Watch: Leopard stands on two legs ‘like a human’ in rare safari sighting, leaves internet stunned

A rare moment from South Africa’s Kruger National Park is making waves online– a leopard was spotted standing upright on its hind legs during a safari near Kumana Dam. The unusual sighting, caught on camera by Marie Tardan, has now gone viral across social media.Footage captures leopard’s unusual movementThe video, now viral, was first shared on the Facebook page ‘Latest Sightings - Kruger,’ a go-to source for wildlife moments from the park. It shows a leopard pausing mid-hunt while quietly tracking impalas, then, in an unexpected move, rising onto its hind legs and standing tall, leaving viewers stunned.As quoted by India Today, the caption shared by the page reads, “While this leopard was ambushing some impala, it suddenly sat up on its hind legs to get a better view.

Then, making the scene even more unusual, it stood entirely upright on its back legs, exactly like a human, for an even better view! It looked so comfortable doing this that it must do this all the time.”Though rarely seen, the behaviour gave a brief yet striking glimpse of the leopard adjusting its posture, likely trying to get a clearer view of its surroundings.Wildlife officer and netizens reactIndian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan also shared the clip on X, adding, “That leopard is looking at his food by standing on two legs.

Leopards are one of the most versatile creatures on earth. From Kruger.”The video has drawn wide engagement online, with several users reacting to the leopard’s movement. A user commented, “Leopards are not loud hunters. They are quiet listeners. Every movement they make is calculated. Every glance has purpose.”Another response focused on wildlife coexistence, stating, “Preserve and create an environment for animals to co-exist with humans.

Neither should interfere in each other’s matters as humanely as possible.”A third viewer remarked, “Never seen a leopard standing like this... thanks for sharing.”Not common, but instinct-drivenWhile a leopard standing upright might seem unusual, online reports, including a recent report by India Today, suggest that it's often an instinctive response. In places where tall grass or uneven terrain blocks their view, leopards may briefly rise on their hind legs to check for movement or potential danger while hunting.This moment, captured at just the right time, gives a rare glimpse into the kind of split-second decisions wild animals make in their natural surroundings.The short video continues to spread online, offering a fresh window into the unpredictable and fascinating moments that nature holds.