13/03/2026
Is there a more famous or iconic cat anywhere in the world? I run out of superlatives when it comes to describing Casper and his remarkable legacy as well as the dynasty that his brothers and himself have created. On Sunday 01/12/24 on the S100 we had the privilege of being graced by his presence.
As we rounded the bend, there he was, a beacon of light in the darkness that was slowly subsiding at 04:40am. I’ve always said, being first out and last in can be the difference between an excellent day in the park and an unforgettable one. This was no different. We chose our position, turned the vehicle in, and sat in awe as we observed the most magnificent lion to have graced the Kruger in my lifetime. He is many things but his true magnificence was revealed at around 5:20am when the sun started to kiss the surface of this beast. We watched as the light engulfed him and subsequently radiated off his coat. Due to his eyes having a sensitivity to the light, this may have been the last time we ever got to witness him with both his eyes open and gazing in to our direction. It will be a moment that will live long with both Kerry and I.
For 2.5 hours we watched as this gentle giant, as far lions go, closed his eyes and rested his chin on his paw. A truly iconic pose for any cat but even more so for Casper. It is a famous pose that many people from around the world have had the privilege of seeing. A cat that people have travelled to see from all corners of the world, hoping for just a glimpse and yet here we were, spending our morning with him. What more could we have asked for from the bush. There is no sighting that compares to being in Casper’s presence.
At 7am, he stood up, stood tall, stood proud and took a step forward away from the road. It was in this moment that the full magnitude of this sighting hit home. His innings is coming to a close. Will we see him again?Ive learnt to never underestimate a lions ability to overcome adversity. I just hope that when his innings comes to its conclusion, that it’s away from the public eye so that he can avoid being paraded like a circus lion on latest sightings for clicks.
