Mfundo witnessed the teamwork of two porcupine parents stave off the vehement attacks of a stealthy leopard to protect two little porcupines which were in their care.
The leopard put up quite a fight but Mom and Dad porcupine used skilled footwork and strategic placement to surround their two babies with a buffering of sharp spines and quills so that the leopard could not get near to them.
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A sighting to remember
Mfundo, who witnessed the whole sighting on foot, explained that as guide in the Kruger National Park, he had had the privilege of witnessing some incredible wildlife sightings over the years.
“However, one particular experience stands out. I was preparing to take a group of guests on a bush walk,” he said. “We had just left Crocodile Bridge Rest Camp when one of my guests informed me of a leopard that had been seen in the area earlier that morning. With a slight bit of anticipation, we headed in that direction.”
However, after the group had searched for the leopard for a short while, without luck, they decided it was best to leave the leopard and instead prepare for their morning walk.
“I stopped the vehicle on the roadside and informed the guests that it was safe for them to disembark from the vehicle. Whilst I was conducting the pre-trail brief on the safety and procedures of the walk, a deep sound echoed from the culvert that was a few meters from us.”
The sound had been made by some porcupines on the road ahead. Porcupines are for the most part silent animals, however they might give a deep, resonant grunt in the event of danger.

Family of porcupines – and a leopard – appear on the road
“On the road in front of me, a porcupine mother emerged from the culvert with two youngsters. They were shortly followed by the male porcupine. Then a leopard!” said Mfundo.
Mfundo was amazed by the presence of the animals but knew best to hurry his guest to the safety of the vehicle, as he watched on in awe.

The porcupines found in the Kruger National Park, called the Cape Porcupine, have both spines and quills. The main difference between quills and spines is their length and thickness. Spines can be up to 50cm long, and quills, of up to 30cm long. These are located on their rear and sides.
The leopard which had so confidently strode towards the porcupines was now confronted by a wall of spines and quills. Mom and Dad porcupine had huddled together and turned their backs on the predator, so that he was confronted by a prickly wall of defense.

Porcupines can raise their black-and-white crest of quills and spines whenever necessary. When they do so, it makes them appear larger and more menacing to deter potential threats.
The leopard, however, wasn’t so easily repelled.
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A prickly showdown ensues
“At first, I thought the leopard would quickly overpower the porcupines. As I watched the scene unfold, I was in awe of their determination and bravery,” said Mfundo.

Each time the leopard prepared to pounce and swipe at its desired prey, the porcupines would turn their backs and raise their spines and quills.
There was no way this leopard would get close to their little ones if they had anything to do with it.

When a swipe with his paw failed to produce results, the leopard moved to the other side of the porcupines, which turned with him, so that their spines and quills now faced the opposite direction. All the while, the two little porcupines behind them diligently hid behind their parents.
The family of porcupines’ response to the leopard seemed to be synchronised. Mom and Dad moved together as a protective wall, and the babies scuttled into their parents’ protective covering, instinctively predicting with impressive accuracy which way their parents would move and acting accordingly.
“The parents made sure that the two youngsters were always in the middle and out of reach of the leopard. After a few minutes, the leopard eventually gave up and retreated into the bush. The porcupine family was able to continue on their way, safe and unharmed.”

At one point, the leopard paused a moment to lick his wounds. This attack was not without its cost and no doubt, attempting to catch such prickly prey was starting to take its toll.

The commotion continued with some dramatic sound effects.

At one point, the leopard was hidden from view for a few moments, with the two babies seen clearly taking cover behind Mom and Dad. What was evident was that this family was operating as a team and this team mindset and effort succeeded in keeping the leopard at bay.

Porcupine teamwork pays off
Eventually, the determined predator decided to give up; perhaps realising that a porcupine wasn’t easy prey after all.
The family of porcupines was able to safely move on; unscathed by the interaction. Perhaps in the bushes nearby, the leopard which had fled the scene, remained a few moment to attend to more wounds.
Porcupine hunting is no easy feat and only the most experienced leopards can pull off such an accomplishment without being injured.