Look what the cat dragged in!

[Marc Mol]

An 8mth old male leopard cub drags a Caracal his mum killed, to a tree which he attempted to hoist up.
To those here that have travelled/reside East/Sth Africa, might just know that to see a Caracal is quite special, but to find a Leopard with a Caracal kill let alone a cub is just so rare and unique is something that I'm still in awe.
Up until recently, conditions had been extremely dry (much more than "normal") and Leopards (like Lions) are opportunistic if anything and whilst my guide and I are 99% certain Mum killed this Caracal, they are not something they specifically target.
Early next morning we found the cub up this tree still dining on the male Caracal. I did feel quite sad that such a majestic cat had lost it's life.....the circle of life indeed. However to document this in images and 4k video, I felt very extremely fortunate and privileged.
A once in a lifetime sighting!

I'm back here again next week for calving season with a much greener habitat full of the migration.........can't wait.

Eastern Serengeti- TZ.

Nikon Z9
Nikkor Z70-200 f/2.8
f/2.8
1/500s
ISO2000@ 200mm.

Cheers
Marc

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi Marc .. what a story and what a image to proof that unbelievable happening right in front of yours , you have been a lucky dude !!
Just a mindblowing thing !!!

TFS Andreas

[Gabriela Plesea]

Hello Marc,

Indeed such a privilege to witness a scene like this, just amazing. What can I say, must admit I have mixed feelings viewing, sad for the caracal and happy for the leopard...

Wish you had a bit more SS and a tad more DoF but I gather you had no time to play around with the settings...a once in a lifetime sighting and you were there to see and experience the moment, thank you so much for sharing with us!

Kind regards,

[Jonathan Ashton]

Such a unique image well caught.

[Marc Mol]

Thanks for the kind words, greatly appreciated.

Wish you had a bit more SS and a tad more DoF but I gather you had no time to play around with the settings...a once in a lifetime sighting

Can't disagree Gabriela, the light was diminishing fast, I find 1/500s a reasonable compromise for situations such as these.