Tag: South Africa

‘Leopard under the car’; incredible encounter caught on video

Footage captured in South Africa reveals a leopard that is not the least bit deterred by the presence of a safari vehicle.

A guide in South Africa has captured rare footage showing a leopard traveling directly beneath his group’s safari vehicle to avoid altering its course.

“This leopard decided to pass not around, but right underneath us!” Marlon du Toit exclaimed last week via Instagram. “Unbelievable!”

Tourists express disbelief as the stealthy feline disappears briefly beneath the vehicle before emerging on the other side, ignoring their presence.

“Under the car…” astonished guests mutter, one after another.

The encounter occurred in Mala Mala Game Reserve, which is sandwiched between Kruger National Park and the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.

Du Toit explained that wild animals in Mala Mala are accustomed to vehicles and their occupants, as long as occupants remain on the vehicles and maintain their composure.

“It’s also well known that smart, habituated leopards will use the cars and the sounds they make during hunts, to get closer to prey,” du Toit stated.

The guide added, half-jokingly: “Leopards that are so at ease with Mala Mala game viewers that they don’t mind going underneath, instead of around.”

Lions pass within feet of safari tourists – why don’t they attack?

Footage from South Africa shows the nervous reaction of the man closest to the lions. The tour operator provided a reasonable explanation.

Safari tourists recently observed a pride of lions strolling just yards past their open-topped vehicle, and footage of the encounter begs the question:

Why don’t lions attack people who are so close and exposed when they would almost certainly become confrontational if the same people were to exit the vehicle?

The footage was captured by Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge in South Africa. Note the reaction of Moses, sitting closest to the lions, after being cautioned that the lions were approaching.

While Moses appears nervous, he intentionally avoids direct eye contact with the lions to lessen the chance of an adverse reaction.

“A captivating moment as the Nkuhuma pride gracefully strolled past Deon, Moses, and our guests in perfect visibility,” Chitwa Chita stated via social media. “Witnessing the Nkuhuma pride so often has been the greatest pleasure!”

The obvious question was posed by Facebook follower Jason Mwanza: “Admin, why is it lions don’t attack tourist in open vehicles?”

Chitwa Chitwa offered the following response:

Lions generally do not attack tourists in open vehicles due to a few reasons:

1) Lack of Provocation: Lions typically do not see tourists in vehicles as prey or a threat unless provoked.

2) Unfamiliarity: Lions may not recognize the vehicles as prey due to their unfamiliarity with them.

3) Heightened Senses: Lions rely heavily on their senses, and the sights, sounds, and smells of the vehicles may confuse or deter them from attacking.

4) Association with Harmlessness: Lions may have learned through experience that vehicles do not pose a threat to them and are harmless.

5) Respect for Size and Noise: The size and noise of the vehicles may intimidate the lions, deterring them from attacking.

6) Conservation Regulations: In many wildlife reserves, rules and regulations are in place to ensure the safety of both tourists and animals, and vehicles are required to maintain a safe distance from the wildlife.

South Africa defender Fleurs killed in carjacking in Johannesburg

The 24-year-old represented his country at the Olympics in Japan in 2021

Luke Fleurs, a defender for South African power Kaizer Chiefs, was killed in a carjacking in Johannesburg, the club announced in a statement on Thursday.

“We are profoundly shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic and untimely passing of one of our players, Luke Fleurs,” the club said.

“The 24-year-old former youth international lost his life after being shot during a hijacking on Wednesday evening in Johannesburg. He was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to gunshot wounds.”

Police said the incident took place at a gas station, and no arrests had yet been made.

“While waiting to be served by the petrol attendant, he was confronted by two armed males,” police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo told reporters.

“The suspects pointed him with a firearm and took him out of his vehicle, then shot him once on the upper body.”

Fleurs moved to Kaizer Chiefs as a free agent in October, joining from SuperSport United. He had yet to make an appearance for the Premier Soccer League club.

He represented South Africa at various youth levels, and played for the country’s U-23 team at the Olympics in Japan in 2021. The defender also received one senior national team call-up in 2021, but did not make an appearance.

Elephant appears atop faulty cliff, leaving onlookers ‘petrified’

Video footage shows the beloved male elephant feeding atop a vertical river bank known to crumble after heavy rains.

A beloved male elephant left safari onlookers in awe and concerned for his safety recently when he appeared at the edge of a towering river bank to forage on vegetation.

“Mabula quite literally living on the edge,” Thula Thula Private Game Reserve, located in South Africa, described via social media. “We were all petrified watching Mabula so close to the edge of the bank on the Enseleni River which often crumbles in heavy rains.”

Among the top Facebook comments was this from Yvonne Moore: “Mabula be careful… You’re treading on dangerous terrain there.”

A Thula Thula Instagram follower commented: “Couldn’t breathe watching this.”

Mabula, part of a herd of seven elephants rescued years ago, is described by Thula Thula as “our entertainer” and certainly lived up to that billing on this day.

The reserve did not respond to inquiries by FTW Outdoors but it’s presumed that Mabula ultimately retreated safely from the bank.

The footage was credited to Kim Mcleod Photography.

With cub at creek’s edge, momma lion can’t resist playful shove

A South Africa-based photographer last week shared a clip showing a momma lion’s playful instincts kick as her cub sat at creek’s edge.

A South Africa-based photographer last week shared a clip showing a momma lion’s playful instincts kick as her cub sat at creek’s edge.

The footage, captured by Kagiso Magano, was shared Monday by Lion Lovers under the whimsical heading: “Mom!! Why did you do that?”

The cub was frisky and mom, resting with other lions visible across the creek, saw the perfect moment in which to join the fun. (Note the cub’s look of disbelief as it begins to tumble.)

Some followers described the moment as a life lesson while one simply observed, “Hahaha poor little cubbie. Splash!”

Neither version mentioned a location or the name of the lion pride.

Mighty lion versus tiny crab – which is the king of beasts?

Amusing footage captured at Mala Mala Game Reserve shows the lion backing away after the crab opened its claws in a battle posture.

MalaMala Game Reserve in South Africa on Thursday shared an amusing clip showing a lion’s wary encounter with a ferocious-looking crab.

The lion is curious at first; comfortable enough to inspect the crab while lounging on the dirt.

But when the crab spreads its claws in a battle posture, the lion wants no part of the crustacean and rises to back away.

Among the comments beneath Mala Mala’s post was this from a user named TCB: “It’s the size of the heart that counts.”

Another reply: “The King is a little wary.”

Lion attack on safari truck inspires warning: ‘Respect the locals’

Video footage shows the lion biting the vehicle and growling as an emphatic warning to back off.

A South Africa-based tour company has shared footage showing a lion biting a safari vehicle and growling as an emphatic warning for the intruders to back off.

Lucien Beaumont of Beaumont Adventures used the footage to remind anyone planning a safari to respect wild critters at all times.

“ALWAYS RESPECT THE LOCALS,” Beaumont exclaimed on Instagram. “Whilst on safari, always remember that the animals are not there for our viewing pleasure… we are merely visitors in their home environment!”

In the footage the backs slowly away while the lion, still agitated, turns its back and glances over its shoulder as if to see if its warning was heeded.

Reads a top comment: “Well said. This lion’s reaction needs to be shared. He is the boss and needs full respect. Too often one sees humans take advantage of their safety within their vehicle.”

The footage was shared via X by Lion Lovers, a page dedicated to lions in Africa, which stated: “Totally agree! Their home, their space, respect it!”

–Image courtesy of Lucien Beaumont

Watch: Elephant topples tree in show of ‘unparalleled strength’

Safari guests can be heard laughing in disbelief as the elephant easily uproots the tree in a South Africa game reserve.

Safari guests in South Africa watched in awe recently as an elephant uprooted and toppled a fairly large tree.

“Unparalleled strength. He made it look so easy,” Tim Prettejohn, a guide for Dulini Lodge, described via Instagram.

Prettejohn’s footage shows the elephant shoving with its head and pushing three times before the tree toppled to the ground. The safari guests can be heard laughing in disbelief.

Elephants are known to occasionally topple savanna trees in order to access their upper leaves. In fact, this type of browsing behavior is fairly common and has been described as destructive in parts of South Africa.

Dulini Lodge is within Sabi Sands Game Reserve adjacent to Kruger National Park.

Watch: Rhino shows lion that ‘size matters at the waterhole’

Footage from South Africa shows a lion being forced by the rhino to wait its turn before approaching for a drink.

When a small watering hole is occupied by a large rhinoceros, even a mighty lion must wait its turn before approaching for a drink.

The accompanying footage, captured this week at Mala Mala Game Reserve in South Africa, shows a thirsty lion walking toward a watering hole, only to be rebuffed by a rhino.

“Size matters at the waterhole,” Mala Mala stated via X.

The wary lion was compelled to circle widely behind the rhino and wait for the larger animal to leave before approaching to sip water.

Mala Mala Game Reserve shares an unfenced border with sprawling Kruger National Park and lies within Sabi Sands Game Reserve.

Large animal encounters are fairly common for guests on photo safaris.

Watch: Crocodile ‘displays’ massive catfish for safari guests

A safari company in South Africa has shared footage showing a Nile crocodile seemingly showing off its super-impressive catch of the day.

A safari company in South Africa has shared footage showing a Nile crocodile maneuvering out of water carrying an enormous fish. (Footage posted below.)

“A young Nile Crocodile surprised us by proudly displaying a massive catfish it had just caught,” Dulini Lodge explained via Instagram. “Fish constitute the primary part of any crocodile’s diet, and are especially vital as younger crocodiles grow and develop over the years.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dulini (@dulinilodge)

As viewers can see, the catfish appears motionless with wounds on its body before the crocodile slinks back into the water with its meal.

Nile crocodiles are apex predators in Africa and, besides fish, the ambush specialists prey on other reptiles, mammals, and birds.

They’re also implicated in the deaths of hundreds of humans annually.

Nile crocodiles, found in 26 African countries, measure to nearly 17 feet and can weigh more than 1,500 pounds.

Dulini Lodge is a luxury safari complex within Sabi Sands Game Reserve, adjacent to Kruger National Park.