Watch The Sighting:
Nighttime safaris offer a unique opportunity for safari enthusiasts to observe the many species that are more active at night. Additionally, the night presents different animal behaviours and sounds that may not occur during the heat of the day.
Safari company, Taga Safari’s Africa, was leading a group of guests on a night drive in Greater Kruger National Park when they came across an exciting encounter that had everyone holding their breath! It was a leopard hunting an impala!
A Kill in the Night
With the cover of night as its ally, the leopard used its silent paws, exceptional nocturnal vision, and honed ambushing technique to take down its unsuspecting victim. It began to drag the impala’s lifeless body through the tall grass, with its jaws firmly around its neck, and passed directly in front of the safari vehicle!
As the leopard was making its way down the side of the road, it was the picture of feline strength and stealth. Suddenly, however, its muscles went taught, and its eyes were wide with alertness, sensing that it was not alone in the darkness.
Hyena in the Shadows
The grass rustled, and a bold hyena dashed out from the darkness! Its jaws snapped, and its eyes were fixed on the impala!
The leopard retaliated by snarling fiercely and lashing out with its claws, refusing to surrender its prize.
The leopard’s boldness sent the hyena running, but it knew that its adversary would return, and likely not alone. In a burst of instinct, the leopard grabbed its kill and leapt toward a nearby tree, hoping to cache its meal in the safety of the tall branches as leopards often do.
Unfortunately, after making up only a few feet, the weight of the impala was too much, and both cat and carcass tumbled back to the ground. With danger closing in, the leopard quickly pivoted, abandoning the tree for the only option left: eat fast, eat now.
The Scavenger Showdown
The leopard began to urgently tear into the impala, glancing around nervously between bites as if sensing the impending threat. Right on queue, the first hyena crept back onto the scene, and it had indeed brought backup.
Now harassed by two determined intruders, the leopard found itself in a battle of strength versus numbers. All three predators had latched onto the impala in a gruesome game of tug-of-war.
The leopard snarled, pulled, and clawed, refusing to let go, but the hyenas were no strangers to force. With their powerful jaws and teamwork, they soon overpowered the leopard, yanking the kill away for themselves.
A Thief’s Victory
While the hyenas tore into the leopard’s hard-earned meal, it could only stand by and watch, panting and growling with adrenaline. It had fought bravely and managed to procure a few precious bites, but was ultimately outnumbered and outmuscled.
This sighting is a reminder that in the wild, even the most skilled hunters must defend their victories. Sometimes, stealth is no match for strength.