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We were the first people at Babalala picnic spot one morning. It seemed like the attendant wasn't even around yet. We found spoor there, the size of a large dog's, like a Rottweiler maybe.

Hyena?

A photograph of a spoor is often difficult to interpret.

But my gut tells me that is the front paw print of a baboon.

Getting a pic of it is even more difficult.

Thanks!

I'm certainly no expert, and that spoor is not very clear to me, but I don't see any nail marks? Hyaena spoor should show nail marks, especially in softer mediumlike that. Can you remember whether there were nail makrs showing? Or do you have other pictures? Size of a large dog? Around 10cm would you say? Then I would say, if is has nails it was probably hyaena. If no nails showing, it may even be leopard.

And now I see Imberbe's answered as well... isn't it maybe a bit small for baboon?

It was no bigger than 8cm and had no claw marks. There weren't many about. Looked like a single animal walked into the picnic area from the parking area.

the others that were with it - same shape and size? If this was a baboon the hind paw's spoor differs somewhat.

Imberbe, what's you think?

Same shape and size. I spent quite a while following them from behind the restrooms. They came from behind the ladies restroom.

Baboon spoor is easily confused for that of a predator.

It is not hyena, as you mentioned, no nails, and the back of the spoor is not skew.

The front and the back spoor of baboon do look different, with the back being longer, reaching some 14 cm. The front is much shorter.

Do you have more photos?

**Edited mistake! **

Second guess:

No difference between front and back spoor size.
No nails showing.
Size of approx. 8 cm.
Early morning ... probably a nocturnal visitor.

Leopard ... male.

Interesting one.

Thanks to you both.

The All-knowing one has spoken, CC.

At best just a guess and a maybe but still fun.

and scary!