This young wildebeest looked destined to become lunch for a hungry leopard – but the big cat hadn’t counted on a powerfully protective mother.
Defence: A young wildebeest looked destined to become lunch for a hungry leopard – but the big cat hadn’t counted on a powerfully protective mother
In a blink of an eye, the stunned cat went from being the attacker to scampering off with its tail between its legs with the angry female in pursuit.
The stunning images were captured by Martin Farrell, 54, from Bristol, who was taking a Kicheche safari camp tour of the Mara North Conservancy in Kenya.
His wife Kathy, 58, a recently retired pharmacist, also managed to shoot a dramatic video of the encounter.
On the prowl: The hungry leopard spots its next lunch and skulks forward
Skulking: The leopard moves through the grass nearer to his unaware prey
Kathy said: ‘We have done many safari but have never seen anything remotely like this and somehow Benjamin put us in the right place at the right time.’
Kicheche camp co-owner and wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein explains: ‘Martin and Kathy Farrell stopped to observe a sleeping leopard. It soon awoke and immediately started hunting.
Attack: The leopard launches forward and sinks its teeth into the baby wildebeest
Distraught: The terrified calf vainly attempts to get away from the clutches of the leopard
‘This was a big, fully adult male after a young wildebeest which, during migration will form a major part of its diet.
Back to the rescue: As the leopard firmly grabs hold of the wildebeest its mother approaches
Protective: It’s nearby mother is well-placed to react quickly and counteracted with a precision horned-headbutt to the leopard’s upper body
Determined: The mother rams her horns into the predator lifting it into the air
Escape: The calf escapes to safety as the mother takes on the leopard
Terrified: The beast runs off in fright after the mauling as the younger animal escapes
Turn around: In a blink of an eye, the stunned cat went from being the attacker to scampering off with its tail between its legs with the angry female in pursuit