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Once dubbed “The Prince of Predators”, leopards are renowned for their beauty, strength, and secretive lives. In this video, a herd of impalas stumbles on one hidden in plain sight.
This footage was submitted to Latest Sightings by Mike Botes and Mrisho Lugenge. They witnessed the incident at MalaMala, in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.
Blissfully unaware
As the sighting video begins, we see a herd of impala approaching across an open clearing. At first glance, we have no reason to think anything is amiss.
However, if you look carefully, you’ll notice that one of the impala senses that something is out of place.
Unsure, it glances at something lying on the ground to the centre-right of the frame.
However, rather than alert the herd, the impala walks on by. A decision that will soon prove costly.
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A closer look
On close examination, we see a very distinctive coat. The rosette-shaped black markings set against russet fur are unique to one of Africa’s deadliest predators.
Perfectly camouflaged and motionless, a leopard lies in wait. Incredibly, the antelope cannot see it, although it is hiding in plain sight.
Ultimate ambush predator
Leopards are the ultimate ambush hunters. Their hunting strategy is to stalk as close as possible before launching a blitz attack. In this case, however, it decides to let the prey come towards it.
Consequently, it isn’t long before one of the ewes trots directly towards it. Then, when it is no more than a metre from the cat, it spots it and launches itself skyward.
Simultaneously, the leopard’s coiled muscles explode into action as it leaps after the flying antelope.
Incredibly, it manages to catch the impala in mid-air. Subsequently, its momentum causes it to somersault over the impala, with its deadly claws still maintaining their grip.
Then, as the rest of the herd scatters, predator and prey come crashing back to the ground.
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Near escape
As they land, the impala all but escapes the leopard’s grip.
Then, it gathers its legs beneath it before leaping once more in a desperate attempt to escape.
Unfortunately, one of the leopard’s paws maintains its grip, and it quickly regathers the impala.
Then, biting into the nape of its neck, the cat pins the impala to the ground.
Still fighting
Although it may look like its all over for the ewe, it still fights to free itself.
To counter this, the leopard straddles it…
However, when it moves to adjust its grip, the impala again tries to escape.
Once again, it is only the leopard’s deeply embedded claws that prevent it from doing so.
Snarling angrily, this time the leopard goes for the impala’s throat.
Finally, it manages to clamp its jaws over the antelope’s windpipe. With its air supply cut off, the impala’s strength wanes rapidly.
Helpless spectators
Meanwhile, in the background, there is nothing that the rest of the herd can do but snort their alarm as they watch the spectacle.
Finally, the impala dies. However, the leopard knows it must remove the kill before scavengers arrive. Accordingly, as the video draws to its conclusion, we see it dragging the carcass towards a thicket.
Exhausted, it lies down for a moment to rest. As it does, it all but disappears from view, reminding us how effective a leopard’s camouflage is.
