Published 20:43 IST, November 19th 2019
Leopard and python battle it out in a nail-biting death match
Leopard and Python battle it out in a nail-biting death match. Visitors of Africa’s Masai Mara National Park witness an epic battle of survival between the two.
Visitors of Africa’s Masai Mara National Park saw a terrifying battle of survival between a python and a leopard. The battle initially began with the two, eyeing an impala, a medium-sized antelope found in the area. However, the big cat was taken by surprise as the python decided to leap at him instead. The leopard was initially caught off-guard. However, it managed to free itself and escape from the clutches of the python by leaping wildly into the air.
The entire incident was recorded by photographer Mike Welton, 28, who happened to be on the scene. He managed to capture the drama as it unfolded. The battle for survival lasted for 15 minutes as onlookers stood there, their eyes glued to the scene unfolding before them. It was no less than a deathmatch.
Mike added how they all took a moment thinking about how terrible it would be to watch a beautiful creature like the leopard get killed like this. He said that python constriction was horrible. He further said that it was 'sickening' to imagine the poor leopard dying that way.
The photographer told a news agency that the leopard wrestled its way out of the python's grip. it was then able to claw and bite the head of the snake. He said that the other onlookers and him heard a very loud crunching sound. The sound was most likely the leopard biting the skull of the python. Welton further said that he thought that the python may have died or been terribly injured because it continued to flop around slowly after the leopard was done with it.
Mike who has been photographing wildlife for several years now says he has never seen such a sight before. He was travelling with his safari group that day when they heard of a leopard sighting in the area. Upon rushing over to see the leopard they witnessed this epic deathmatch unfold before them.
Updated 23:59 IST, November 19th 2019