The Leopard is the most elusive animal in the forest. Smaller than a tiger, it is sleek, well-proportioned and graceful, with beautiful rosettes on its hide.

Leopard (Panthera pardus)

A true ‘designer special’ species of wildlife, the Leopard is a very adaptive species and a stealthy opportunist, well-versed in the art of skulking and camouflage.

We sighted a Leopard once on the jungle path in Nagarhole. We quickly followed it in a van. As we reached this magnificent creature, it stepped aside and hid behind a single stalk of eupatorium.  It then disappeared like magic. This was an incredible ‘vanishing’ feat on the part of the Leopard. Only with great difficulty could I recognize the animal by the glint in his eyes through my tele lens.

Leopard (Panthera pardus)

Leopards generally choose twilight time to roam in the jungle when all objects lose their colour and become a monochromatic grey due to poor lighting. The animal at this time, quite fascinatingly, looks like an apparition on the move. Leopards are adept at climbing trees and take pleasure in this to enjoy a peaceful siesta, sprawled conveniently on a branch.  This is where they hide their kill from scavengers who could steal it from them. Here, they are also safe from enemies such as tigers and wild dogs. It is wonderful to watch a leopard carrying its kill using its claws; it first stealthily climbs a tree to deposit the kill safely on a branch and then lies majestically next to it – an incredible feat of strength, tenacity, and skill. A leopard sprawled over a branch naturally makes for an exciting spectacle of wildlife and is a ‘dream image’ to capture on film.

Leopards perched on trees are a regular sight in the Kabini forests. The presence of tigers or wild dogs is thought to contribute to this behavior. A leopard, when on a tree, is also not easily detected by co predators and prey, except for Langurs, Macaques, Peafowl, and Giant Squirrels. This position is also convenient as it affords a good vantage point for observation and ambush.

TNA Perumal

Thanjavur Nateshachary Ayyamperumal is a doyen of wildlife photography in India.    Read More...

This entry was posted on Friday, July 9th, 2010 at 6:58 pm and is filed under Carnivore, Predators. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.