Fig the Leopard (Part 2): Morning on the Mara
“Ultimately, a leopard sighting, especially a good one, is usually about luck.”
—Danetiu Ovidiu, Moderator, Big Cats of Maasai Mara Facebook Group
It was still dark, a faint hint of light on the horizon when the call came in to our guides — leopard sighting out on the savannah under a lone tree. We hastily climbed into the trucks, pulling our hats down around our ears in the chill of the African morning. The evening before we’d met Fig down in the creek bed. Could this be her again? The sun was just above the horizon when we pulled up near the tree. In the early light we could see not one, but two leopards!
Fig and her cub Figlet snuggled together at the base of the tree. A long streak of blood stained the tree trunk — the result of the night’s successful hunt was safely stashed high above. Mother and daughter posed casually for us, then Figlet headed off to the creek bed for cover. Fig settled down for a cat nap, showing off her beautiful string of leopard black pearls circling her neck.
Based on the size of her round belly, she seemed full and content. The gazelles and zebras in the distance relaxed and returned to grazing, sensing there was no current danger. Then, out of nowhere, a solitary hyena appeared. With a keen sense of smell and interest in a free meal, the hyena hoped he might be able to profit from Fig’s successful hunt.
Verrrrry carefully the hyena tiptoed closer. Fig seemed oblivious to the nearby marauder. She rubbed and cleaned her face and paws like any domestic kitty.
I held my breath as the hyena crept closer and closer…. Did he really think it was wise to sneak on a leopard? Leopards are fast and deadly!
Fig was polite as far as leopards go. Finally, she opened her eyes and snarled at the hyena. Oh my Fig, what big teeth you have! What strong jaws you have! What long whiskers you have!
The hyena, dreams of a free lunch dashed, got the message and retreated to a safe distance. Fig sat up and contemplated the carcass in the treetops. At some point in the night she hauled a full-grown gazelle weighing at least 50 lbs. straight up that tree. Leopards are unique in their habit of stashing their food. Cheetahs only eat fresh meat so eat their meal as soon as they catch it. Lions share their kill with the rest of the pride and will happily steal meat from another predator or feast on a rotting carcass. Any leftovers are claimed by the hyenas, jackals, and vultures. Leopards, are different. They don’t share. They stash the spoils from the hunt out of reach of other animals and save it for later.
With one leap Fig launched herself up the tree.
With athletic ease and perfect balance, she perched on the first branch under the gazelle. I imagined her replaying the hunt in her mind as she gazed at the animal that would sustain her and her cub for the next few days.
In one movement she leapt higher and rearranged the kill so there would be no risk of it falling to the ground to become a meal for the hyena. Satisfied with her effort, Fig looked around for any other threats on the ground or in the air.
As she surveyed her Queendom, Fig’s focused stare took in the beauty of the Maasai Mara as it stretched out 360 degrees around her lofty throne.
Finally, satisfied that all was well in her world, Fig stretched out on a limb enjoying the morning sun, leaving me with over 500 images stored on 3 cameras and memories to last a lifetime.
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One of my photos of the leopards Fig and Figlet cover both sides of this 18x18” throw pillow, with a linen-feel polyester fabric case that is machine-washable.