Hornbill survives leopard sneak attack
Footage from a visit to the Kruger National Park shows the moment a hornbill narrowly escapes a sneak attack from a young leopard.
The Kruger National Park offers some of the most memorable and remarkable wildlife sightings in the world. It is no wonder, then, that a video from a 2015 visit to the famous game reserve has resurfaced online.
Shot by Gabriella Kurz, the video shows a leopard stalking two hornbills, hoping to make a catch.
Describing the sighting, Gabriella said that the guide on the drive told them it was quite unusual for a leopard to be going after a hornbill: "Our guide said that the leopard was most likely quite young and also quite hungry, which would explain it attempting to catch the hornbill."
ALSO READ: These dogs having a good time at Disneyland will make your day
The leopard moved slowly in the grass for a few minutes, before hiding in one spot close to one of the birds. The leopard then goes for the bird, surprising it.
The leopard does manage to keep the bird down for a few seconds, but in the ensuing struggle the bird manages to escape and fly away.
The leopard's desperation, due to hunger, and its inexperience due to its young age were the factors that saved the life of the hornbill on that day.
ALSO READ: Australian fisherman performs emergency surgery on a shark, saves 98 pups