A Leopard Risks It All for a Meal Among Over 10 Giant Nile Crocodiles Despite Their Deadly Bites.
(Video: Latest Sightings).
Wildlife photographer Stefan Cruysberghs encountered a frenzy of crocodiles feasting on a meal during an early morning safari in South Luangwa, Zambia. According to Cruysberghs, there were so many crocodiles that it was difficult to see what they were eating. After some time, he and other tourists realized their prey was a Puku antelope. It is likely that another predator had captured and left the antelope carcass, as reported by Latest Sightings.
Attracted by the scent of the carcass, more and more crocodiles emerged from the river. Nile crocodiles can consume more than 50% of their body weight in a single meal. On average, a Puku antelope weighs between 70 to 80 kg. This means there wasn’t enough food to satisfy the entire crocodile group, making the crocodiles increasingly irritable.
When a leopard unexpectedly appeared from the bushes, the tourists were astonished. They speculated that the leopard had caught the Puku and was forced to abandon its prey. It returned only to find that the crocodiles had taken over the meal. However, the leopard was determined not to let the prey go. It maneuvered between the crocodiles, even dodging a few bites. Eventually, it confronted a larger crocodile for a piece of meat, tugging fiercely to pull the meat away.
A fierce struggle for food between a solitary blind leopard and a large group of crocodiles.
Unable to secure a larger meal, the leopard became frustrated. When one crocodile entered the fray, it even struck its snout. In the end, the leopard managed to snag only two small pieces of meat before retreating. Being blind in one eye, the leopard decided that this meal was not worth the risk.
The Leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the four big cat species in the Panthera genus, residing in Africa and Asia. They typically measure from 1 to nearly 2 meters in length and weigh between 30 to 90 kg, with females usually being about two-thirds the size of males. Although smaller than other large cats, leopards are formidable predators. With their camouflage and stealthy habits, they can approach human settlements without being detected.
The Nile Crocodile can reach lengths of up to 5.5 meters, weigh around 700 kg, and live for up to 100 years. Their primary diet consists of fish, but they are capable of eating almost any vertebrate animal that comes to the water, except for adult elephants and hippos. They also prey on zebras, young hippos, buffalo, antelopes, large felids, and even other crocodiles.
