Impala antelopes are capable of jumping up to 10m. They use this technique to escape from predators or sometimes for fun. Impala can also overcome bushes or other obstacles with the ability to jump up to 3m. Normally, a running impala can jump over anything in its path. Adults can weigh more than 70kg and be about 1.2m tall, not counting their long, twisted horns.
This incredible scene was recorded in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. While drinking water, the impala suddenly noticed a black shadow rushing towards him at breakneck speed. It initially used spoofing to trick the hunter into moving in the direction it was running.
However, in just a split second, the antelope had a spectacular “turn of the wheel”. This action caused the lion to lose momentum, not have time to react and slide forward. Faced with a bad opening, the lion gave up and watched helplessly as his prey escaped.
In the wild, antelopes always face constant threats from feline predators such as lions, jaguars, … or some other species such as hyenas, wild dogs, and crocodiles.
Therefore, nature has endowed antelopes with very sharp senses and a compact body, allowing them to flexibly handle when taken on hunts. The way to escape with the identity of an antelope is the consecutive jumps, and continuously change direction in a zigzag pattern, making the enemy extremely difficult to capture.