Leορard eпds uρ with a ροrcuρiпe’s quill uρ its пοse after tryiпg tο eat the sρikey creature
This is the moment a leopard wound up with porcupine quills in its nose, after repeatedly attempting to capture and eat the spiky animal.
The predator was relaxing in a tree on the side of the road in South Africa’s Kruger National Park when its unwary prey passed by.
The leopard, measuring 1.5 metres in length, pounced and moved in for the kill, but wound up with porcupine quills embedded in its mouth and paw.
Traffic came to a halt as the shocked porcupine crossed the road in a futile attempt to escape.
After suffering injuries during its initial attack, the leopard retreated from its quarry before launching a second assault. The porcupine managed to cross the road, but was ultimately felled by the large cat.
Yusuf Chavs was traveling through the National Park in his car when he witnessed the two animals emerge from the foliage and photographed their dramatic struggle.
The leopard appeared to be attempting to reach the porcupine’s midsection or posterior legs, where there are fewer quills.
‘Compared to the leopard, the porcupine was moving across the road very slowly.’
The 42-year-old optometrist from Johannesburg exited his vehicle to photograph the action.
He stated, “The porcupine appeared shocked and terrified.”
It is extremely uncommon for a leopard to assault a porcupine. This is dangerous for leopards to do because the quills can cause injury.
“It is difficult to describe how I felt when I witnessed this, but I would say I felt fortunate and fortunate to have seen something so rare.”
