The incredible showdown, and the impala’s commendable and brave attempt to escape was filmed by 43-year-old secretary, Charlene Swanepoel.
Herd of impala scatter as leopard appears
Charlene and her family had watched a one-eyed leopard hide itself and patiently wait to ambush a herd of nearby impala.
When the impala realised a leopard lay in waiting, they ran out in panic. However, one eye was enough for this clever leopard and it succeeded in chasing one of the impalas down.
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Leopard successfully closes in on impala
The scene unfolded with the speed of lightening. Red dust was kicked up everywhere as the leopard closed in on the antelope.
Said Charlene: “Successful in his attempt, we were in awe at what we saw, yet another highlight awaited us, when suddenly a hyena appeared out of the bush and stole the impala from the leopard.”
Hyena emerges out of the shadows
The hyena appeared from what seemed out of nowhere, but no doubt had been waiting for the opportune time to enter into the commotion. This hyena saw the chance to cash in on the leopard’s hard work.
Hyenas are among the most intriguing and often misinterpreted predators in the wild. With their exceptional bite strength, female-led social structure, and distinctive physical traits, they are much more than mere scavengers.
Their dominance and survival skills highlight their importance in the ecosystem, proving they are among the most successful predators on earth.
Battle ensues between leopard and hyena
Charlene described the confrontation which followed: one-eyed leopard vs hyena, with the poor impala caught in the middle!
“Old One Eye and the hyena fought each other, but the hyena overpowered One Eye multiple times.”
She said following an explosive confrontation, the one-eyed leopard moved away and kept his distance.
With the leopard gone, the poor impala thought that this was its chance to get away, but luck was not on its side. A chase ensued between impala and hyena, with the hyena overpowering the antelope and bringing it down.
Surprise ambush adds impetus to the action
With the one-eyed leopard having retreated, it seemed the hyena was at liberty to enjoy the feast alone. However, the sound of a second fight could be heard.
“Another leopard was on the scene!” said Charlene.
She explained that with Old One-Eye up a nearby tree; a second, younger male leopard had come out, waiting for some scraps that the hyena may leave behind.
The hyena, however, was not too worried about the leopards’ presence. The odds were in its favour and it was now free to enjoy its meal. Picking up the impala and leaving some scraps behind, it then walked into the bush.
Charlene believes the incredible sighting was a matter of ‘being in the right place at the right time’. “We were lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time!”