This scintillating moment of viewing was captured on film, and championed by a group of spectators who celebrated when the little leopard managed to climb a tree, out of the hyena’s reach. However, it could have easily turned out differently for the cub.
Young leopard hides beneath bush
Moosa shared that they had just enjoyed an incredible sighting of a male leopard at the Nwaswitshaka waterhole and it was time for ‘the dreaded drive’ to the gate which brings the end to the day.
He said they managed to sight a young leopard sitting in the dense bush off the S1. Stopping their vehicle to take photos, they noticed some animals approaching in the distance.
A clan of hyenas had entered the vicinity.
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Hyena presence threatens leopard cub’s safety
Spotted hyenas are remarkably social creatures that form territorial groups called clans. These clans are led by females, with a dominant matriarch known as the queen.
These fascinating creatures exhibit complex social behavior and possess unique adaptations that make them formidable predators in the wild.
This predatory clan behaviour meant the hyenas were a huge threat to the hiding club. “I knew that this situation may not end well for the leopard cub,” said Moosa.
The hyenas walked quite casually past the vehicle, without seeming to be in a hurry of any sorts. There was no suggestion that they were aware of the cub and it seemed they were about to pass by, when one of them suddenly changed direction.
Hyena spots young leopard
It seemed the alpha hyena had caught the leopard’s scent. The deadly creature turned to retrace its footsteps, before spotting the cub.
This was when a high-speed chase ensued. Realising its hiding place had been identified and that its mom was not around to save it, the cub made a run for its life.
Its sprint for safety was cheered on by the spectators in the vehicle. Being so young, the leopard could not reach its adult speed, however, it ran like lightening nonetheless.
The hyena followed hot on its tail. In its reckoning, a cub was an easy catch.
Leopard makes it safely to refuge of tree
An adult hyena can reach 40mph and this one was closing in on the cub with fury and speed, however, the clever leopard spotted a tree and did what leopards do best – it climbed that tree with immense speed.
Shouts of celebration resounded from the spectators. The leopard had defied the odds and outrun, and outwitted the hyena. “It was an emotional roller coaster and I was extremely delighted to see the cub survive!” said Moosa.
However, predictable nature might seem at times, these poignant moments are a reminder that surprises can happen and that the great outdoors is full of miracles. For every tragedy in nature, there are moments that deserve applause, as was the case when this small leopard won the respect of Moosa and his fellow travelers.