The African antelope moved to graze underneath the tree, unaware that the crafty predator was lurking in the branches several metres above them.
View to a kill: This is the incredible moment a leopard leapt from a height of 40 feet to snare a spot of lunch in Botswana after spying some impala from a lofty branch
The only way is down: The leopard (circled) plummets towards the unsuspecting herd of impala, grazing peacefully beneath the branches
Within seconds the attack was over – and the leopard held her prize in her jaws.
Down to earth cat: The leopard here is just a split second from hitting the ground
The sneak attack caused the impala herd to flee in fright – except for one poor animal that was stuck in the female cat’s vicious grasp
‘Camera shutters were clicking, adrenaline rushed through our veins, and the remaining unhurt impala quickly scattered and commenced their bark-like distress calls.
Success: The leopard drags its prey off, the rest of the herd having sprinted to safety
‘It was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime event and I’m so happy that I was able to experience it with my family too.’
Climbing expedition: The leopard tried and failed to drag the carcass up two different trees to hide it from opportunistic predators
Making a meal of it: The leopard eventually resigned itself to eating the impala on the ground