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Having been around wild leopards in Africa, and worked around nearly all the big cats - leopards scare me the most. A tiger or lion can be confused by unexpecte

Having been around wild leopards in Africa, and worked around nearly all the big cats - leopards scare me the most. A tiger or lion can be confused by unexpected behavior which can delay or slow an attack. Leopards are the most single-minded predator I've ever seen in action and the only equivalent I can think of is a great white shark. Leopards are relentless, ferocious and deadly. I suspect Mr. Ackley's encounter was with a young or sick leopard, or perhaps the tale is exaggerated. An experienced adult would have dispatched with him in seconds.

colordrops 5y ago
He did mention that he shot it twice before it reached him.
technothrasher 5y ago
I've very much enjoyed watching lions and cheetahs do their thing in Africa, but only the leopards fill me with awe whenever I see them. They are truly magnificent and fascinating creatures. Here's my favorite shot I took of a gorgeous young lady just outside the Sabi Sands game reserve in South Africa: http://www.skeptical.org/leopardrock.jpg http://www.skeptical.org/leopardrock.jpg
- jmnicolas 5y ago
  Superb photo! Can you tell it's a lady from this photo or you had a glimpse of her from behind?
  - technothrasher 5y ago
    No, she was well known to the guides I was with, and we'd been following her for a while before she got up on that termite mound. I was lucky to get that shot, as she was being harassed by a hyena who didn't want her around, and she only sat down there for about a minute.
littlestymaar 5y ago
> I suspect Mr. Ackley's encounter was with a young or sick leopard, or perhaps the tale is exaggerated. An experienced adult would have dispatched with him in seconds. It looks that he sort of agrees with you, except it was a injured leopard and he was the one who injured her earlier. From the story: > As I looked at her later I came to the conclusion that what had saved me was the first shot I had fired when she went into the bush. It had hit her right hind foot. I think it was this broken foot which threw out the aim of her spring and made her get my arm instead of my throat
Lordarminius 5y ago
It was already wounded, he was a seasoned outdoors man and hunter, it was his lucky day. The combination of factors enabled him prevail.
mongol 5y ago
Polar bear is also said to be very dangerous. Could it be similar?

colordrops 5y ago

He did mention that he shot it twice before it reached him.

technothrasher 5y ago

I've very much enjoyed watching lions and cheetahs do their thing in Africa, but only the leopards fill me with awe whenever I see them. They are truly magnificent and fascinating creatures. Here's my favorite shot I took of a gorgeous young lady just outside the Sabi Sands game reserve in South Africa: http://www.skeptical.org/leopardrock.jpg http://www.skeptical.org/leopardrock.jpg

jmnicolas 5y ago
Superb photo! Can you tell it's a lady from this photo or you had a glimpse of her from behind?
- technothrasher 5y ago
  No, she was well known to the guides I was with, and we'd been following her for a while before she got up on that termite mound. I was lucky to get that shot, as she was being harassed by a hyena who didn't want her around, and she only sat down there for about a minute.

littlestymaar 5y ago

> I suspect Mr. Ackley's encounter was with a young or sick leopard, or perhaps the tale is exaggerated. An experienced adult would have dispatched with him in seconds. It looks that he sort of agrees with you, except it was a injured leopard and he was the one who injured her earlier. From the story: > As I looked at her later I came to the conclusion that what had saved me was the first shot I had fired when she went into the bush. It had hit her right hind foot. I think it was this broken foot which threw out the aim of her spring and made her get my arm instead of my throat

Lordarminius 5y ago

It was already wounded, he was a seasoned outdoors man and hunter, it was his lucky day. The combination of factors enabled him prevail.

mongol 5y ago

Polar bear is also said to be very dangerous. Could it be similar?