Latest news with #MarieTardan
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Watch: Leopard stands on two legs ‘like a human' in rare safari sighting, leaves internet stunned
A rare moment from South Africa's Kruger National Park is making waves online– a leopard was spotted standing upright on its hind legs during a safari near Kumana Dam. The unusual sighting, caught on camera by Marie Tardan, has now gone viral across social media. Footage captures leopard's unusual movement The video, now viral, was first shared on the Facebook page 'Latest Sightings - Kruger,' a go-to source for wildlife moments from the park. It shows a leopard pausing mid-hunt while quietly tracking impalas, then, in an unexpected move, rising onto its hind legs and standing tall, leaving viewers stunned. As quoted by India Today, the caption shared by the page reads, 'While this leopard was ambushing some impala, it suddenly sat up on its hind legs to get a better view. Then, making the scene even more unusual, it stood entirely upright on its back legs, exactly like a human, for an even better view! It looked so comfortable doing this that it must do this all the time.' Though rarely seen, the behaviour gave a brief yet striking glimpse of the leopard adjusting its posture, likely trying to get a clearer view of its surroundings. Wildlife officer and netizens react Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan also shared the clip on X, adding, 'That leopard is looking at his food by standing on two legs. Leopards are one of the most versatile creatures on earth. From Kruger.' The video has drawn wide engagement online, with several users reacting to the leopard's movement. A user commented, 'Leopards are not loud hunters. They are quiet listeners. Every movement they make is calculated. Every glance has purpose.' Another response focused on wildlife coexistence, stating, 'Preserve and create an environment for animals to co-exist with humans. Neither should interfere in each other's matters as humanely as possible.' A third viewer remarked, 'Never seen a leopard standing like this... thanks for sharing.' Not common, but instinct-driven While a leopard standing upright might seem unusual, online reports, including a recent report by India Today, suggest that it's often an instinctive response. In places where tall grass or uneven terrain blocks their view, leopards may briefly rise on their hind legs to check for movement or potential danger while hunting. This moment, captured at just the right time, gives a rare glimpse into the kind of split-second decisions wild animals make in their natural surroundings. The short video continues to spread online, offering a fresh window into the unpredictable and fascinating moments that nature holds.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
WATCH: Incredible moment as leopard stands like a human during hunt in Kruger National Park
A leopard standing on its hind legs as it scouts over tall grass looking for prey. Image: Facebook If you've ever sought the perfect excuse to embark on a self-driving safari, look no further than a breathtaking moment captured recently in Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga. A video showcasing a leopard standing on its hind legs like a human has taken social media by storm, leaving wildlife lovers mesmerised and sparking joy among netizens. The stunning footage was filmed by avid safari lover and traveller, Marie Tardan, near the Kumana Dam, south of the Satara Rest Camp. The clip was later shared on the popular Facebook page, Latest Sightings - Kruger, where it quickly went viral. 'While this leopard was ambushing some impala, it suddenly sat up on its hind legs to get a better view. Then, making the scene even more unusual, it stood entirely upright on its back legs, exactly like a human, for an even better view! "It looked so comfortable doing this that it must do this all the time,' noted the page, capturing the wonder of this extraordinary sight. Reactions to the video were instant, with netizens leaving humorous and entertaining comments. Abraham Sithole joked, 'Someone said these animals pretend not to be able to speak to avoid paying tax 😂.' Fellow user Pelumi Adeniyi remarked, 'Bro saw nothing but trying to impress the cameraman to trend.' Bongani Mtolo humorously suggested, 'Too many people loitering around the park. He's imitating them😹.' Meanwhile, Ewuzie Ifeany quipped, 'Bro forgot he was a leopard and switched to human mode.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Interestingly, this behaviour isn't just some idle curiosity. Research indicates that leopards, while primarily quadrupeds, will stand on their hind legs to scout for food or survey their surroundings from an elevated vantage point. This behaviour is commonly observed when they need to peer over tall grass or assess their environment for threats or prey. In this particular instance, the leopard was applying this instinct as it meticulously checked its surroundings. For those inspired to witness such delightful wildlife behaviours first-hand, a safari in Kruger National Park offers an extraordinary opportunity. The park is home to an array of wildlife, including the coveted Big Five, in their natural habitat. Nothing compares to the thrill of spotting a leopard, elephant or lion whilst traversing the vast, iconic African landscape. The winter months herald an opportune time for safari enthusiasts, presenting an optimal mix of wildlife viewing experiences. Cooler temperatures, less dense vegetation, and fewer tourists contribute to excellent animal spotting chances, particularly as creatures congregate around water sources. The sheer thrill of experiencing the untamed beauty of South Africa, coupled with the educational insights into animal behaviour and ecological systems, makes a safari in Kruger National Park a must-have experience - a chance to witness nature's wonders that won't easily be forgotten.
