Impala Escapes Crocodile's Clutches, Gets Eaten By Leopard Waiting Nearby

A dramatic video showing an impala escaping from the jaws of a crocodile, but later falling prey to a leopard recently went viral. The footage was taken by Angela and Craig Weeks during their trip to the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Angela and Craig were at the scene with their two sons -- aged eight and 11 -- and grandfather when they encountered the fight for survival in the wild. The video showed the young impala struggling to free itself from the crocodile only to end up in the leopard's clutches seconds later.

The video was shared online by LatestSightings.com. It was not revealed when the footage was taken.

The couple shared the story of the once-in-a-lifetime experience with the website.

“We were watching a herd of impala drinking at a large muddy pond that had formed next to the road after recent heavy rains near Biyamiti Weir," Angela and Craig told LatestSightings.com. "We had stopped to take a closer look at one impala that had a broken leg. Suddenly a 4-foot crocodile shot out of the water and grabbed a young impala, dragging it into the muddy water and submerging it.”

The couple said the two struggled for about two minutes before the impala managed to break free and get out of the water. However, things were not as lucky for the impala as imagined by the onlookers. As the animal got out on the muddy bank, a leopard – who was waiting to make a kill – managed to pounce on the impala.

“We were shocked by the unexpected impala takedown and really surprised that a crocodile was lurking in such a small mud pool. When the impala eventually escaped the croc, we were relieved but seconds later totally surprised by the leopard’s stealth ambush. It was an unforgettable sighting and a 'once-in-a-lifetime' experience for us," the couple said.

The couple said, "The leopard proceeded to consume the impala in the shade of a nearby fallen tree."

The video can be distressing for some viewers.