Breathtaking Moment Tiny Impala Defends Its Territory By Jumping In Front Of An Intruding Elephant

It is obvious that this impala didn’t notice the approaching elephant

Maryjane

• Published in Animal Stories
• October 4, 2022

Impalas are medium-sized antelopes with the appearance of a cross between a goat and a deer. They have long legs and necks, as well as black, twisted horns, and are excellent runners.

They are related to goats, cattle, and sheep as members of the Bovidae family, and as one would expect, they eat grass and vegetables. Impalas are diurnal, meaning they are most active in the early morning and shortly before sunset.

During the rainy season, impalas congregate in herds of hundreds to move and graze together. During the dry season, the herds roam together in search of food.

Males can be territorial during the rainy season, herding females around a territorial area. They also engage in territorial behavior toward other animals that enter their territory or herd.

Enjoy this breathtaking moment when an Impala comes face-to-face with a much larger elephant. A wildlife photographer happened to be in the right place at the right time to capture the tiny animal leaping into the air in front of the massive mammal, with no regard for the elephant's size.

The unusual scene occurred in Botswana's Mashatu Game Reserve. The agile impalas are well known for their amazing jumping capacity. They can leap enormous distances, mostly to protect themselves from or flee from predators, but it turns out they can also do it for entertainment.

A wildlife photographer was at the right place at the right time to capture the tiny animal leaping into the air just in front of the massive mammal

Janet Kleyn, 52, was trying to capture some nice shots of an elephant approaching a pond in the reserve when she witnessed the once-in-a-lifetime moment. The Impala leaped to its feet as if it had springs on its heels.

She was photographing an elephant approaching the water from an underground photographic hide in Mashatu Game Reserve. The impala was drinking to the left and suddenly jumped into my viewfinder, where she got the shot.

Janet Kleyn, 52, was trying to catch some nice shots of an elephant when she witnessed the once-in-a lifetime moment

Although it appears that the Impala and the elephant had a friendly encounter, the tiny antelope was actually defending its territory because it saw the elephant as an intruder.

The way impalas jump is thought to be a way for them to show off and demonstrate their strength and ability to an intruder who has walked into their territory.

This impala clearly did not notice the approaching elephant. He had only just noticed him as he approached the water. The elephant, on the other hand, remained calm and friendly.

Although the moment seems more like a friendly encounter between the two, the tiny antelope was actually trying to defend its territory as it sees the elephant as an intruder

Big or small, carnivores or herbivores, all animals will do anything within their strength to defend their territory or herd from potential invaders. This Impala is no exception to this territorial defense against invaders.

It was really an entertaining scene, and we hope you enjoyed it. Let us know your reactions in the comments section below.

Maryjane