The Shadow Hunter Through Africa and Asia's night, A golden shadow moves from sight. The leopard prowls with silent grace, Black rosettes mark its hunting face. Most secretive of all big cats, It climbs through trees like acrobats. With powerful jaws and muscles strong, They drag their prey up branches long. High in the canopy they feast, Safe from hyena and wild beast. Their larder hangs in leafy bower, Protected by their climbing power. From Russian snow to desert sand, Leopards roam through every land. Nine subspecies make their home, Where other big cats cannot roam. Adaptable beyond compare, They thrive in forests, mountains bare. The Amur leopard, rarest of all, Just one hundred heed winter's call. In China's forests, cold and deep, These spotted ghosts their vigil keep. While African leopards still survive, We work to keep their kind alive. Solitary hunters of the night, They vanish swift at morning light. With territorial calls that rasp, They hold their ground with steely grasp. The phantom cat of legend old, Whose beauty never grows less bold.