The leopard put on an impressive show of its agility, cunning and stealth when it seemed to defy the laws of physics to pull its prey to the ground.
If one doubted the power packed into the predator’s limbs and lithe form, this sighting would quickly sober one up.
With powerful jaws that can crush even thick bones and well-built muscles, leopards are in fact remarkably strong and agile creatures. These big cats can reach speeds of up to 58 kilometers per hour and make horizontal leaps of up to 6 meters (20 feet).
It’s these exceptional physical abilities which make them some of the most skilled hunters in the wild.
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Leopard waits camouflages in long grass
Mario explained they had received news of a male leopard sleeping on the rocks at Biyamiti Weir.
“Since it was still cool, I decided to go there when it had warmed up, because the leopard was lying in the shade so the sun wouldn’t bother it,” said Mario.
However, this leopard was anything but sleeping. Rather, it was waiting for opportune time to hunt, with its sights already set on prospective prey.
The leopard kept a low profile, so well camouflaged that without news of its presence, one might easily have missed it.
The stealth creature edged forwards, little by little. Its moved were calm, focused and calculated. All the while, it kept its eyes on the prize, some impala grazing nearby.
The impala were unaware of any impending danger. They continued to graze quite peacefully. The leopard crept forward without a sound.
Unlike some of the big cats, like lions, leopards are solitary creatures; which means they like to maintain their own territory. This one was hunting alone, true leopard-style.
Leopard charges impala
By the time the leopard came out of hiding, it was close to the impala and they had little time to get away. They scattered like the wind, with the leopard chasing them at the speed of lightening.
Its limber body moved with impressive grace and power. This was a stealth killer and panic was visible throughout the stricken impala herd.
The leopard had already singled out its desired prey. The targeted impala stood no chance as it leapt for it. Hooves kicked up in the air, and the leopard’s body flew up into the air with the force of impact.
However, the action was over in a split second. The impala came crashing to the ground with force and fury.
Mario spoke of the leopard’s impressive ambush: “The leopard cleverly used the riverbank and bushes to conceal himself and approached to within a few meters of the impala where he launched and caught the Impala in a miraculous fashion,” said Mario.
It was all over in moments. With the impala herd out of sight and the leopard upon its kill, the bushveld returned to peace and quiet. Only those who witnessed the sighting could testify to the commotion which had ensued just minutes earlier.
“After the kill, the leopard proceeded to drag the kill more than 300 meters to a big tree where he lay down to recover. It was an amazing experience to witness how the hunt progressed from start to finish and to have been able to capture it on film was just incredible.”