Leopard

[Richprins]

Have sent on...

The carcass may have swollen a bit as decay sets in, making it look fatter than it probably was?

Maggot activity seems to be taking place in the mouth and other areas...

This can happen quite fast, depending on climatic factors!

Other predators don't necessarily eat predator carcasses, although vultures have no problem!

Was this in Kruger?

[Flutterby]

Yes it was.

[Richprins]

These pics were posted on the Kruger National Park - Best Place on Earth FB page by Marga Stevens.

Anyway, got a reply from a Hunter mate:

Quite strange yes. It is obvious that the leopard died on the site of
the confontation. I can only think that one of the quills hit an
artery and the cat bled out. No excessive blood stain around the body
though. Leopards skulls are not the hardest, and a quill could have
entered the brain cavity, but can't see a quill that has done that.

[Flutterby]

Tx RP.

[Richprins]

Pleasure!

Dr Joubert also replied, along much the same lines.

Hierdie is redelik merkwaardig. Daar moes redelik ernstige kontak gewees het aangesien dit duidelik is dat van die penne diep gepenetreer het en sou verhoed het dat die luiperd kon vreet en kon selfs die longe binnegedring het en die dood veroorsaak het. Dit open ‘n paar moontlikhede en een is dat die ystervark in ‘n gat in die luiperd ingetru het. Wat ookal, die konfrontasie was ernstig!

Basically it was a serious clash, possibly in a tunnel, deep penetration and possibly the lungs! The leopard would not have been able to eat. (He only saw the pics...not the thread)

[nan]

I think he suffered

[Richprins]

From an email about general Namibia sightings:

[nan]

splendid

could be also ar Kieliekrankie... if the Leopard want to go out during the day

[Richprins]

Namibia, nana...to avoid confusion!

Maybe Sossusvlei?

[nan]

Namibia, nana...to avoid confusion!

Maybe Sossusvlei?

I know... you wrote Namibia on you first post

but I don't know to use congugaison... need a good lesson
so could be... can be... should be.... or what else