Warthog escapes the jaws of a leopard and tosses the big cat in the air with its tusks after a hungry hyena charges in
- The shocking clip was taken in the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, South Africa
- The breathtaking clip shows the warthog squealing as the big cat clamps down
- Ranger Daniel Hitchings, 22, said the sighting left him ‘in total astonishment’
A squealing warthog escaped the jaws of a leopard when a hyena charged in, giving the prey ample time to escape
The warthog was trapped after a brief scuffle in which the big cat was able to pin its prey down as the losing creature squeals.
But when the hyena charged in, the warthog was able to wiggle free and charged at the leopard, flinging it into the air with its tusks in the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, South Africa.
In the footage, captured on October 10, the leopard can be seen grasping onto the warthog’s back with its jaw.
As the smaller creature tries to wiggle away, the predator is flung around in circles.
The warthog manages to flip the hyena on its back but the beast quickly hops up and forces the warthog to the ground.
With it’s belly facing up, its desperate victim squeals as the leopard chomps down.
A warthog wiggles free from a leopard when a hyena charges in. The prey flings the big cat into the air with its tusks in the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, South Africa
A safari vehicle watches on as amazed visitors take it all in. Another vehicle then pulls up to witness the amazing sight.
As the warthog continues to screech, a hyena runs into frame from the right heading straight for the leopard’s catch.
When the hyena moves in, the lucky warthog is able to spring to its feet and face its predator head on.
It headbutts the creature sending it springing back before sending it flying into the air with its tusks.
The warthog sprints away, pursued by the hyena and leopard.
In the scuffle, the warthog manages to flip the hyena on its back but the beast quickly hops up and forces the warthog to the ground (left). With it’s belly facing up, its desperate victim squeals as the leopard chomps down (right)
Game ranger Daniel Hitchings, 22, who witnessed the spectacle said: ‘Sightings-wise, it was relatively quiet, so we drove around and joined a sighting of a male leopard where other safari vehicles were also parked.
‘We spent quite some time at the spot, watching the leopard move against the wind, which then lead him to a steenbok, then impala.
‘We were surprised to note that he suddenly lost interest in the impala to focus his attention on the huge hole just below him which I knew was an active warthog burrow.
As the warthog continues to screech, a hyena runs into frame from the right heading straight for the leopard’s catch
‘It was all so sudden. We watched the leopard’s behaviour change. First, he was still very uncertain if the hole was empty or not.
‘Within five minutes of us waiting in anticipation, a huge warthog made a dash for it and in a split second the leopard jumped on top of the warthog, catching a ride mid-air and tripped the warthog with pure weight and surprise.
‘We sat in total astonishment.’
He added: ‘Just as we thought it was over, a hyena appeared from the thickets and ran towards the sound of the squealing warthog.
When the hyena moves in, the lucky warthog is able to spring to its feet and face its predator head on before running away
‘This was a once in a lifetime sighting! You know it’s an extremely special sighting when you see the reactions of the other rangers too, who have witnessed all types of other animal behaviour.
‘It’s on days when you expect the least that sightings like this one blows your mind.
‘So all I can advise it to take it all in! Although sightings like these are often hard to watch, this is nature in its rawest form.’