Regular contributor Mike Kirkman of MalaMala submitted this video to Latest Sightings. He filmed it in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in South Africa.
Seldom seen antelope
Mike’s video begins with a fairly uncommon sighting in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve. A small herd of nyala antelope are making their way through the riparian forest on the bank of a river.
The nyala in shot is the female, who sports a beautiful russet-coloured coat with white vertical stripes. Males are quite different, with dark grey coats and elegant spiralled horns.
Predator detected
In the next scene, we see the nyala ewe on the alert. She has sensed, probably using her sharp nose, the presence of a predator.
While she can’t yet see it, a female leopard is standing motionless in the bottom right corner of the above image. See if you can spot the distinctive black behind its ears.
Trust your instincts
Consequently, after barking out an alarm call, the ewe attempts to locate the leopard. Checking her surroundings thoroughly, she even glances into the trees above, hoping to spot the source of the scent filling her nostrils.
However, the leopard’s incredible rosetted coat proves its worth in helping keep its location hidden. Their markings serve to break up their outline, especially in thick bush and low light, rendering them all but invisible to prey.
A closer look
Subsequently, after not being able to find the leopard, the nyala moves forward, keenly sniffing the air in her efforts to locate her enemy. This is a risky move, particularly in the long grass where anything could be hiding out of view.
At this point, we hear other nyala alarm calls. This will result in heightened vigilance and reduce the leopard’s chances of a successful hunt.
Meanwhile, the leopard remains almost completely motionless; only the occasional flick of her tail indicates the nervous tension of the predator on the hunt.
Careful retreat
Then we hear Mike say that he thinks the nyala has spotted the leopard. Instead of bolting, the antelope daintily picks her way up the slope away from danger.
As the ewe moves away, we see the leopard tensing up. Her intended meal is getting further away, reducing her chances of catching it. She needs to make a decision, and fast.
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Ambush sprung
Sensing that she may have left her attack too late, the leopard takes a gamble and springs from cover. As she does, we see another nyala burst from cover.
It would appear that the second nyala was the leopard’s target all along. Nonetheless, she has left it far too late and the nyalas bound up the slope, easily outpacing the spotted predator.
On a side note: Do you see the white underside of the nyala’s tails? These are visual markers that allow others to follow, especially when fleeing danger. Numerous antelope species have a white underside to their tails, including kudu and impala.
Follow-me markers
As the nyala disappears from view, the leopard calls off her chase. Now we get a clear view of her tail tip, which is also white.
Only with leopards, the visual marker is to help cubs follow their mother when it is dark or visibility is otherwise limited.
Her plans thwarted, the leopard has no choice but to keep on searching for prey. In this area, they are successful in nearly four out of ten attempts. Better luck next time.