A mother leopard helps her cubs cross a busy road in the middle of the Kruger National Park. Their anxiousness and fear makes it harder than it should be.
64-year-old, Thinus Delport, had the opportunity to see this incredible sighting of a mother leopard and her two very tiny cubs crossing a road 6km from Lower Sabie towards Crocodile Bridge. Thinus tells LatestSightings.com of the excitement to have been able to witness such a rare sighting
There’s nothing quite like witnessing the magic of nature up close. Particularly the big cats. Most visitors to the Kruger National Park come with the hope of seeing the famous Big Five. The leopard, being the most elusive of the five, is often the one few get to see.
“We came across a bunch of cars stopped after driving for many hours without success. Immediately, we thought perhaps this was our moment. We had no idea it was! A mother leopard was crossing the road, and it looked as if she was teaching her cubs to be fearless and cross with her.”
“The cubs were extremely young and afraid. They were nervous and froze when their mother stepped away from them. It was a heartwarming moment to see the mother coaxing her little ones to follow in her footsteps.”
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Leopard cubs are known for being quite timid and shy. They rely heavily on their mother for protection and guidance during the early stages of their lives. As they grow older and become more independent, they start to develop their own personalities and skills. But for now, these little ones were still learning the ropes, and it was adorable to watch.
“The mother would go ahead and come back each time the cubs stopped. She would then nudge them along. Trying to instill confidence in the little feet to walk. It almost seemed as if they would never cross.”
“Despite their nerves, the cubs eventually summoned up the courage to follow their mother. And boy, was it a proud moment! They crossed the road with confidence, their little tails held high in the air. It was a successful and happy ending to a heartwarming moment”
“The mother led the way, and the 2 cubs disappeared into the undergrowth. The camouflage that leopards possess never fails to amaze me. Just like that, they were gone. Hopefully now with a little more courage than before.”
