tsalala

Western Bobcat (Lynx rufus ssp. fasciatus)

Camera Traps Reveal Iberian Lynxes Soaking Their Prey, a First-Ever Discovery Among Carnivores

Scientists speculate that the wild cats are trying to improve hydration or ease their cubs’ transition to solid food. The finding points to resilience in one of the world’s most endangered felines

A camera trap in Spain recorded a wild female Iberian lynx carrying a dead rabbit to a water trough and dunking it, researchers were shocked. Then, they spotted the behavior several more times. In a study published in March in Ecology, scientists detailed these findings, which they say are the first-ever observations of a carnivore soaking its dead prey in water. The unusual phenomenon has raised questions about how predatory species adapt to changing environments—and it hints at resilience in one of the world’s most endangered felines. “This is very interesting and genuinely a surprising observation,” says Wai-Ming Wong, the director of small-cat conservation science for Panthera, who was not associated with the study. “Wild cats are typically thought of as highly efficient, instinct-driven hunters, so seeing an individual modify how it handles prey in this way is quite remarkable.”...

Throwback to 2019 when I had photographed Riddhi as a playful cub. It was the time when Ranthambore was going gaga over Riddhi and Siddhi, the two female born to the forest's most famous tigress, Arrowhead.

Today, Riddhi is a proud mother to three adorable cubs herself and life has come a full circle. This was a morning drive in Zone 3 when Arrowhead had left the cubs in order to look for a prey. The sisters were in a playful mood and they were very comfortable in their surroundings. They were never been shy of tourists and cameras and were a photographer's delight. Riddhi was playing with a termite mount when I had framed this image. Someday I hope to see her cubs living their tender moments in a similar fashion.

Young male leopard seemingly in deep thought.

“As the sun set behind the Drakensburg mountains, we spotted the Ndzandzeni Female approaching one of the water holes to drink. In the low light, a shot at motion blur seemed to work out quite well. She must have turned her head as the shutter opened and essentially kept it still while the rest of the body moved. This allowed for her face to appear in focus and the rest of the image blurred.

She then settled down for a drink facing away from us and the golden light on her stunning rosettes made for a great shot.”