Leopards are known for their remarkable ability to blend seamlessly into their environment, using their iconic spots as natural camouflage.
In this photo taken at Kenya’s Masai Mara, a stealthy leopard can be seen approaching its prey—but only if you look closely.
The image captured by German wildlife photographer Ingo Gerlach shows the leopard camouflaged against a tree as it climbs toward its meal. At first glance, the dark shape on the tree’s trunk might seem like a piece of bark.
However, closer inspection reveals the predator scaling the tree, aiming for an impala carcass in the branches above.
Gerlach, 64, shared the story behind the photo: “The leopard was jumping up the tree to reach its meal. It’s an impala that was hanging from the branches. The leopard was very shy, and I had to wait over five hours to get this shot. I was fortunate to spot it in the first place and even luckier to capture it as it went up the tree.”
The photographer emphasized how vital camouflage is for leopards during hunts. Their ability to stay hidden allows them to get close to prey—whether gazelles, antelopes, or impalas—without being noticed until it’s too late.
In a separate heartwarming moment, another wild cat stole the spotlight. A cheetah mom in Tanzania displayed incredible patience as three playful cubs climbed on her, vying for attention.
Janice Wei, an animal enthusiast, captured the footage during a recent trip, showing the young cheetahs treating their mother as a climbing post. At the same time, a fourth cub sat quietly, seemingly perplexed by all the chaos around it.
Read more Wildlife News.