Spotted cat and a Bonnet
with Peter Comley Safaris
APRIL 2025
Following the controversial footage of a leopard cub on the bonnet of a game viewer, and the volleys of resulting rhetoric on social media, please find the following article written by my dear friend Peter Comley.
Peter is the most experienced, empathetic, credible and insightful guide I know. His take on the encounter is an invitation for ALL OF US in the safari industry to reflect a little.
And an opportunity to transcend some rather hateful and divisive keyboard warriorship, and collectively take a breath.
I say this in light of some venomous comments about the guide in question; with some commentators baying not only for his job, but as it seems, for blood as well. This will get us nowhere.
Commentators, basking in the comfort of an armchair and a keyboard, perhaps with some knowledge of the industry, or who are involved in the industry, speak of what the guide should have done to prevent the bonnet summit. Perhaps indeed there were signs. For me, the momentum of the safari industry since its infant stages needs to be looked at.
I have seen it change.
From the intentional habituation of leopards (including unfortunate and unethical baiting which was very common at one stage), to the inevitable acceptance of vehicle intrusion, to the growing volumes of game drives out there, to dwindling space, to the thrill of the chase, to off road driving, intrusive night drives, using reclusive riverbeds as roads, close encounters for marketing material et al.
All relentless.
Multiple generations of leopards who have also evolved their behaviour patterns accordingly.
Then came social media and the headlong pursuit of the instagram moment.
Take a look at the video again and you will see all clients, as well as the guide, locked in, cell phones armed and blazing in order to 'capture' an incredible moment.
The keeping up with the Jones’.
For me, the leopard and bonnet moment is a convergence of all of these. Not an error in judgement of one person
Peter's story provides a lot of thought, and perhaps most importantly, from the leopard’s angle too.
Perhaps the industry as a collective, from lodge/safari operators, activity managers, guides, guide mentors, guide trainers, and marketing gurus should pause a while, and honestly acknowledge where the evolution of our industry has come from.
And where it is at present.
And consequently, where it is headed.
I'm not sure why everyone is surprised.
Please find Peter’s article at https://wildwanderings.africa/category/wild-musings/
with Peter Comley Safaris
APRIL 2025
Following the controversial footage of a leopard cub on the bonnet of a game viewer, and the volleys of resulting rhetoric on social media, please find the following article written by my dear friend Peter Comley.
Peter is the most experienced, empathetic, credible and insightful guide I know. His take on the encounter is an invitation for ALL OF US in the safari industry to reflect a little.
And an opportunity to transcend some rather hateful and divisive keyboard warriorship, and collectively take a breath.
I say this in light of some venomous comments about the guide in question; with some commentators baying not only for his job, but as it seems, for blood as well. This will get us nowhere.
Commentators, basking in the comfort of an armchair and a keyboard, perhaps with some knowledge of the industry, or who are involved in the industry, speak of what the guide should have done to prevent the bonnet summit. Perhaps indeed there were signs. For me, the momentum of the safari industry since its infant stages needs to be looked at.
I have seen it change.
From the intentional habituation of leopards (including unfortunate and unethical baiting which was very common at one stage), to the inevitable acceptance of vehicle intrusion, to the growing volumes of game drives out there, to dwindling space, to the thrill of the chase, to off road driving, intrusive night drives, using reclusive riverbeds as roads, close encounters for marketing material et al.
All relentless.
Multiple generations of leopards who have also evolved their behaviour patterns accordingly.
Then came social media and the headlong pursuit of the instagram moment.
Take a look at the video again and you will see all clients, as well as the guide, locked in, cell phones armed and blazing in order to 'capture' an incredible moment.
The keeping up with the Jones’.
For me, the leopard and bonnet moment is a convergence of all of these. Not an error in judgement of one person
Peter's story provides a lot of thought, and perhaps most importantly, from the leopard’s angle too.
Perhaps the industry as a collective, from lodge/safari operators, activity managers, guides, guide mentors, guide trainers, and marketing gurus should pause a while, and honestly acknowledge where the evolution of our industry has come from.
And where it is at present.
And consequently, where it is headed.
I'm not sure why everyone is surprised.
Please find Peter’s article at https://wildwanderings.africa/category/wild-musings/