Watch: Warthog family narrowly escape leopard ambush
Leopards are opportunistic hunters and while they often dispatch their prey with deadly efficiency, many hunts end unsuccessfully. While on a recent game drive in South Africa’s Kruger National Park safari guide Moosa Varachia and tourist Jan-Louis Human enjoyed front-row seats to an attempted ambush by a leopard looking to nab a warthog piglet.
It was late afternoon and the duo were on their way out of the reserve when the telltale alarm call of a squirrel suggested the presence of a predator nearby. After some time searching for the animal, Moosa spotted a leopard lazing on a low branch and positioned their vehicle for prime viewing. Leopards often seek refuge in the treetops during the heat of the day where they can safely sleep while also watching for any threats or a potential meal.
When a warthog family sauntered down the road, “the leopard instantly lifted her head and had her eye on them,” Varachia and Human explained to Latest Sightings. Eager to take advantage of an easy meal, the leopard slinked out of the tree and concealed itself in the tall grass in anticipation of the approaching prey. Perhaps sensing the danger, the warthogs appeared confused and inadvertently ambled directly towards the prone leopard.
Once within striking distance, the big cat pounced from the grass, missing Moosa and Human’s vehicle by centimetres as it sprinted after one of the piglets. The warthogs bolted down the road and just managed to outpace the leopard which gave up the chase after a short while.
Moosa and Human were left reeling after the exciting encounter: “Sightings like this are what makes it all worth it!”