Lioness springs out of nowhere and catches impalas unaware

By Simon Tomlinson for MailOnline

Published: 14 April 2015 

This is the dramatic moment a pair of sparring impalas are ambushed by a lioness with deadly consequences.

Tourist Augustine Matthews had quickly drawn her video camera to record the duel between the two African antelopes as they fought at dusk.

But with her attention focused on the battle, a lioness careers into view from out of shot and dramatically leaps onto one of the males.

The impala makes a desperate attempt to flee, but is ruthlessly taken down by the lionness, which sinks its teeth into its prey.

Augustine, from Gold Coast, Australia, captured the stunning footage during a holiday to the Masaai Mara Conservancy in Kenya late last year.  

Blissfully unaware: Two impalas lock horns on the Masaai Mara Conservancy in Kenya not knowing they are in their predator's sights

Duel: The sparring impalas fight it out while being filmed by Australian tourist Augustine Matthews on the Masaai Mara Conservancy

Taken by surprise: From out of nowhere, a lioness springs into view while the impalas were concentrating on their battle

Caught off guard: The lioness sinks its claws into one of the African antelopes after ambushing the pair mid-fight

With the camera focused on the battle, the lioness suddenly careers into view from out of shot and dramatically leaps onto one of the males

Gripping encounter: The impala makes a desperate attempt to run to safety, but the lion digs it claws in and hangs on

Finished off: The lionness sinks its teeth into its prey in footage taken by Australian tourist Augustine Matthews in Kenya.

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