 |
|
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." |
Bo
|
