On Camera, Squirrel Takes On Leopard In Jaw-dropping Game Of Chase

Just consider the idea of a squirrel facing one of the top predators in Africa. Frightening? You’d think so. But this gutsy little one chose to play it differently, crossing the path of a lurking leopard, transforming the potential threat into a hilarious confrontation. The event occurred at MalaMala Private Game Reserve and head ranger Piet Van Wyk was privileged to experience and record this unbelievable event. The video was shared on the renowned YouTube page Latest Sightings.

While on a trip, Van Wyk managed to capture a young female leopard on an Apple-Leaf Tree. As per the caption accompanying the video, this feline is the daughter of one of the most beloved Leopardesses in the reserve named Sibuye female. Leopard cub’s spotting whipped everyone into a frenzy, but there was another star of the show waiting in the wings, a cheeky squirrel.

Having walked some distance looking up at the trees with sleepy, curious eyes, the leopard soon became aware of the presence of something else. She had a tiny squirrel with her in the branches and from this point, fun started.

What should have been quite a terrifying moment for the much smaller animal was instead an impressive show of defiance. The squirrel chose to outsmart the bewildered big cat instead of running away and engaged in a game of hide-and-seek.

It sat at the bottom of the tree provoking the leopard to attack it; but as soon as the predator was close enough, it climbed up the tree again.

This little squirrel had the leopard running in circles. It was as if the animal was chasing its tail.

Up and down the tree they went, the clever little rodent always one step ahead of the young leopard. At one point, the rodent tricked her by not moving a muscle right under her snout.

The hunter and the prey performed acrobatics for about five minutes where the leopard nearly caught the squirrel only for it to scamper away from its reach by clawing on the tree trunk.

The tiny daredevil was absolutely adorable but appeared to have a heart as large as its size because the way it moved and tried new things left the onlookers stunned.

Finally, the squirrel must have felt that it was capable of getting away, and that is why it dashed into the bushes below. The leopard, not backing off its agenda to capture its tormentor, trailed closely behind the rodent but only to be left empty-handed.

Since being shared on September 20, the video has had over 12 lakh views on YouTube.