Leopard vs Bird: Hornbill Dramatically Escapes Jumping Cat’s Clutches

By Mark Hodge @MrHodgey

A HUNGRY leopard snatches an unsuspecting bird out of the air – before losing its grip and allowing its prey to make a miraculous escape

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Videographer / Director: Gabriella Kurz
Producer: Mark Hodge, Nick Johnson
Editor: Joshua Douglas

The lucky bird flies to a nearby tree away from the leopard's clutches

Shot in June 2015, the dramatic footage was taken by US tourist Gabriella Kurz, 22, in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

I want to break free: The leopard holds the bird on the ground before the hornbill wrestles free

The video shows a juvenile big cat stalking two large hornbills before launching an audacious aerial attack and grabbing one of the birds as it starts to fly away.

But to the astonishment of the watching safari group, the feathered animal managed to wrestle free and fly to safety.

Flop cat: The bird is able to fly away from the hungry leopard

Washington-born Gabriella explained that it was rare to see a leopard hunting such a large bird.

She said: “We were all very surprised when the leopard attacked - our guide said this was a very unique incident as hornbills are not a typically hunted prey by leopards.

Rumble in the jungle: The big cat struggles to contain the large bird

“We had been driving along the road and someone had spotted the leopard on the side of the road hiding from the hornbills - we quickly pulled over and watched the cat make its move.

Aerial attack: The immature leopard launches itself at the flying bird

“The leopard was probably very young and quite hungry, which would explain the attack and also why the hornbill was able to get away.”

And the American biology graduate, who was enjoying her first safari trip, revealed that the lucky bird appeared to be unharmed and was able to take refuge in a nearby tree.