The astonishing spectacle of a leopard savaging a crocodile has been captured for the first time on camera.
A series of incredible pictures taken at a South African game reserve document the first known time that a leopard has taken on and defeated one of the fearsome reptiles.
The photographs were taken by Hal Brindley, an American wildlife photographer, who was supposed to be taking pictures of hippos from his car in the Kruger National Park.
The giant cat raced out of cover provided by scrub and bushes to surprise the crocodile, which was swimming nearby.
A terrible and bloody struggle ensued. Eventually, onlookers were amazed to see the leopard drag the crocodile from the water as the reptile fought back.
With the crocodile snapping its powerful jaws furiously, the two animals somersaulted and grappled. Despite the crocodile's huge weight and strength, the leopard had the upper hand catching its prey by the throat.
Eventually the big cat was able to sit on top of the reptile and suffocate it.
In the past, there have been reports of crocodiles killing leopards, but this is believed to the first time that the reverse scenario has been observed.
Mr Brindley said: 'I asked many rangers in South Africa if they had ever heard of anything like this and they all said no.
'It just doesn't make sense. The meat you get out of a crocodile is just not worth the risk it takes a predator to acquire. The whole scene happened in the course of about 5 minutes. Then the leopard was gone.
'I drove away, elated in disbelief. It may have been the most amazing thing I've ever seen.'
Ellie Rose, a reptile keeper at London Zoo, said: 'Normally, crocodiles are well able to defend themselves against attack. I can't think of any examples of this happening before.'
WOW subhanAllah that realy is amazing , What a battle ! :eek:
'It just doesn't make sense. The meat you get out of a crocodile is just not worth the risk it takes a predator to acquire. The whole scene happened in the course of about 5 minutes. Then the leopard was gone.
Innit , I think the croc did some realy bad things :X
And as for the onewho fears standing in front of His Lord and restrainsthe soul from impure evil desires and lusts, verily, Paradise will be his abode [79:40-41]
Oh yeah! The leopard is one of the coolest animals alive!
I think Cheetahs are cooler though. Wonder if a Cheetah would be able to beat a crocodile. Maybe they're too fast for the cameras.
SubhanAllah. Cool. But look at the crocidiles foot they look like a dummys one. Could it be that the reporter put a dummy for the leopard and he just took photos where the dumnys leg was hidden?
Oh yeah! The leopard is one of the coolest animals alive!
I think Cheetahs are cooler though. Wonder if a Cheetah would be able to beat a crocodile. Maybe they're too fast for the cameras.
Lol, i agree. Have u ever seen one in real life in nature?
I dont think a cheetah would be strong enough. Leopards are very strong and are able to drag something twice their weight up a tree.
format_quote Originally Posted by Yanal
SubhanAllah. Cool. But look at the crocidiles foot they look like a dummys one. Could it be that the reporter put a dummy for the leopard and he just took photos where the dumnys leg was hidden?
I doubt the reporter would bother to risk his life and do that. Theres wild out there with real live hippos and crocs in the dam.
Further if it were a dummy the leopard wouldn't come to it as it can smell/sense the real thing and cant be fooled by a fake.
Errm whats with the foot that makes u think its a dummy?
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Very exceptional and amazing, I like leopards :X I would have felt sorry if the crocodile won
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