Photographer Kevin Wilson captured the scene as a leopard attacked a hapless springbok at Etosha National Park in north-west Namibia
A
British holidaymaker has captured a series of amazing photos that
reveal the sheer power and brutality of a hungry leopard going after its
prey.
Kevin
Wilson’s snaps show terror in the face of the hapless springbok, which
met an unfortunate end as it was taken down by the ruthless predator at
an African game reserve.
In
Kevin’s photos, the leopard sinks its teeth into the gazelle and clings
on to its prey with its powerful paws while its whole body is lifted
off the ground during the struggle at Etosha National Park in north-west
Namibia.
Mr Wilson said the leopard took down its victim and completed the kill in some long grass less than 20 seconds after the attack began
After the kill the leopard ambled over to the truck Kevin Wilson and his wife, Janet, were in and sat in the shade the vehicle offered
In another frame, the big cat appears to be stood up on its hind legs like a human as it takes a commanding grip on the hind of the springbok.
The leopard then takes down its victim and completes the kill in some long grass less than 20 seconds after the attack began.
Afterwards, the leopard ambled over to the truck Kevin, 55, and his wife, Janet, were in and sat in the shade the vehicle offered.
Kevin, from Leatherhead, Surrey, said he was incredibly lucky to have captured the display on camera.
Kevin Wilson, from Leatherhead, Surrey, and his wife, Janet, witnessed the attack as they drove around the game reserve in a pickup truck
The leopard sinks its teeth into the gazelle and clings on to its prey with its powerful paws while its whole body is lifted off the ground
He and his wife were driving themselves around while in radio contact with two guides, who informed them about a leopard stalking prey near the Rietfontein waterhole.
He said: ‘We headed there straight away and saw the leopard hiding in the long grass on the hunt for three springboks nearby, but they spotted it and ran off.
‘All of a sudden another springbok appeared and it didn't see the leopard and actually headed straight for it.
‘We moved position and I had time to get my camera focused on the leopard. The springbok almost walked on top of the leopard which then sprung into action.'
Kevin Wilson said the springbok almost walked on top of the leopard, which then sprung into action, as it hid in the grass