it is employing various behaviours that in later life will help it assert its territorial dominance.
These include charging towards intruders, patrolling the domain, and gaping jaw displays. Of course, at this stage in its life, it is all in the spirit of play.
However, later in life, these skills may mean the difference between life and death. Whatever the outcome, for us as observers, they’re both fascinating and fun to observe.
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