Claire West filmed the scintillating moment in the Kruger National Park.
Impala herd heads to water for refreshment
A waterhole is often a place of survival. Animals gather here for life, with water being essential for survival.
However, in this incident, the waterhole became a trap of death for one of the impala herd members.
The impalas approached the waterhole with a measure of confidence. This was more than likely something they did each day and the route was probably familiar to them.
They walked in what appeared to be single file through the long, dry grass towards the water. Water was well appreciated during these dry seasons.
Leopard launches sudden ambush
However, while the surroundings were familiar to them, they could not have anticipated the presence of a leopard lurking nearby.
When one of them was immersed in the water, the leopard took this as the opportunity to launch an ambush. The stealth animal could be seen streaking across the open bank area, towards the helpless impala.
The impala didn’t have enough time to get out of the water, before the leopard reached the shore.
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Leopard seizes opportune moment
The rest of the herd fled with great haste. Staying by the water would put the herd members at risk and in this terrible moment, the impala was left alone.
The leopard ran straight into the water. It had perceived the impala’s precarious situation as the opportunity for a successful hunt.
What had begun as an ordinary moment around a precious source of water for this impala had now become a tense and deadly encounter.
Leopard captures impala
What was clear to game viewers was how quickly an unexpected scenario could unfold in the bushveld.
With the impala in its jaws, the leopard now emerged triumphantly from the waters. It had succeeded in successfully capturing the impala.
It moved with ease up onto the ground alongside the waterhole. The rest of the herd was now nowhere in sight. The leopard’s presence meant danger and they weren’t taking any chances.
The presence of water can completely change the dynamics of a predator-prey encounter.
On open ground, an impala has plenty of space to accelerate, turn sharply and use obstacles to confuse a pursuing predator.
In water, however, movement becomes considerably more difficult.
In this action-filled sequence of events, instead of bounding rapidly across the landscape, the antelope had to fight against resistance and uneven footing. It eventually succumbed to the attack, and the leopard could be seen dragging its lifeless body into the distance.
Oftentimes predators will take advantage of the vulnerable position of antelope and other prey as they stand by or enter the waterholes for refreshment.
For this leopard, the waterhole was indeed a source of life; even though its seizing of life-sustaining fuel meant death for the buck. Life in the bushveld must continue and sometimes for this to happen, nature can show forth a raw brutality which is unexpected and heartbreaking.
The majestic leopard had won for the day and peace again returned to the waterhole setting.
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