Survival in the wilds of Africa often comes down to split-second reflexes. In this incident, a hungry leopard nearly became a meal itself.
Ashleigh Grabow submitted this remarkable footage to Latest Sightings. She filmed it while staying at Lion Sands Narina Lodge in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Watch the video now:
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Old tom
Ashleigh’s video opens with a view of an old male leopard named Donga. She told Latest Sightings that her guide, Aaron from Lions Sands Game Reserve, had spotted the cat hopping from boulder to boulder, making its way across a river.
Evidently, it was trying to get to a dead hippo lying in the water.
Although they are very capable hunters, leopards will scavenge occasionally. And, given the leopard’s age and injured left eye, the opportunity to score a free meal was too good to resist.
Taking his time
The leopard was taking its time, not wanting to slip into the rushing water. After weighing up his options, he leapt to the next boulder.
Landing safely, he then stood still on the boulder while calculating his next move. While leopards don’t mind swimming, the old tom was obviously trying to find the safest route to the hippo carcass.
However, little did he realise that as he carefully navigated his route, he had caught the attention of the river’s most dangerous inhabitant.
Lunging from the water
Having determined his next move, the leopard edged forward on the boulder, preparing to leap to the next one. However, as he did, an ominous shape lunged into view from the left.
Rising from its watery hiding place, a massive Nile crocodile burst from the water less than two metres from the leopard. Despite getting a big shock herself, Ashleigh managed to capture what happened next.
Incredible reflexes
Thanks to its excellent reflexes, the leopard immediately spotted the threat and took evasive action. First, he drew back, while swatting at the crocodile.
As he did so, he coiled his muscles, preparing to launch himself from harm’s way. Even as he did so, though, it looked like his fate was sealed.
Subsequently, the leopard rocked back on his haunches, narrowly avoiding the croc’s gaping jaws. In so doing, the croc had to roll to maintain its lock on its target.
Consequently, the leopard got an extra split-second of grace. In the blink of an eye, his powerful hind legs launched him skywards.
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Miraculous escape
Considering that a crocodile’s jaws snap shut in just 50 to 100 milliseconds, it is miraculous that the leopard literally leapt clear as they were closing.
Consequently, the leopard sailed several metres through the air before landing in the water a safe distance from the crocodile.
According to Ashleigh, he immediately swam to the shore, miraculously escaping without injury. No doubt he’ll have second thoughts before trying to scavenge in the water again.