African Python swallows Impala

by Newton van Dam
(Perth Western Australia)

I was in Kruger 3 years ago, enjoying a cruise around the Satara area, when I saw an Impala, grunting at the ground. Looking closer I saw that there was a baby impala, being strangled by a snake, all right in front of me, just off to the side of the road.

I was amazed at what I was wittnessing, as I sat and watched the Python slowly swallowed the impala head first, the whole time the poor mother was watching!
It took about 3 hours for the impala to be completly gone, finally seeing the snake reconnect its jaw. I've attached just a few of the many high def shots i took, understanding that you don't see this everyday.
Amazing Africa!
Regards
Newton van Dam, Perth, Western Australia

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May 06, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Superb sighting!
by: Warren

In all our years of visiting the Kruger we have never seen this - great sighting and pics!
May 04, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		What a sighting
by: AnonymousIrvine

Thank you for sharing this. Indeed a rare sighting!
May 04, 2012
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		wow wow wow
by: Jenny

Wow Newton, what a great story and pics to go with it, I really feel very sorry for the mom impala having to watch as her baby is eaten. Thanks for sharing this amazing sighting with us.

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