Thinus Delport, recounting the experience, expresses the thrill of witnessing a mother leopard guiding her cubs just 6 km from Lower Sabie towards Crocodile Bridge. The excitement of this rare sighting is palpable in his words, highlighting the joy that comes from connecting with nature in its raw and unfiltered form.
On that early morning safari, Thinus and his daughters encountered a traffic jam of fellow nature enthusiasts, drawn to the sight of a pride of lions. However, amidst the excitement, a keen observer noticed the subtle movements in the thicket—a mother leopard and her tiny cubs.
Thinus shares his daughter’s perspective, “It was my daughter’s first visit to the Kruger, and she was the first to whip out her video camera. I’m glad she did because I would have been shaking so much from excitement, that the footage might have just been ruined.”
The footage captures the mother’s meticulous approach as she crosses the road first, ensuring the coast is clear, before returning to encourage her cubs to follow suit. This extraordinary display of maternal instinct and the vulnerability of young life in the wild is a rarity even for seasoned Kruger visitors.
In a world where wildlife faces numerous threats, this heartwarming scene serves as a reminder of the magic that unfolds when humans patiently observe and respect the natural behaviors of animals. As the leopard mother guides her cubs to safety, it echoes the importance of protecting and preserving the wilderness, allowing these majestic creatures to roam freely in their ancestral homes.