Wildlife

This was taken in 2023 and it is a very rare melanistic leopard we found in northern Kenya. It’s hard enough to find a leopard while out in safari, they are the hardest animal out of the big 5 to spot. Finding a particular individual is even tougher in a 40,000-acre place. Those who have photographed leopards before know, they are shy, and very elusive animals who are usually active during the night. Being able to get close enough to photograph one is quite difficult, not to mention you are fighting the terrain. They are usually found in a tree with lots of branches or walk around in the grass that goes over their heads. They are not a huge cat which makes them even harder to photograph. I knew the odds were stacked against me but I decided to go for it anyway. I heard good reports about this particular leopard Giza which made me think I had a chance. She is 1 of 6 known black leopards in the whole Laikipia region.

Just after dark one of the trucks spotted her coming down a hill, so we quickly rushed over to the area where she was. After we followed her for a bit we finally stopped as she was crouched down in the grass and ready to pounce on a dik dik we saw. Everyone dimmed their lights and shortly after we heard the dik dik cries. We quickly shined a light on where we thought she was and sure enough she had made the kill! Now that’s great and all but photographing it was hard as she was in some trees and some grass. We slowly angled the car as she continued to strangle the dik dik in the trees. Our truck hit a hole in the ground and our battery died. I thought that was it, we were going to blow this great opportunity. She started to turn towards our direction so I sat tight and got ready. I had the camera set really low almost to the ground. I was just hoping my guy with the light would light her properly and the focus would hit. I heard my guide whisper to me she’s coming our way and to get ready. By some stroke of luck, she walked right towards the camera making a nice pass just out of the grass. She even gave a little look (probably noticing the camera) and continued on her way! It was incredible! We were unable to keep following her as we’re still stuck in a hole with a dead battery but it didn’t matter, I think I came home with the shot I could have only dreamed of! I than got out of the car and helped push the car out of the hole and jump the battery. All in a night’s work!