The male leopard hunted the impala lamb which was left hidden in a bush while the mother browsed in the distance.
The leopard then stalked the lamb and caught up with it, but the mother rapidly gave up and left the scene. The lamb had little chance to escape. The leopard’s sharp claws and strong jaws swiftly subdued the small animal.
The leopard broke the impala’s neck, without killing it. “It licked it and played with it for a long time,” says Marine.
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Leopard retreats to cover of bush with kill
Leopards often drag their prey into thick cover or up a tree to avoid scavengers like hyenas. This solitary hunter’s success under the stars highlighted its adaptability and mastery of nocturnal hunting.
Marine recalls the moment: “We could hear the bones crushing as the leopard snacked on the impala’s tail.”
With impala lambs, a leopard may sometimes grab the animal awkwardly, such as by the back or belly. The lamb may struggle for a while before succumbing.
Unlike lions, which may kill roughly with a powerful bite or paw swipe, leopards rely more on suffocation. This can take longer, especially if they’re dealing with a moving, panicked animal.
The action all took place under the canopy of the night. Leopards prefer hunting at night, using their exceptional night vision and stealth to catch prey.
For Marine and the game viewers with her, this meant the action was shadowed by the night. However, they continued to hear the terrible sounds of the moments, which were clear in the silent darkness of the bushveld.
Leopard continues to feast even while impala lamb is still alive
Marine recalls the heartrending moment. Each crunch of bone and tear of flesh was deliberate. The kill served as a vital source of energy for the solitary hunter.
It can be hard to remember when witnessing a kill, that this is part of the circle of life. Killing a lamb will provide enough meat for a leopard to feed for hours without expending the same energy needed for larger prey.
Now, it was a waiting game. For the lamb to perish, would mean the creature would be released from unbearable distress.
The leopard reclined in the darkness and seemed oblivious to the heartbreaking nature of the scene. It was merely acting on instinct and satisfying its hunger. The bushveld is filled with many such heartbreaking moments.
Heartbreaking moment distresses onlookers
Marine explains how difficult it was to watch the moment unfold.
The sighting soon became too much for Marine. “We left the scene as it became overwhelming and only hoped that the leopard would kill the impala for good,” she says.
Leopards will tear the flesh into manageable pieces, often beginning with the softer parts like the underbelly or hindquartres. They will typically consume nearly all of the lamb, including bones and organs. This is made possible by its powerful jaws and teeth. Marine left before she could witness the final demise of the baby animal.