Marka Mashele recorded this heartwarming sighting at MalaMala Game Reserve.
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Like all young animals, the little leopard had far too much energy for his own good, but Mom seemed happy enough to provide a soft place for him to fall!
Young Leopard Plays Zealously Beside His Mother
The mother and her cub were spotted in the shade of a relatively small tree. She was fairly sedentary and astute but remained vigilant of her surroundings. The cub, however, was a bundle of curiosity and energy.
The mother kept a watchful eye over him as he explored the bushveld in the vicinity around where he and his mom rested.
As all leopards do, he couldn’t resist a good tree. Leopards love to climb, and this passion for climbing begins at an early age. Much of their activity happens from within treetops.
They might observe and stalk desired prey from the cover and shade of tree foliage. They often drag their prey high into the treetops where they can feed on the fresh meat in peace, away from other predators that aren’t as skilled at climbing.
This leopard cub saw the tree as play equipment and prepared itself for an adventure in its branches.
Leopard Cub Starts To Climb Tree
He inspected the tree, studying its branches for a moment.
When satisfied with his observations, he then proceeded to climb.
The young leopard demonstrated remarkable agility for such a young thing. He scaled the trunk with ease.
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Unfortunately, the small tree wasn’t strong enough to carry his weight, and he soon came tumbling down.
This cycle repeated itself a few times, with the leopard climbing up and falling down.
The mother leopard didn’t seem too concerned, however. It is through this interactive play that cubs will learn invaluable life skills, such as hunting, socialising, and physical, tactile skills, like climbing. Today, a small tree… tomorrow, a great baobab.
Cub Tumbles Straight On Top Of His Mother
The leopard’s playfulness eventually did infringe on his mother’s peace. He became a little too confident in his climbing and again, came tumbling from the branches. This time, he fell straight onto Mom.
The mother, however, retained her composure despite the cub falling on top of her head. This was her cub, after all, and she was happy to be his soft place to fall.
Cub Finally Settles Down For Some Rest
Following his antics, it seemed his energy was eventually spent, and he was ready to settle down alongside Mom. He looked around, wide-eyed. Having the telltale sweetness of a young animal, it was easy to see why his mother had so easily forgiven him.
Cubs learn essential survival skills like hunting and climbing by observing their mother.
The cubs will nurse for about three months but may stay with their mother for up to 18 to 24 months, gradually becoming more independent.
This cub was still dependent on his mother and still had a few more things to learn from her before being ready to take on the world on his own.