Ku-vona
He cautiously observes the tree branches above as his mother prepares to carry their kill up to safety.
Ku Vona means "to see" in Tsonga.
The chirping had stopped. As the curtain of darkness fell, the leopards arrived, dragging their kill to a chosen tree. The younger male had reached the base a minute earlier and waited for his mother as she lugged the buck to the same spot. He intently watched her reach the base next to him, place the kill down, and scan the branches above. Satisfied the timing was right, she gripped the buck once again and coiled into a leap, clambering upwards as every muscle of her sinewy body strained, allowing her to reach the first major branch halfway up the trunk. All the while, he kept still, his eyes following her intently upwards as she turned once again and continued on her journey towards the top. As she reached the uppermost canopy, she carefully hooked their catch in a well-chosen branch fork in the uppermost section of the thicker branches. Her wealth of experience had taught her where to secure her kill, and now she was teaching him this important lesson for his future when he would soon be finally alone in the bush.
In the heart of Africa's wilderness, a realm that comes alive under the cover of darkness, the African Leopards emerge as enigmatic figures as dusk arrives. These majestic creatures mostly live in solitude, seeking refuge amidst the branches of trees to evade the watchful eyes of fellow predators that lurk in the shadows. Their gastronomic preferences are as adaptable as the shifting winds of the savannah. From small mammals to the stately gait of ungulates, from reptiles to the graceful soar of birds, and in rare moments, even the minuscule world of insects becomes their potential nourishment. In the presence of rivals vying for sustenance, a unique instinct takes hold: Leopards are adept at concealing their hunted prizes beneath lush foliage or finding sanctuary in tree branches. With sinewy muscles and specially evolved shoulder blades, they ascend to impressive heights, proving themselves as nimble acrobats of the canopy.
Yet the African Leopard, a living embodiment of grace and strength, finds itself ensnared in the fragile threads of its own ecosystem. The very landscape that bore witness to their ancestral freedom to move about now faces the harsh realities of human-induced changes. Habitat loss, like an insidious force, encroaches on their ancient domain, fragmenting the familiar tapestry of wilderness. The illegal trade in wildlife now thrives, casting a dark shadow upon these magnificent creatures as their pelts, coveted treasures in forbidden markets, dangle as trophies or adorn ceremonial rituals, and their remains are used for medicinal purposes.
These thoughts crossed my mind again and again as I observed this scene before me. The fading light cast a poetic ambiance upon the tableau. The image I captured here for me encapsulates the paradox of existence: beauty intertwined with vulnerability, innocence intermingled with the relentless march of extermination. The African Leopards, once untamed spirits of the savannah, now stand at a crossroads. Their future is uncertain and tightly bound to the hands of conservation. The moment now beckons for us to act, for their fate symbolises not only their own but also the destiny of the wild realm they inhabit.
RAW AFRICA COLLECTION
Welcome to Africa - the wise, the restless, the life giving.
This soulful land of dreamers gives rise to the underbelly of a beautiful gentle beat that is only heard by those who listen for it. This photographic journey explores, profiles and captures what I hope is the heart and soul of Africa's true wilderness kingdom. From its deep bush to its dry savannah and desert, Africa remains a place where life is represented by timeless vistas that are distilled into moments to treasure.
