The Big Cats are quickly becoming a favourite of mine to photograph. I’m talking specifically about the lion, cheetah and leopard. All are endemic to both Botswana and South Africa, as well as throughout the continent. Only the cheetah is found outside of Africa where a small although drastically reduced population resides in Iran. Unfortunately, the cheetah and lion populations have suffered heavily as a result of poaching, habitat loss and human encroachment in much of Africa, such that there are increasing fears of their long-term survival. It is magnificent to just sit and watch these Big Cats. Although largely inactive during the day (lions can sleep for up to 20 hours per day), they are still a wonder to watch owing to their size and beautiful fur patterns. The excitement only builds when they awaken and begin to move in search of prey, culminating in a hunt that can be over in mere seconds.
Unlike many of their prey, you can also see a very distinct personality in the face of each of cat. More than once now have I felt overwhelmed, due to a piercing eye-to-eye stare with a fully mature Bit Cat sitting a mere 5 metres away (whilst in an open-top Landcruiser), or from a male lion’s roar that penetrates the skin and makes your entire body vibrate. The prospect of a leopard attack at night is real and, despite coming from a land of dangerous and deadly animals, provides perhaps my only true fear. But it’s worth it.
Here is a short portfolio of some of my favourite Big Cat photos (sans Leopard), taken from across Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Kenya.
