15 2 / 2012
Leopard Killing
So in case you were wondering what that photo of that guy is doing with a dead leopard skin on his back I posted earlier, here’s the deal.
So I was walking by the kgotla yesterday and someone waved me over. To my surprise I found a dead leopard skinned and hanging out in the kgotla structure. Apparently it had been killing cattle, so they went to take care of business and kill it.
The herders hunted it for days, and when they found it they sent their dogs on it, but the leopard didn’t go down without a fight. One guy and his leg ripped opened. The other dude shot it. Badass!
Killing a leopard is a pretty big thing in Botswana, since it is a prerequisite before someone can become the kgosi (or chief) of the village. We already have a kgosi, so these guys didn’t usurp anyone, but it was still some big big news!
PS Killing a leopard for its skin is illegal poaching in Botswana, but these guys got the go ahead because it was attacking livestock. How you prove that, I’m not sure, but that’s the rule!
