As the most elusive of the big five, leopards are always an exciting sighting in the Kruger National Park. A lucky safari-goer captured this one on camera on the S21 road, where it was actually in the middle of an intense hunt.
Known for their stealth and ability to be unseen, this one was actually surprisingly exposed as it hunted along the wide road, but that just made it all the clearer for the sighting.
The power of this big cat was clear at every step of the way, and there’s no doubt about why many safari-goers will flock to the Kruger in hope of seeing one in the wild.
Absolutely Locked In
The leopard was moving silently down the road just behind the vehicle, in the perfect place for the passengers to capture footage of it, making this the sighting of a lifetime.
It couldn’t be less bothered by the presence of the safari truck if it tried, as it was completely focused on something in the distance on the other side of the road, and it was maintaining constant eye contact with it.
Given that leopards are famous for their evasive lifestyles, especially when they’re sneaking up on their prey, the fact that this one was out in the open might appear strange. It’s entirely possible this big cat was actually using the sound of the vehicle to help mask its approach.
Closing The Gap
The leopard hurried off to the side of the road where it moved cautiously through the long grass. The noise generated by the vehicle might mask any sounds it made, and the grass would help keep it safe from the beady eyes of its potential prey.
As it stood on the verge of the road, stretching out its neck to see through the bush, the leopard cut a particularly majestic figure. A powerful big cat up close and personal like this was a truly amazing sighting.
It had to track its prey closely to ensure that when it was close enough, it would be able to launch an attack so sudden that the poor unfortunate impala wouldn’t even have the time to react.
Stealth Expert
The leopard continued to close the distance, and in so doing it began to show off the stealth abilities which serve it so well in hunts, and surviving attacks from rival predators.
It crouched down very low to crawl into a large patch of foliage, contorting its body slightly to move beneath the canopy without disturbing it. A small noise at the wrong time might have alerted the impala and caused it to flee.
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An Elite Hunter
As the leopard continued its path through the bush, even the camera itself began to lose sight of it. Its natural camouflage was so effective that the vehicle had to move to try and keep it in sight, and even then it was a struggle.
How it had spotted the impala from that distance, and with all the plant-life in the way remains a mystery, but it is proof of the leopard’s prowess as a dangerous and deadly hunter.
