RIP Fig
“It’s your light, that lights the world.” — Rumi
I am sad to report that beautiful Fig, my favourite leopard was killed by two male lions March 5th. Leopards and lions do not get along. I don’t know the details of what happened, but if she was ambushed by two mature lions, Fig would have little chance of surviving.
Fig was thirteen years old. Her main territory was the Olare Motorogi Conservancy adjacent to the Maasai Mara. She successfully raised four cubs in her lifetime: a son Olare, and daughters Figlet, Furaha and her last cub Faulu.
Fig and Figlet 2018
I have over 1800 photos of Fig. I've written many Fig stories in my blog, including last week's post "How to Spot a Leopard". My most memorable encounter was in 2018 when Fig and I locked eyes as she emerged from under our truck.
Known as Queen Fig, she was a wonderful ambassador for her species. Fig was a legend. Photos of her will continue to inspire others to protect wildlife and wild spaces so her offspring and their offspring can continue to live wild.
RIP Fig, you will be missed but not forgotten.
In honour of Fig, all notecards, pillows and Fine Art Prints of Fig are 20% off this month (the discount is automatically applied on checkout). Proceeds from sales will be donated to Wildlife Direct, a Kenyan NGO that is educating and empowering Kenyan children by bringing them to Kenya’s national parks and reserves and helping to create a generation of Wildlife Warriors in their own communities, addressing conservation and human-wildlife conflict issues.
