Leopard fights antelope carcass with crocodiles

South Africa A leopard successfully caught an antelope, but before it could eat its prey, three crocodiles tried to steal its food in a fierce battle.

Leopard ambushes waterbuck. Photo: Elaine De Klerk

Tourist Elaine De Klerk witnessed a fight between a lone leopard and a pack of crocodiles in Sweni, Kruger National Park, South Africa, Latest Sightings reported on July 6. She and her husband heard the leopard's cry and spotted it at the other end of the river. The leopard stared at a small herd of waterbuck grazing along the riverbank. It quickly disappeared into the dense reeds to ambush. While following the leopard, the Klerks watched it catch a young waterbuck and kill it.

The leopard refused to give up the antelope carcass to the crocodile. Photo: Elaine De Klerk

At that moment, three crocodiles emerged from the river. One of them bit the antelope’s flank and dragged it away. The leopard still held on to its prey’s neck and refused to let go. The tug of war lasted for nearly an hour. With neither side giving up, the antelope’s carcass was torn in two. The crocodiles surrounded the prize and tore it apart in just a few minutes before other scavengers arrived.

The death roll is one of the crocodile’s signature moves. When it catches its prey, the crocodile uses its powerful jaws to hold it tight, then it quickly flips over, using its powerful muscles to tear its prey apart, making it unable to escape.

A pack of crocodiles used a trick to take over half of the antelope's body. Photo: Elaine De Klerk

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of four big cats in the genus Panthera that live in Africa and Asia. They are 1 to nearly 2 meters long and weigh 30 - 90 kg. Females are usually about 2/3 the size of males. Although smaller than other big cats, leopards are formidable predators. With their camouflage and stealthy habits, they can get close to their targets without being detected.

An Khang (According to Latest Sightings )

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