THE PREDATORS

"Our strongest may not live the longest,

and our weakest may outlive us all"

(Lopez-Espina, 2018)


They take each step with undivided focus and ultimate precision. Their silent approach is seldomly detected as they move closer and closer. The unexpected prey rarely perceives their presence, and yet, the predator’s magnificent hunting skills are frequently unproductive.


Predators come in all sizes and with unique abilities. Big cats aren’t as proficient as we give them credit. A lion’s killer reputation is a bit mythical if we contemplate their seventy-five percent failure rate. Quite the opposite is the endangered African wild dog. Their incredible teamwork and brilliant strategies yield the highest success of any predator.  However, if we rate these hunters by sheer strength for their weight, the leopard always gets my vote.

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AF-M-101         Lion On The Move, Phinda Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-09         Young Cheetah On Mound, Phinda Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-04         Lion Pride Drinking, Phinda Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-70         African Wild Dog, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
AF-M-100         Leopard Walking, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-12         Lion On The Move, Londolozi Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-59         Lioness Resting, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-101         Cheetah Hiding, Mala Mala Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-117         African Wild Dog, Okonjima Game Reserve, Namibia
AF-M-122         Lioness Drinking, Mala Mala Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-13         Leopard, Londolozi Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-07         Lioness Walking, Masai Mara, Kenya
AF-M-62         Young Lion, Sabi Sabi Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-71         African Wild Dog, Moremi Private Game Reserve, Botswana
AF-M-03         Cheetahs Grooming, Londolozi Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-121         Lioness Walking, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-52         Leopard On Tree, Samburu National Reserve, Kenya
AF-M-01         Serval, Kruger National Park, South Africa
AF-M-72         African Wild Dog, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
AF-M-53         Seated Leopard, Londolozi Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-70         Cheetah On Tree, Phinda Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-61         Young Lion Resting, Kruger NP, South Africa
AF-M-06         Leopard Jumping From Tree, Londolozi Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-08         Cheetah Mom With Youngster, Sabi Sabi Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-11         Lion Resting, Phinda Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-122         Cheetah, Mala Mala Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-57         Resting Lioness, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-13         Male Lion Walking, Londolozi Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-111         Cheetah Relaxing, Phinda Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-15         Lioness Hunting, Londolozi Private Reserve, South Africa
AF-M-105         African Wild Dog At Waterhole, Okonjima Game Reserve, Namibia
AF-M-51         Leopard, Londolozi Private Reserve, South Africa