A large crocodile emerged with an unexpected prey, and Nicola had front row seats to film the rare, heartbreaking spectacle. The event was filmed in South Luangwa, Zambia.
The reality of the bushveld is that every animal must eventually come to the waters to drink. For this reason, waterholes in the wild are a source of abundant life.
However, at the same time, the number of animals waterholes attract also makes these a hunting ground for predators.
Some of these predators stalk their prey from the shore. Others, such as crocodiles and even hippos, remain hidden from view.
When animals are left vulnerable as they lean down to drink, predators see this as the opportune moment to attack.
This is what must’ve happened to a poor leopard which was pulled into the waters by a mammoth crocodile.
Crocodile emerges with something in its jaws
Nicola possible couldn’t believe her eyes as the crocodile emerged with something in its large jaws. While it might not have been immediately evident what the prey in the crocodile’s jaws was, within moments the telltale rosette spots on the animal’s coat could be identified.
It was a leopard!
The large crocodile had successfully caught a leopard and flung this around in the water. The leopard was tossed back and forth, leaving sprays of water, and causing loud splashes as its limp body hit against the water’s surface.
Leopard tossed about with heartbreaking fury
Nicola continued to film, as the heartbreaking ordeal unfolded.
She explained to Latest Sightings that they had initially thought the animal was a leopard named Lucy which was seen frequently in the area.
However, Lucy was later sighted alive and so it is now believed that the leopard was a younger leopard, possible one of Lucy’s sons.
The leopard’s identity remains unconfirmed.
“No-one saw the actual kill, unfortunately,” Nicola explained. “But they think it was a younger leopard going down for a drink.”
Large crocodile puts on a dramatic display
The commotion continued for a while. It was hard for any game viewer to miss the action. The crocodile put on a dramatic display.
The poor leopard stood no chance.
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Croc and prey disappear beneath the water’s surface
Eventually, leopard and crocodile disappeared beneath the water’s surface. Silvery ripples across the water’s surface gave away the struggle which had unfolded only moments earlier.
Then, it was just the croc’s eyes sticking up momentarily out of the water.
The terrible kill happened within moments and it was hard for anyone to believe what had happened. Nicola’s video testifies to the rare tragedy.
The scintillating kill won’t easily be forgotten by Nicola and is possibly one of the rarest sightings caught on camera and presented to us. It is always recommended spending time at waterholes when on a game drive, for the very reason that most animals must eventually come for a drink… and when this happens, often the unexpected unfolds.