THE HUNTING LEOPARD 



In South. Africa this animal, in the past, was 

 partial to the grass-covered plains, especially those 

 parts covered with scattered bush, and avoided 

 dense forests and damp localities. This would 

 naturally be so, for its mode of capturing its prey 

 is to creep up as near to it as possible, and make a 

 sudden rush, for the Chita is the fleetest of all ani- 

 mals for short distances of about five hundred yards. 

 If it should succeed in stealing up within a hundred 

 yards or so of an antelope out on the grassy veld, 

 there would be little or no hope of escape for the 

 creature, for the Chita, travelling at twice the speed 

 of the buck, would soon come abreast of it, and, 

 seizing it by the throat, would at once drag it to 

 the ground. Should it fail in its first rush, it gives 

 up the chase, knowing full well that continued pur- 

 suit would be hopeless. 



In many parts of South Africa, where in the past 

 Hunting Leopards were common, they have entirely 

 vanished, and in other parts are more or less rare, 

 having so far avoided extermination by taking 

 refuge in the forests and secluded wooded kloofs. 

 In favourable localities in the upper parts of South 

 Africa where there is ample cover, particularly in 

 the Kalahari and other places where the hunter 

 seldom ventures, the Hunting Leopard is stiU com- 

 paratively common. In Southern Rhodesia they are 

 so numerous that they do a considerable amount of 

 harm by harrying the flocks and herds of the pioneer 

 farmers. Rewards are offered by the Government 



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