Leopard vs. Monkey: Epic tree chase video

A monkey at the top of a tree in Africa seemed to have no way of escaping a leopard that had climbed halfway up the tree and was closing in.

But the monkey had a clever plan.

The monkey outsmarted the leopard by jumping back and forth from one upper limb to another while the leopard went back and forth between the base of those two limbs, nearly falling out of the tree on one transition.

Wildfriends Africa posted an Instagram video of the epic tree chase that unfolded during an African safari.

“This leopard thought it had an easy meal…but oh no, today it’s a masterclass in survival!” the description in the post stated. “An electrifying standoff unfolds—pure agility versus pure patience. The monkey twists, leaps, and mocks from the treetops, while the leopard seethes below, every muscle coiled, every eye locked.

“The tension is unbearable—who will outsmart who? One wrong move and it’s game over. This isn’t just a hunt, it’s a battlefield of wits and instincts!

“An absolutely unreal sighting on a game drive safari.”

Unfortunately, the video does not answer one critical question, as one commenter asked, “Where’s the end?”

Indeed, what happened in the end? Did the leopard give up and abandon its chase? Did the monkey tire itself out, make a mistake and fall victim to its predator?

We don’t really know the answer, though several commenters on the post claimed that the monkey did eventually get captured and eaten by the leopard.

But one commenter had another theory:

“Legend has it they are still there, jumping.”