Today’s post is a story as told by Cees Bakker of a leopard he spotted at Masorini Archeological Site.
Masorini Archeological site found on the H9, 12km from Phalaborwa Gate along the road to Letaba. The site was inhabitated by the Sotho speaking BaPhalaborwa people during the 1800’s. Dome shaped clay furnaces were found on site which were once used to smelt the iron ore.
The huts which belonged to the BaPhalaborwa people have been reconstructed, you will find a site museum and picnic area at the foot of the hill, and guided tours to the top where the reconstructed huts and furnace can be seen.
On a quiet Thursday morning after not seeing a lot in the park Cees decided to stop at Masorini for a toilet break. As soon as he and his wife left the car they spotted a leopard on the concrete of the male toilet facility.
Cees screamed for his wife telling her that there was a leopard, his wife Corina asked him where, which he then proceeded to tell her where the leopard was, after Corina was able to see the leopard, the cat disappeared behind the facility.
He thought of going after it to try get a few pictures but remembered that it probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do. When he started the car the spotted the leopard walking from the opposite side of which he last saw the cat.
The leopard proceeded by walking towards the main road before she crossed the road and went to the waterhole for a drink.
Cees was happy that he spotted a leopard and that he actually spotted it before he headed to the toilet.
A few days after Cees saw this leopard, Sanparks decided to relocate this leopard, because she was always seen spending time at the picnic site, the female leopard called Tsira had become too relaxed with the visitors at Masorini, probably because people that visted the site were feeding her. This would be a threat for visitors and the staff at the picnic site because she is still a wild animal. She was darted and moved to a quiet area on the Olifants river.
Read our post of our top 5 roads for spotting leopards in the Kruger.