The Elusive Predators of Zululand

Most predators could be elusive and tough to seek out, however you solely should look in the best place on the proper time to get a glimpse of the predators of Zululand.

Listed here are a number of tricks to get you began:

African Wild Canines are diurnal hunters, and run lengthy distances to catch their prey. They’re most energetic throughout the early hours of the day and late within the afternoon when the bush is good and funky. Search for them whereas they’re on the hunt and also you may get fortunate, but it surely does imply that you’ll have to get up additional early!

Cheetahs, like Wild Canines, are additionally daytime hunters and like to be energetic when temperatures are cooler. They do, nevertheless, spend lots of time resting to preserve their vitality as their quick, excessive pace sprinting may be very exhausting. Search for them mendacity flat on the bottom below the shade of some timber on sizzling days.

Leopards are nocturnal animals and use their stealth to hunt their prey. This makes them much more tough to see, like many predators of Zululand. They’re typically shy and really properly camouflaged. They do, nevertheless, prefer to climb and can usually pull their kills up a tree to maintain it away from scavengers. Make sure you look out (and up) for these elusive cats, as they could be hiding within the timber. To extend your possibilities even additional, go on an evening drive, the place you may see one on the prowl.

African Wild Canines, Cheetahs and Leopards are three of the precedence species and predators of Zululand that Wildlife ACT displays every year. Be a part of our Endangered and Precedence Species Monitoring programme if you’re all in favour of becoming a member of us within the area.

Textual content and pictures by Wildlife ACT Precedence Species Screens on iMfolozi, Chris du Toit and Gareth Robinson