Leopard photographs by Yvonne van der Mey

On this page you'll see some of the pictures I've taken of leopards - males, females, cubs and even a mating pair. Most of these pictures were taken in the Kruger National Park in South Africa. Leopard (not to be mistaken with cheetah) is another animal that practically every visitor to Africa is looking for. A magnificent animal, a top predator, great at climbing in trees and the most elusive of all. With its spotted coat it can be very hard to see in the bush. Most encounters with leopards come as a big surprise. One moment you don't see anything and then the next moment, you're looking right into its eyes. A very experienced African ranger told us that "one can only see a leopard, when the leopard wants to be seen". And after spending so much time in the African bush, I believe him.

Even though a leopard is much smaller than a lion, I have much more respect for it as a predator. A leopard is smart; we have witnessed one planning to kill a warthog and then execute the plan perfectly. You can read more about it in the story "Leopard kill" (coming soon). We have heard of leopards watching people/herdsman to figure out their routines and then after some time get what they were after. Leopards hunt in a very different way to other predators. Most of the time they don't chase their prey, but rather wait in ambush. They are well known for moving prey, larger and heavier than themselves, over a long distance and finally dragging it into a tree. Leopards are very succesful; the only member of the Big Five that still roams freely throughout Africa, also outside the National Parks. You can't keep a leopard inside and you can't keep a leopard outside, the leopard goes where he pleases.

** News Release ** Leopard photo wins international CIC award

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