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Leopard v baboon
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wow
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Fascinating.
CW |
"Wow" is all I can manage too.
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Amazing!!! (the other expressions were taken by Lynn and the others who just posted!!!)
Hari |
john,
I havent checked yet, but, have LE updated their sightings news? i will chk later today..... Hari |
Wow, this is fascinating and amazing! (ok, it's late. I didn't want to come up with new ones(-:)
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Hari,
Not yet. Thanks for reminding me to look...been a bit pre-occupied lately. John |
How about - Awesome!!!
regards - tom |
One very smart leopard, indeed. I'm surprised that the baboons didn't know she was faking. Perhaps they knew, but collectively decided to let it survive and be happy with giving it a good what for.
Interesting, John. Sherry |
John - that is one amazing "playing possum" story. Who would have thought a leopard would play that card to survive.....
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The leopard is the most cunning animal.....that's why their numbers all over the world are good.
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Clever indeed, with the threat removed there is no reason for the baboons to continue their onslaught.
Most have been an incredible sight to observe that action. |
What a fascinating scene. For those that ever visit Kwando Lebala, they have photos showing a pack of wild dogs killing a leopard which are quite amazing. Again, the leopard was surrounded but the wild dogs were relentless and continued their attack until they were sure the leopard was dead. Hari you must have seen these photos?
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I have seen those photos of the wild dogs killing the leopard -- incredible!
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Okay, what's left to say. Unbelievable.
Thanks for the link, John. This is why our guide in TZ on our last safari said the leopard is his favorite animal "because he is so shrewd." |
Gaurang,
No i havent....they must hv just put it in. Where in Lebala? in the lounge? Have you seen the one with the cheetah with the ostrich kill (Lagoon?) Hari |
Just saw PB's post.....Hmmmm maybe i spend my time in the lounge/dining talking to Spencer etc etc., A LOT and missed these amazing pictures? some reason doesnt ring a bell....
Hari |
Thanks John - it is fantastic!!!
i have a remark to make at the conclusion paragraph it is a classical example of a looking at it from the WRONG ANGLE <font color="gray"> "it is also of interest since baboons do not feature high on the list of leopard prey." ..."baboons do not make up an important portion of leopard prey "... </font> So what?? Is it relevant to the specific observation? a Leopard is highly opportunistic has a long prey-list. In this case it had a <u>chance</u> and decided to take it... the statistical "status" of Baboons on a Leopard's menu is irrelevant. on the other hand <b> experts consider the Leopard to be the most effective predator of Baboons </b> which explains their behaviour & the risk (vs. chance of gaining ) some individuals are ready to take in confronting it & the general motivation of members of the Baboon society... BTW some researchers have described males fleeing to save their skin without protecting females and young Since the predation rate on baboons is rather low , it is an indirect hint that their anti-predator behaviour is the rule & that it works finally i couldn't find the reference, but i remember a significant predation by leopards on baboons in the Amboseli research (which at the time left me puzzled since i've never seen a leopard in Amboseli on numerous visits.... at the time, during the 80s it was the best place to see cheetah, rhino and even lions) |
aby,
It would be interesting to see Bill's (Pred's) thoughts on the points you raise. Whether relevant or not, I found the author's comment in the report of the incident interesting because for some reason, I'd always thought baboons would be high on the leopard's list. Perhaps Richard D. Estes gives a clue in his <i>The Safari Companion</i>. While he lists boldness, stealth, patience and cunning among the leopard's attributes, he also says it seems to have an inferiority complex, is timid and easily unnerved. So I guess it might be easily put off by even just a couple of barking baboons. Or maybe it's just ultra smart, knowing that any injury could be disastrous for a solitary hunter. That's my inexpert 2c worth :) John |
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