[imagesource: YouTube / Latest Sightings]

Hyenas have a bit of an unfair reputation.

Perhaps some of that stems from their depiction in The Lion King, where they’re painted with an unfortunate brush.

In reality, they are opportunistic hunters and scavengers who fulfil a vital role in the ecosystem, even if that goes largely unnoticed by many.

When a hyena chases after a leopard cub, you can bet the public at large is going to side with the cub.

The chase below was captured by 30-year-old Moosa Varachia. He was on a game drive in the Kruger National Park, and shared his story with Latest Sightings:

“We had just had an incredible sighting of a male leopard at the Nwaswitshaka waterhole and it was time for the dreaded drive to the gate which brings the end to the day. We stopped on the S1 and there was a young leopard sitting in the dense bush. We took some photos and videos and were just about to leave when I looked up and saw a clan of hyena approaching!”

“I knew that this situation may not end well for the leopard cub.”

No spoilers from my side until you’ve watched the chase for yourself.

Skip ahead to the 1:50 mark and you’ll see things kick off:

Clapping when the pilot successfully lands the plane – cringe.

Clapping when the leopard cub escaped up the tree – I guess I can get behind that.

While we have your attention, we may as well feature another unusual leopard sighting.

In the video below, filmed by Sabre Rayne Meeser and shared with Latest Sightings, a leopard cub drops an entire impala on its mother’s head.

See from the 45-second mark:

Impeccable aim.

[source:latestsightings]