Cameron Hanvey was there to witness the rare sighting.
Distinctive ‘leopard crawl’ caught on camera
This leopard did not attack its desired prey immediately. Instead, it approached it with a distinct leopard crawl, keeping its belly low to the ground and sneaking forward, undetected.
Its distinct colouring provided the perfect camouflage as it moved forwards. The tawny colours of the grass and uneven shades of the surrounding bushveld blended with its spotted coat to provide sufficient covering as it edged closer to some impala which were grazing in front of it.
View the most scintillating hunts
It is always special to watch a predator stalk a prey and secure a kill. Click here to join our WhatsApp group to watch the latest Kruger National Park hunts.
Leopards are apex predators; muscular and with calculated moves when hunting. They will often hide unseen as this one was, closing in on their prey, until that defining moment of ambush.
When this one had gotten close enough to the impala, it started to pick up pace; stalking with more determined moves, before elevating from its crouched posture.
The impala continued to graze quite peacefully. They stood around a nearby bush, composed. The danger of the moment evaded them.
Leopard starts to run towards prey
It eventually started to run, making its presence known through explosive action.
By this time, it was too late for the prey to make a getaway. The leopard had successfully hidden its presence until that final opportune moment.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
It sprinted forward and lunged into one of the impala. The action was impressive and the impala literally flew into the air.
Leopard displays impressive airborne tactics
The leopard moved with surprising power and agility. It too was airborne for a few moments as it pulled the impala to the ground.
A cloud of dust hung in the air as predator and prey thudded to the floor of the bushveld. It was an awe-inspiring, but heartbreaking moment; one of those raw moments which define many bushveld sightings.
The impala was still alive and could be seen kicking in distress. However, the leopard soon bit at its neck, ending the struggle.
Leopard rests after successful hunt
Calm returned to the bushveld setting. The leopard now lay with its prey in its clasp, again camouflaged against the thicket.
Its tail could be seen flickering as it settled down; perhaps as it caught a breath or two.
It is hard to know what happened next. The leopard might have gotten up with its prey shortly after, to drag it up into a tree. This is often the case with a leopard kill, as other predators like lions and scavengers are unable to get to the carcass if the leopard takes it up into a tree.
Leopards are incredible climbers and often eat their kills from the branches of a tree.
What is known is that this young leopard was an extremely skilled hunter. Its hunt checked all the boxes for ‘successful hunt’.