The unusual sighting was filmed following the Letaba Flood of 2019, in the Kruger National Park.
Flood leaves impala herd stranded
The 2019 Letaba River flood was one of the significant flooding events recorded in the Kruger National Park and surrounding Limpopo region.
Following exceptionally heavy rainfall, the Letaba River rose rapidly, inundating low-lying areas and transforming normally accessible sections of the river into powerful torrents.
Bridges, roads and other infrastructure were affected, while animals were forced to move to higher ground or seek refuge on elevated islands and riverbanks.
These impala were left surrounded by water. The sandbank was their only refuge and the expansive waters made it difficult for them to cross over to safety.
Impala stand perplexed as water gushes around them
The impala stood perplexed as the waters rushed around them. Waterbirds, such as heron, stood alongside them, making for rare viewing.
Some of the herd members wandered to the edge of the sandbank but chose not to take the risk to cross over. There was simply too much water!
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An unusual and dangerous situation
The herd’s predicament, stranded on a sandbank in the middle of a swollen river, was a striking reminder of how quickly the bushveld’s landscapes can change.
A familiar crossing point can quickly become an isolated island when heavy rain causes a river to rise.
For the impala, which spend much of their life moving between grasslands, woodland and water sources, being surrounded by fast-flowing water created an unusual and potentially dangerous situation.
Herd stranded with little hope of finding way to riverbank
Impala are highly adaptable antelope, however, they are not particularly strong swimmers. Their survival strategy usually depends on speed, agility and the ability to detect danger early.
When a river rises suddenly around them, those advantages become much harder to use.
Safety area far removed from any source of food
Seeing the herd in the centre of the large body of water was something of a spectacle. The sandbank kept their footing secure, however, it was an island surrounded by seemingly impenetrable water.
Eventually these impala would need to eat. Finding their way through the water to vegetation-laden bushveld areas would take a miracle.
With eating essential for survival, the prospects didn’t look too good for this herd.
The waterhole area was filled with choppy water. The heavy rains had both blessed the bushveld with an abundance of water, but also caused devastation and many stranded animals. These impala were just a few of many of the animals left stranded by the floods.
While a sandbank in the middle of a river can initially appear to provide safety, as water levels continue to rise, the available refuge can become progressively smaller.
These impala might have eventually found themselves surrounded by deep water and strong currents, leaving them with few obvious escape routes.
Watch more rare bushveld moments
Impala stranded on a small stretch of sand in the middle of expansive water makes for a rare and memorable sighting. We regularly receive sightings submissions which leave our viewers in awe. Click here to join our WhatsApp updates group.
