When an impala stumbled into a leopard’s trap, it did its best to escape. However, in a massive show of strength and determination, the predator prevailed.
Miguele Vosloo submitted this exciting footage to Latest Sightings. He witnessed the action on the S110 in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Watch the video here:
Straight into the action
We jump straight into the action as a young male impala canters through the dry grass of southwestern Kruger. Unbeknownst to the antelope, he is running right into an ambush.
Impalas are by far the most abundant large mammals in the park, with as many as 200,000 roaming in large herds. Consequently, they are one of the most frequently preyed upon species, falling victim to everything from eagles to lions.
Singled out
An impala’s primary defence against predators is finding safety in numbers. Accordingly, as this impala isolates itself from the herd, it becomes a prime target.
Consequently, until the very last moment, it is unaware that a leopard lies hidden in the long grass. As such, when the predator appears before it, it has barely enough time to react.
Flight foiled
To escape predators, impala can jump heights of 3 metres and cover 10 metres with a single leap. The ram tries to do just that, simultaneously lowering his sharp horns to ram the predator.
However, the leopard’s phenomenal reflexes enable it to avoid the horns while preparing to launch itself after the impala.
Subsequently, as the antelope sails through the air, the cat leaps. As it does, it manages to hook its 1.5-inch claws into the ram’s shoulder.
Now attached to its prey, the leopard is carried by the airborne impala’s momentum. Although it is upside-down, it manages to retain its grip on its prize.
Crashing back to Earth
As the pair comes crashing back to Earth, the leopard has miraculously managed to hold on throughout. Furthermore, it now has its jaws clamped over the ram’s mouth and nose.
While this will definitely hinder the impala’s breathing, it can still get some air into its lungs. And it is going to need every molecule for the fight ahead.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Fight for life
And what a fight it puts on! Although weighed down by the leopard, the impala does everything in its power to dislodge its assailant.
Bucking and thrashing, he shows remarkable strength as he drags the leopard across the veld. For a full twenty seconds, the brave ram fights until finally it has nothing left to give.
In the process, the leopard has not only managed to hold on, but it has also moved its grip to the ram’s windpipe.
Death by asphyxiation
Although the impala is still standing, the battle is all but lost. With the cat’s jaws now firmly clamped on its throat, the ram gets progressively weaker.
Depending on the circumstances, asphyxiation can take seconds or minutes. In this case, it takes around two minutes until it finally collapses.
Even after it falls, the leopard maintains its grip. It too is exhausted by the exertion of the hunt. However, it cannot wait around indefinitely.
It doesn’t take long for scavengers to get wind of a fresh kill. Accordingly, as soon as it is able, it will drag the carcass to a place where it can finally feed in peace.