White Lions from South Africa

John Riggs recently sent me photos of white lions that he has been breeding in South Africa.  Truly a beautiful animal.

Once again evidence that economic demand produces all sorts of interesting abundance.  Who would ever imagine that someone would invest the serious money needed to produce a breeding population of white lions.

I guess as they say, seeing is believing.  Thanks to John for sending the photos of these beautiful animals.

If you are interested in learning more about John’s operation contact him at:

johnmriggs@gmail.com, tel: 27 78 004 2200.

Greg Rodriguez-Giant Tom Leopard

A few months ago I came across the photo of an exceptional Leopard harvested in Southern Africa.  The post highlighted the recovery of the Southern African Leopard and the size of the exceptional specimen.  As is often the case, the post generated its fair share of controversy  (see below).  Recently I came across the photo of a similarly impressive cat harvested by Greg Rodriguez while researching a recent Marco Polo Sheep post.

This exceptional animal was harvested by Greg in Namibia in May 2008.  Stretching the tape at eight feet one inches (8’1″), Greg’s tom is no trick photography.   Greg is an exceptional outdoorsman, photographer, outdoor and shooting writer and owner of Global Adventure Outfitters. In the course of his extensive travels, Greg researches the world’s best outfitters for international hunting.  Email Greg through his website to book your international hunt of a lifetime http://www.mbogo.net/contact.html or call at (281)494-2151.  Thanks Greg for use of the photo.

This Leopard in the photo below and appears larger than life, is probably about the same size as Greg’s tremendous cat. 

Harvested in Zambia, this behemoth shows the size and quality of older cats that can be harvested in Southern Africa.   Often times giant Leopard are able to attain their abnormal size by becoming cattle theives.  I have a hard time blaming them given my own love of a good ribeye or New York strip steak.  However, to the local farmers, the loss of a member of the herd can be devastating. As in North America, intelligent wildlife conservatin is the key to maintaining a proper balance.  https://thegreatwhitehunter.wordpress.com/2009/10/05/giant-leopard-big-five-trophy-of-a-lifetime/

African Leopard Strikes Back-Video

Thanks Wade for the forward.  This video shows how quickly a hunter can become the hunted.  This wounded Leopard literally blurs through the grass and takes down the professional hunter.  Worth a look!  http://trophyroom.com/video/BIkAidNXYP/

Giant Leopard-Big Five Trophy of a Lifetime

The African Leopard has made a fabulous recovery along with the recovery of other game species in Africa.  There are now estimated to be over 2 million leopard roaming southern Africa. 

Much of this success can be attributed to the trophy value of these cats.  Locals and landowners now have a financial motivation to ensure healthy populations of these cats.  Most cats you see harvested are mature males, but none I have seen approach the dimensions of the Leopard in this photo.  Congratulations to African Hunting Safaris, the outfitter who guided the hunter to this awesome feline http://www.africanhuntingsafaris.com/zambia_hunting.htm