Things could have turned out very differently for these impala had the elephant not shown up right on time.
It was a magnificent save and fortunately Judy was there to capture it all on film.
Impala remain unaware of leopard’s presence
The herd of impala had been grazing peacefully, without realising a leopard was nearby.
The apex predator had been hiding behind a rocky outcrop and was suitably well camouflaged.
Their spotted coat of the leopard is made up of rosettes, not simple spots, and each leopard has a unique pattern, much like a human fingerprint. This camouflage allows them to vanish into grass, shadows, and rocky terrain, making them masters of ambush hunting.
This leopard was incredibly difficult to see and remained an unseen threat for a long time.
The impala herd consisted mostly of male impala, or rams. Male impalas will often form bachelor herds such as this one. These are made up entirely of rams. They usually include young males and older, non-territorial males which are not currently holding breeding rights. Bachelor herds are typically smaller and more fluid than female herds.
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Leopard sits to attention as it prepares to attack
The leopard eyed the impala, remaining hidden from their view. At one point he sat up, to size-up his anticipated catch.
Leopards are incredibly strong for their size and can carry prey weighing as much as their own body up into trees.
Their hunting is built around stealth, speed and patience, and they are ambush predators. They will stalk their prey slowly and silently, often getting within just a few metres before launching a sudden explosive attack.
Impala become aware of threat
The impala caught air of his presence and their heads turned to the side in unison. They had identified the threat, and from their astute postures, it seemed they were now on high alert.
The leopard flexed his muscles, preparing to attack.
Elephant emerges on the horizon
However, at just that moment, the heard of a large elephant could be seen emerging in the near distance.
The elephant had been hidden by the thick bushveld terrain, however, was making its way towards where the leopard and impala were.
The majestic creature walked with large, steady strides; unperturbed by the leopard in its path.
The leopard, however, was visible shaken and shot up to its feet, moving quickly to get out of the way.
Elephant successfully chases leopard away
With the elephant present, a successful kill would not be possible.
Possibly without even knowing it, the elephant had saved the day. It had successfully scared the leopard off, and this bachelor herd was again safe and free to graze in peace.
An elephant successfully chasing a leopard away is a powerful example of how size and confidence can shift the balance in the wild. Leopards are stealthy apex predators, but they rely on surprise and will quickly retreat when confronted by a much larger animal.
This spectacular viewing experience highlighted the elephant’s role as a dominant force in the ecosystem and the leopard’s instinct to avoid unnecessary risk, choosing survival over confrontation.
