Leopards sent from Monaco zoo to South African reserve

[LeftyMom]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml;jsessionid=THFW4LFT0KKIJQFIQMGCFF4AVCBQUIV0?xml=/earth/2008/01/26/ealeopard126.xml&page=1

Leopards incredible journey to freedom


It was just after dawn when the two leopards were taken to their new home on the African savannah. The tranquiliser fired into their front legs from a blowpipe had worn off. But after 48 hours they were still locked in their travelling crates.

Pitou and Sirius, both 16 and brother and sister, sniffed the red African earth. In the distance they could hear the growl of an old lion. A welcome or a warning?

Pitou at Monaco zoo before his release and Virginia McKenna, John Knight and Prince Albert of Monaco with sedated Pitou
Pitou before his release (top) and Virginia McKenna, John Knight and Prince Albert of Monaco with sedated Pitou

It was followed by the wild clucking of a yellow-billed kite shaking a bean tree. Africa was sounding its reveille.

Virginia McKenna cautiously pulled up the shutter on the cage holding Sirius. It was positioned to lead straight into a fenced-off three-acre sanctuary of acacia and thorn bushes. The plan was for Sirius to come out first and disappear into the cover of the undergrowth, followed by her big brother Pitou.

(more at link)