When a leopard missed his chance to catch an impala, he didn’t panic. Instead, he lay low, waiting for another opportunity.
Watch the video here:
This footage was sent to Latest Sightings by Timmy Moser. He filmed it while on safari in South Africa’s Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve.
Prime leopard habitat
Joining the action in Timmy’s video, we see a leopard in its prime habitat. Sitting in the long grass, it is scanning the densely wooded area for prey.
Subsequently, we hear the guide telling his colleague that he thinks it is watching some impala. As if to confirm this, we hear their distinctive snorting in the background.
Changing mode
Consequently, it comes as no surprise when the beautifully marked predator lowers its body to the ground and slinks through the undergrowth. Although we can’t see why, his movement alone ratchets up the tension.
The large male has gone from curious cat to focused predator in a matter of seconds. By keeping its body low and treading carefully, it moves off in an attempt to intercept the impalas.
Incredible camouflage
A leopard’s coat is a key part of its hunting arsenal. The rosette markings break up the cat’s outline, merging it seamlessly with the surrounding vegetation.
Can you see him in the image above? No? Then chances are the impala can’t see him either.
Opportunity missed
Moments later, we see the leopard veer to the left. Seconds later, we see a young impala ram dash from left to right.
To all intents and purposes, it looks like the leopard has missed its target. However, unbeknownst to us, when the leopard realised his error, rather than show himself, he sank into the undergrowth.
Take two
While a less experienced hunter might have given up at this point, the large male sensed he might get another chance. After their close shave, the impala were skittish, moving back and forth in their effort to detect the cat’s position.
Sure enough, a short while later the leopard suddenly bursts from cover…
Before we’ve even had a chance to register that the hunt is back on, he launches himself into the air. As he does so, an impala comes into view.
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Blow-by-blow takedown
Sailing through the air, the agile cat spreads his front legs and extends his claws. As he does, the antelope unwittingly runs straight into the waiting trap.
As his left paw digs into the impala’s shoulder, momentum swings his head into position. In the same movement, he clamps his jaws onto the ram’s spine.
Then, as the pair clatter back to Earth, he shifts his bite to the back of the neck. With 5 cm long fangs, there is a good chance that the impala’s spinal cord will be severed in the process.
Dinner is served
Moments later, the predator easily drags the 65-kg carcass towards Tim’s position on the safari vehicle. Tired from the exertion, it pauses for a moment in front of him before moving on.
Judging by the awkward position of its head, it looks like the predator broke the impala’s neck in the takedown.
As the video ends, the leopard is last seen dragging its prize into a thicket. There, it will feast, replenishing its energy in anticipation of the next hunt.