Joan Vich managed to capture the poignant moment on film and it seems her timing was impeccable. Had her vehicle passed the site just a few moments later, she would have completely missed the mother and her cub, as they were quickly up the tree and out of view.
Mother leopard makes her way towards tree
The leopard mother had brazenly approached the tree, with her cub firmly in her grip. She held the little one by the scruff of its neck and moved with a quiet urgency.
Her behaviour presented a remarkable display of strength, instinct and maternal care. She was determined that nothing would come near her little one.
When she got to the base of the tree, she began to climb up its trunk. Her intention was to place the cub where it was relatively safe, away from the roving predators and threats which are often found on the ground.
Leopards are uniquely adapted to climb trees. Their powerful hind legs and flexible shoulders allow them to climb almost vertically, even while carrying extra weight.
A cub can weigh several kilograms, yet a female leopard can still ascend with ease, even when carrying a cub. This cub hung safely from her jaws and she carried it effortlessly, placing it tenderly in the fork of some branches, where mother and cub were relatively hidden from view.
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Cub lifted up into tree, away from threats on the ground
Leopard mothers often use trees as secure refuges, especially when cubs are very young and vulnerable to predators such as lions, hyenas or even other leopards.
Through lifting her cub off the ground, she was removing the young animal from immediate danger.
In addition to providing safety, a tree is also valuable in providing shade and relief during hot hours. Furthermore, being positioned at this height allows leopards to keep watch over their surroundings.
The small leopard was completely cooperative and didn’t even flinch as she carried it all the way up to the high branches of the tree.
Leopards are adept climbers and it didn’t take long for the mother to reach a fork in the trunk where it separated into branches. She had found the perfect spot where few threats would be able to reach her cub.
A successful climb
Viewing the sighting, one is almost impressed by the cooperative nature of the cub. It is actually the scruffing reflex which causes cubs to go limp and remain calm when they are carried in such a fashion. This helps to reduce the risk of falling.
This beautiful sighting was another reminder of the special bonds which exist in the wild, in this instance, a leopard mother and her little cub.
While leopards are solitary by nature, mothers will raise their cubs alone for up to two years. During this time, they will teach them survival skills such as stalking, climbing and hunting. Moments like this highlight the delicate balance between danger and care in the wild, where a single decisive action can mean the difference between life and death.
