A lone leopard successfully attacked an impala ram in full view of spectators and two male lions, which were in the vicinity.
The leopard had used stalk and ambush tactics to catch the animal by surprise. The bushveld had provided the perfect cover for the leopard, which had silently crept towards its target.
Impalas are highly alert animals, with excellent hearing and quick reflexes. However, the leopard moved slowly and deliberately, exercising patience to get close enough for a successful ambush.
With the impala in its grip, it spent some moments trying to pull the impala to the ground.
The impala’s tail continued to flicker signaling danger, even as the leopard held onto it with determination.
Leopards kill with precision. Once on the impala, the leopard will use its powerful jaws to clamp down on the throat or snout, suffocating the prey.
This method ensures a relatively quiet kill, which is important for avoiding the attention of scavengers like hyenas or lions. The struggle may last a few minutes, but the leopard holds firm until the impala is still.
The leopard eventually ended the impala’s life, before it dragged its body to a more covered area, beneath some bushes.
Leopard feeds on carcass
It then began to feast on the carcass, hoping to find some peace and quiet in the shade of the tree. However, this was not to be…
Some male lions were in the area and they were aware of the leopard’s presence.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
After making a kill, leopards often face the challenge of keeping their prize safe. Leopards are solitary hunters and must protect their catch from larger predators.
Oftentimes they will drag their kill up into a tree using incredible strength. Even a fully grown impala ram can be hauled several feet off the ground by a determined leopard. Once in the tree, the leopard can feed in peace, away from threats on the ground.
This leopard, however, had become complacent in protecting its kill. It had not realised that it was not alone in the vicinity, and that the two male lions had been aware of its movements.
Male lion makes its presence known
One of the male lions walked into clear view of the motorists. He was a magnificent fellow and he gave some resonant roars to announce his presence.
While the leopard had put on an impressive demonstration of strength in pulling down an impala ram all by itself, it was no match against the two male lions.
Lions close in on impala carcass
The lions quickly closed in on where the predator was reclining beneath the tree, and stole the carcass. The leopard didn’t even try to put up a fight. It knew that it stood no chance of protecting its kill from the hungry lions.
Scenes like these show the dynamic interactions which play out in the African wilderness. Each interaction is a reminder of the raw beauty and harsh reality of life in the wild.