LEOPARD
Leopard Holidays
Leopards are one of the prize sightings on a safari. Stealthy and elusive, they are also surprisingly well camouflaged. The twitch of a tail may be the only give-away to a leopard resting in the branches of a tree.
The leopard has the most widespread distribution of all the cats and can be found in India, Africa, China, Siberia and Korea.
Leopards are generalist predators and are able to live in any habitat where there is sufficient cover and prey, including open savannah, forests, jungles, cold mountainous regions and even on the outskirts of urban areas.
Leopards lead a solitary lifestyle. Males inhabit territories of 5 to 40 square km, which may overlap with the territories of several females. They are very defensive of their territory and urinate around the boundaries of their territories to warn off intruders. They are most active between sunset and sunrise.
Leopards often take their kills up into the safety of tree branches, to avoid the attention of hyenas and lions. They are incredibly strong and are capable of lifting carcasses three times their own body weight, placing them on branches over 6m high. There have been several reports of leopards hauling young giraffes into trees.
They will kill small competitors such as jackals and wild cats; and the cubs of lions, cheetahs and hyenas.
LEOPARD TRIPS
- An opportunity to get involved in a park management scheme
- 'Backstage' access to conservation projects local experts
- Visit three national parks in the forests of central India
- Visit local communities and view wildlife from elephant-back
PRICE: £3570
DATES: 15/02/2009, 15/03/2009, 14/11/2009
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- A genuine insight into Maasai culture and their wildlife
- An indepth understanding between communities and wildlife
- The best wildlife habitat in Africa with the 'Big Five'
- Learn new wildlife, bush and survival skills
PRICE: From £2225 per person including flights from UK
DATES: 14/03/2009, 23/05/2009, 20/06/2009, 15/08/2009, 12/09/2009
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- Led by world renowned naturalist and BBC film maker
- Areas visited offer an excellent chance of seeing 'Big 5'
- Experience huge herds of wildebeest calving in Serengeti
- Excellent predator concentration and chance to study animals
PRICE: £5'225
DATES: 06/02/2009
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- A remarkable opportunity to track and study lions
- Gain understanding of the work carried out by WildCRU
- Benefit from specialist knowledge of professional researcher
- This highly personal group trip carries a max of only 6
PRICE: From £3,649 per person sharing
DATES: 13/08/2009, 17/09/2009
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