Something you don't see every day!

WOW! 5 minutes in the Kruger ...
  
 The  astonishing spectacle of a leopard savaging a crocodile has  been captured for the first time on camera.  
   
  

A series of  incredible pictures taken at a South African game reserve  document the first known time that a leopard has taken on and  defeated one of the fearsome reptiles.  

  
  


The  photographs were taken by Hal Brindley, an American wildlife  photographer, who was supposed to be taking pictures of hippos  from his car in the Kruger National Park .  

  
  


The  giant cat raced out of cover provided by scrub and bushes to  surprise the crocodile, which was swimming  nearby. 
A terrible and bloody struggle  ensued. Eventually, onlookers were amazed to see the leopard  drag the crocodile from the water as the reptile fought  back. 

  
  


With  the crocodile snapping its powerful jaws furiously, the two  animals somersaulted and grappled. Despite the crocodile's  huge weight and strength, the leopard had the upper hand  catching its prey by the throat. 

  
  


Eventually the big cat was able to  sit on top of the reptile and suffocate it.  
In the past,  there have been reports of crocodiles killing leopards, but  this is believed to the first time that the reverse scenario  has been observed. 

  
  


Mr  Brindley said : 'I asked many rangers in South Africa if they  had ever heard of anything like this and they all said  no. 

  
  


"It  just doesn't make sense. The meat you get out of a crocodile  is just not worth the risk it takes a predator to acquire. The  whole scene happened in the course of about 5 minutes. Then  the leopard was gone. 

  
  


"I drove away, elated in  disbelief. It may have been the most amazing thing I've ever  seen." 
Ellie Rose, a reptile keeper at London Zoo, said :  "Normally, crocodiles are well able to defend themselves  against attack. I can't think of any examples of this  happening before."