Blind leopard fights with crocodiles over antelope carcass

A leopard risked its life to fight for food with more than 10 giant Nile crocodiles despite their dangerous bites.

(Video: Latest Sightings).

Wildlife photographer Stefan Cruysberghs came across the crocodiles busy feeding on their prey 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 a while, he and other tourists realized that their prey was a puku antelope. It is likely that another predator had caught and left the antelope carcass, according to Latest Sightings .

Attracted by the scent of prey, more and more crocodiles emerged from the river. Nile crocodiles can eat more than 50% of their body weight in one meal. The average puku weighs only 70 - 80 kg. That means there is not enough food for the entire group of crocodiles, so the crocodiles present are very uncomfortable.

When a leopard suddenly emerged from the bushes, the tourists were taken by surprise. But they later figured out that the leopard had taken the puku and was forced to abandon its prey. It returned to find that its meal had been taken by a pack of crocodiles. However, the leopard refused to let its prey go. It weaved between the crocodiles, even dodging a few bites. Finally, it went head-to-head with a larger crocodile. The leopard tried its best to tug and pull the meat away.

A feeding contest between a lone blind leopard and a large group of crocodiles.

Unable to get a big kill, the leopard became frustrated. When a crocodile joined in, it even smacked its opponent in the snout. In the end, it only managed to get two small pieces of meat before leaving. The leopard was blind in one eye, so the meal was not worth the risk.

The leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of four species of big cats in the genus Panthera that live in Africa and Asia. They range from 1 to nearly 2 meters in length and weigh 30 to 90 kg. Females are usually about two-thirds the size of males. Although smaller than other big cats, leopards are formidable predators. With their camouflage and stealthy habits, they can approach human settlements without being detected.

Nile crocodiles can grow to be 5.5 metres long, weigh 700 kg and live to be 100 years old. Nile crocodiles feed mainly on fish, but are capable of eating almost any vertebrate that comes down to the river to drink, except for elephants and adult hippos. They also eat zebras, young hippos, buffalo, deer and large felids and other crocodiles.