Jan Kriel witnessed this dramatic event and sent his record to Latest Sightings. Jan filmed it while conducting a game drive in the southern Kruger National Park.
Laser focused
As Jan’s video begins, we see a leopard half hidden in the vegetation at the side of the road.
Judging by its focused body language, something unseen has its full attention. Equipped with incredibly sharp vision and excellent hearing, they have evolved to detect the slightest movement or sound.
Bolt to freedom
Moments later, an adult warthog explodes from the dense vegetation on the far side of the road, catching the leopard unawares. While a leopard can run faster than a warthog, they are not built for prolonged pursuit.
Realising it stands no chance of catching the fleeing pig, the leopard does not attempt to chase. If anything, its attention is focused elsewhere as it conserves its energy.
Strange behaviour
Subsequently, the leopard sits on the road for some time, all the while looking at the spot from which the warthog earlier emerged.
Apparently bored, the leopard then went back to where it was first seen, relaxing for a short while near another safari vehicle.
Confusing matters even more, it subsequently returned to the road. Once again, it sat in the middle of the road, aiming its attention at the same place as before. But why?
Unseen target
Suddenly, the spotted cat jumped into action and bolted towards the side of the road that had for so long held its attention. In seconds, it covered the distance before launching itself at a still-unseen target.
After making an initial grab, the leopard momentarily lost its prey. However, in an instant, it recovered to seize it again.
Then, a high-pitched, desperate squeal pierced the air, revealing the identity of its quarry. Sounding much like a domestic pig, the distress call of a warthog is unmistakable.
Then followed an almighty scuffle as the leopard struggled to subdue the violent resistance of the warthog. Warthogs are notoriously tough creatures, equipped with razor-sharp tusks that can do serious damage to attackers.
Of course, as one of the most efficient feline predators on the planet, leopards also have a fearsome arsenal of fangs, claws and brute strength. And, on this occasion, these proved to be enough.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Mayhem ensues
In the mayhem, the pair disappeared into the dense vegetation at the roadside, shortly before the pig’s squeals abated. We can assume, therefore, that the leopard had somehow managed to clamp its jaws over the hog’s windpipe.
At this point, Jan repositioned his vehicle to get a better look. Unfortunately, the view wasn’t great, but we can just see a portion of the leopard’s spotted coat.
Also visible is freshly excavated earth. This suggests that there is a warthog burrow hidden by the side of the road. We can therefore conclude that when the first warthog fled, the other (probably its mate) stayed behind.
Narrow margin
This video illustrates the narrow margin between life and death in the African veld. Had the unfortunate warthog fled with its partner, it may well have survived.
By the same token, had the leopard chased the first warthog, it may well have come up empty-handed.
