Leopards Play

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

I love living in Africa. It's a beautiful continent, full of opportunity, sunshine, gorgeous people and then the most gorgeous wildlife.

While Flip and I were at the Lory Park Zoo, we had the magnificent opportunity to play with leopard cubs. I am nearly in tears as I am writing this, as I have never seen a leopard in the wild. And I have had my fair share of Kruger Park visits, and a trip to the Serengeti. 

Leopards are such graceful animals, but these cousins of the lions, tigers, and jaguars, are extremely shy and elusive in the wild. When not hunting in long grass in the savannahs, they like to hang out in trees, out of plain sight. These gorgeous animals are also near-endangered, as a result of farmers shooting them.



These eyes will stay with me for a long time.

Aren't they just beautiful?

Which wild animal would you like to pet someday?

29 comments:

twiggy@thedirtlife said...

are you freaking kidding me right now? this gives you "my life is amazing" points out the wazoo.

and by wazoo, i mean butt.

Sadie Dear said...

So neat!! I think I'd put a leopard right up at the top of animals I'd love to pet.

The Pink Growl said...

This is amazing Megan! I have tears in my eyes. I would DIE to do something like this. I love animals and I love would the chance to play with a wild leopard! How awesome!!

Lisamarie said...

Wow. Absolutely amazing. They are so beautiful. I cannot believe you were able to get up close and personal with the leopards. Were you nervous at all? Did the zoo workers give you instructions? I mean, you and Flip are awfully close to the leopards' faces.

When I was in Australia, I was able to hold a koala bear. I was a tad bit nervous. If I held the leopard, I would want to squueze his neck and kiss him! Or at least squeeze his baby legs. Surely I would be mauled. Although... it looks like Flip is essentially choking out the leopard he is holding and I assume Flip was not mauled. So maybe I would be okay.

Please send more pictures about your life in Africa. I am dying DYING to see.

Christi Lynn said...

oh my!!! what an amazing experience. I am definitely jealous.

Christie@EyesOnSparrow said...

oh my goodness, Megan! Just thinking about doing that makes me want to cry. What an incredible experience. adorable pictures, too.

Rachel said...

I'm WILDLY jealous! Thats so amazing!

Naomi said...

What a gorgeous creature!

Chloƫ, Wardrobe Quarry said...

So so beautiful. How could anyone shoot one, that makes me sad.

Wardrobe Quarry

Jillian said...

Oh wow! What beautiful creatures. I'll keep my distance though. I think I'd be too chicken to cozy up with them like that! Maybe I'd give it a quick pet...but that's it!

Mia said...

hello honey! I have giveaway on my blog! Come and join!

and maybe we could follow each other? kisses

moonlightdreams-miadra.blogspot.com

A and B said...

Such beautiful creatures!

helen said...

so amazing that you got to do this!!!! how did you get such an opportunity?

btw, thank you for stopping by. you have such a lovely blog!!!

Jamie said...

Wow. That is awesome. Those eyes!

tini-tani said...

Hello! Great blog! The last post is very interesting and beautiful! Let's follow each other, if you agree, then let me know!)))

rooth said...

Wow, I can't believe you got to play with them - that's awesome!

pretty little things said...

thanks for the sweet comments on my blog! would you like to follow each other?

allthingsprettyandlittle.blogspot.com

emily g. said...

that is freakin awesome!! They are beautiful. I think I'd have to go for petting a Panda. I've pet a red panda before, but every time I see a normal panda I just go all baby talk on it and wanna cuddle it!

Amy G said...

Oh my goodness melt my heart! I am so jealous of you right now! I just love animals and the zoo :) I have a membership to the zoo here in Houston, TX

Amanda said...

I am so jealous that you got to do this! My dream is to go to China to play and meet Giant Pandas. Growing up, I was called "Amanda Panda" and always have had a growing collection of giant pandas.

Unknown said...

Wow i'm so jealous! Those leopards are beautiful.

Test said...

Such beautiful animals!

Brie Bemis @ Sophistifunk said...

so amazing! just stumbled on your blog and love it :)

xx brie
www.sophistifunkblog.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Amazing photos.. I've never been that close to a wild animal, but would love to someday. I've always had this cute feel about elephants, they're like my "lucky charms." I've never seen one in real life, so that would be great experience. :)

Thank you for your lovely comment the other day. Stop by anytime again / let's stay in touch and follow! :)

Satu
Indie by heart

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for your comment, you are so sweet. I don't really follow a diet - I just try and live by a little of what you fancy does you good!! This post is amazing, I can't believe you got so close to those gorgeous leopards - very jealous! xx

http://monstermagpie.blogspot.com/

Johanna said...

Wow...these are crazy awesome pics. You're a brave girl!

CC said...

Wow! Such a gorgeous animal! I've played with baby tigers, lions and wolf cubs, but never a leopard. So beautiful. ;)

Dana Fox said...

awww!! i would LOVE to do this!! you are lucky :)
xo dana
thewonderforest.com

Gloria said...

It completely boggles my mind why people would want to kill such magnificent creatures. I can't believe you got to cuddle with them!

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