The Killer Leopard at Nagarahole Forest

05 July 2013

The Killer Leopard at Nagarahole Forest

After a disappointment to capture a predator in my previous trip to Nagarahole, this trip was my lifetime memorable trip. Because it was my first time experience of sighting and photographing a Leopard this close.

It was a two day trip to Nagarahole forest with my friend. First day morning when we reached Nagarahole forest we got disappointed cause the safari was closed due to heavy rain. This was the news which I was not ready to hear at that point of time, as I was there to capture wildlife in the wet season to get some unique shots of animals in rain. We did not know what to do, so we decided to move towards Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) the forest is attached to Nagarahole forest. By the time we reached Tholpetty it was 9:45 am and the safari here was closed, disappointment again. The next safari was at 3:00 pm.

We wanted to spend sometime around till the next safari time, so we decided to travel to Kabani elephant camp and to do some sighting... All the elephants in the camp was sent out for gracing... so there were no elephants in the camp, disappointment again.

Wile returning back to Kerla we spotted this young Tusker. I could understand that he was felling discomfort as we were close to him... Once he become doing crazy dance.. I pulled my car off.. and moved further :).

We had our midday meal and reached Tholpetty, took a jeep safari and as usual we were very curious trying to spot some animals, but we had no luck.....again disappointment!!!

Some of the local kids playing in jungle were very close to wild animals.

At one stage we thought of packing and traveling back to home town, but I wanted to try my luck by doing one more safari, so we stayed a night there.

Next day morning we wanted to do the very first safari... the strategy here was very simple... we know that animals in the forest would have not been disturbed over the night so as planned we took the first jeep in to the jungle. And after traveling for few minutes in the jungle we spotted some foot prints. Our curiosity increased after spotting those foot prints of a predator.

It was a full drama which took place in the Nagarahole/Tholpetty (Kerala) forest. We could see all the spotted deers looking at one direction and footprints of a predator... for few seconds we heard all the deers calling... we know that something is happening there.... as we reached little closer we could see a Leopard holding the neck of its prey by laying on the ground. The deer had fully given-up the fight, we could see its last movements and last breath.

Click the picture have a detailed look

Only after the Leopard confirming it's kill it left the place as it was disturbed by another safari vehicle approaching...

Click the picture have a detailed look

End of the day it is nature and its wildlife.............. :)

Two of the pictures are submitted to National Geographic Photo Content 2013

The Killer Look

Caption: This was photographed in the Nagarahole forest, Karnataka. The hungry Leopard hunted a spotted deer for it's meal.
Photo Location: Nagarahole Forest
Keywords: Leopard, Wildlife, Nagarahole, Karnataka, India
Category: Spontaneous Moments
Date Paid: June 25, 2013