This is the last image captured (12 hrs before her death) of a very special leopardess named Furaha which means Joy in Swahili. Lorenzo my guide and I stayed with Furaha for 7hrs (on the 29th Oct) and due to curfew had to leave her @ 7pm, there was clearly something wrong with her, but the change in her demeaner started only around 5pm, she was vomiting and disoriented, it was very sudden, and we had hoped she might improve by the morning. We drove back to where we left here first thing next morning, just beside her favourite tree to find her body, we both broke down and cried that this beautiful creature was now gone.......so terribly sad.
It appeared she died sometime before midnight. An autopsy by the vet from TANAPA (Tanzania National Parks Authority) whom we called straight away, was carried out that morning which revealed that she was NOT poisoned nor bitten by a snake, which were both our main concerns, nor had she recently given birth, which had been another concern as she appeared to be lactating, her thin body initially gave us that impression, so there was some small comfort that there were no cubs lost as well. Results of her death are still not fully known, other than her lungs, kidneys & liver had been damaged, a respiratory collapse the result. Her legacy will live on through her wonderful son Moyo who has inherited her wonderful spirit and relaxed disposition.
Over the period of my last 11 days in Ruaha, things were not quite the same.........something was gone. It was hard to drive past her tree and not get emotional.
We have both known her nearly all of her oh so short 6½ year life. She was probably the most relaxed and coolest leopard I've ever had the privilege to know.
The actual cause of death will never be really known due to TANAPA's limited resources, but it can almost be said it was a from natural causes.
Only the good die young...........RIP Furaha, the Queen of Ruaha.
HH from front pax seat, slight crop. curves. levels, TK adj's to B&W in ACR & PS CC'15.
Marc,deeply I share your sadness such a shame funds are so short one will never know cause. Marc,mate, head up it's utterly evident your love for her ,but her genes do live on ,that in it's self is a triumph.
Your image is very moving given the circumstances,but mate it is also stunning the interplay of light on her and the tree is just beautiful.
A lovely tribute to an amazing animal Marc both in image and words thanks for sharing her
Ahh mate I'm sorry for your loss
Hi Marc - A beautiful tribute to a special cat. Sorry to hear about her death but at least you were there and can take some solace in that fact. Often these big cats disappear with just a suspicion as to what may have happened to them. Looks like the light may have been a bit strong when you captured this image but you did well in controlling the highlights. I like the conversion and treatment as well as the negative space.
VERY VERY SPECIAL Mark. You write with a authenticity that proves a true love and real understanding of Africas wild !! Its a beautiful image that does a great job of visually portraying what you have written. RIP Furaha.