but in this corner of south africa, it is often a two-legged creature named john varty. >> my reichelback of the vehicle. this is too clumsy to hold. i'm relying just on my knowledge of the situation. >> reporter: he's known as j.v. around here. and in the world of conservation and wild life photography, he's known as one of the most stroern y'all characters. >> i'm not a good cameraman. ill rely on technology. but all i have -- i have a great passion for what i do. >> reporter: since his family has long owned a luxurious private game reserve, he grew up around some of the most magnificent beasts on the planet. over the years, he's captured some amazing samples of their behavior. like the time a mother cape buffalo stalked the leopard that had taken her calf. it is just part of nat geo wild's "caught in the act," which treats us to a moon goose fighting a lion. and an overly excited young elephant, trying to mate with a rhino. and it including john varty's rare glimpse of a mother leopard taking on the pie thor that swallowed her cub. she forces the snake to rejudge talt the newborn.