Leopards make excellent photographic subjects, but they tend to stay hidden in the wild – when they’re not trying to EAT you.
Seriously, some subjects are best photographed in captivity or a controlled situation. This particular leopard is in a pretty large pen, but he gets fed daily. The experience can be unnerving -sitting in an open vehicle close enough to this animal that you can hear the sound of its feet hitting the ground when it jumps from a tree. The caretaker throws small chunks of meat, which the leopard catches, until eventually it grows impatient and starts coming toward the caretaker. Starting the engine makes him back off the first few times, but eventually the caretaker has to throw a ham-sized bone with meat, which the leopard takes back into the bush to enjoy in private. Show’s over!
