The chacma baboons had started moving away from the waterhole, which was nestled in a steep- sided gorge. Troop ‘elders’ led in a purposeful manner, while youngsters and some who had been resting in shady spots slowly followed suit. My colleague Charmaine and I followed, as many of the baboons settled around a rocky outcrop […]
Tag: leopards
“Its compelling exteriors hide a vicious secret. Its venom’s so powerful it can kill a human in 5 minutes.” World’s 10 most beautiful lethal killers
Some of the most ferocious predators in the world are also some of its most attractive animals – a marriage of stunning looks and lethal power, says Sheena Harvey. !0 most beautiful killers in the world Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) Nothing sums up majestic beauty and dangerous killer more than the Bengal tiger. Our spirits […]
It may look like a dog, but don’t be fooled – Africa’s most efficient killer, which can travel up to a staggering 72km/h, is neither a wolf nor a dog
Often overshadowed by lions, leopards and hyenas, the African wild dog is one of the continent’s most extraordinary predators. With its striking patchwork coat, oversized ears and remarkable teamwork, this endangered hunter boasts one of the highest success rates of any large carnivore on Earth Are African wild dogs wolves or dogs? African wild dogs […]
“It’s the size of a house cat, with all the charisma of rusty-red teddy bear…”
These tree-dwelling cuties are the original panda, having been described by scientists nearly 50 years before their black and white namesakes. They’re not actually even close relatives of the giant panda, belonging to their own unique family  (Ailuridae)  and sharing traits withracoons, weasels and skunks. How big are red pandas? Brilliantly adapted against the cold and for life in the […]
It looks like a cat, acts like a cat, but don’t be fooled – this is no cat… Discover Madagascar’s agile, stealthy, ferocious apex predator
The fossa is a fascinating and elusive carnivore native to the island of Madagascar. Despite its importance in Madagascar, the fossa remains relatively unknown outside of scientific circles. This is partly due to its secretive nature and the dense, remote forests it inhabits. Unfortunately, the fossa is currently classified as a vulnerable species, facing threats […]
Endangered West African leopards show signs of recovery, despite odds. ‘It’s a win’
It’s been difficult to monitor West African leopards in Benin’s Pendjari National Park: It’s a large wilderness area, situated within a hotspot of armed conflict. The park is among the last strongholds for this geographically distinct leopard population — but a recent study shared hopeful news. Leopard density in the park increased over a six-year period, according […]
This peculiar rodent is the size of a domestic cat and weirdly covered in bands of deep, rich reds and blues
Squirrels don’t come much bigger than the Malabar giant variety. Weighing four times as much as a grey squirrel and much bigger than the red squirrel, this robust rodent is about the size of a domestic cat. But it’s not the Malabar giant’s size that turns heads and drops jaws, but rather its colour scheme. Meet the rainbow […]
10 deadliest, most ruthless, savage primates on the planet – “Their hunting expeditions involve intelligence, cooperation and utterly brutal violence.”
Super-strong simians, menacing monkeys, apes with attitude and lethal lemurs – here’s our pick of the primates that kill… Deadliest primates on the planet Mandrill  This elusive inhabitant of equatorial African rainforests is the biggest of all monkeys and arguably the most beautiful. The 30kg males – three times the weight of females – […]