The miraculous catch was filmed by Brem Peters in the MalaMala Game Reserve.
When Brem and the travelers with him first spotted this leopard, he was walking through the bushveld, quite unassumingly.
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Leopard notices impala in the distance
However, something soon caught his attention and he stood to alert.
The leopard is one of Africa’s most adaptable and secretive predators. Unlike some big cats which rely on teamwork or sheer speed, the leopard is a solitary, stealth-based hunter.
Leopards depend on patience, camouflage, and explosive power. This one was preparing for an ambush. Noticing an impala in the distance, he started to prepare for an attack.
Leopard stalks towards impala
The sun was low as the leopard stealthily advanced towards his intended prey. His spotted coat provided exceptional camouflage and allowed him to stalk the impala undetected.
Impala are a preferred prey of leopards. They are abundant across savanna and woodland habitats. These are the same environments leopards prefer. Because impala live in herds and are so numerous, they also provide a reliable and accessible food source.
In many reserves, studies show impala make up a significant percentage of a leopard’s diet.
Explosive attack leaves impala startled
The leopard was just a few metres away from the impala when he finally launched his attack.
A leopard’s strategy is to get as close as possible before sprinting and pouncing. The bushes, termite mounds, and tall grass had concealed his approach.
While lions and cheetah will chase prey over a distance, leopards hunt alone and depend on a short, explosive burst of speed. They can reach speeds of around 58 km/h , but only for short distances.
Leopard closes in on impala
With a burst of speed, the leopard closed in on the impala. Their reaction times were phenomenal and they managed to break into a run immediately.
The leopard, however, was too close to one of the impala for the animal to get away.
He leapt towards the antelope and pulled it down with great force and fury; both creatures turning a moment on the ground before it was evident the leopard’s attack had been a success.
Leopard lies in grass with catch after successful hunt
With the impala in his clasp, he now sat to feed. An impala is a large antelope and this was an impressive catch, as well as a memorable display of the leopard’s brute strength.
Oftentimes leopards will drag their prey towards trees and even up into the branches, where they can feed in seclusion, away from carcass thieves, such as hyenas and other predators.
For now, this leopard appeared to be catching his breath and pausing for a moment before the feasting would begin.
Leopards have an extremely varied diet. They are opportunistic predators and will eat anything from insects and rodents to antelope, monkeys, and even young giraffes. This flexibility is one reason they survive in diverse habitats ranging from African savannas to Asian rainforests and even mountainous regions.