There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
Unlucky python became the focus of an epic tug-of-war between two fearsome leopards.
The six-and-a-half-foot African rock python became the unwilling "rope" in the game, after being captured by a female leopard in the long grass.
*This image is copyright of its original author
But as she dragged it along behind her, she was ambushed by her over-zealous son who wanted to land the kill for himself.
The young male snatched the end of the enormous snake in his powerful jaws, and tried to tug it away from his mother.
The two big cats fought ferociously over their prey for half an hour, in front of stunned guests at the MalaMala game reserve in South Africa.
The brutal battle was only ended when the female leopard gave up, retreating to a tree while her son tucked into his prize.
But he only ate a morsel before deciding it was not to his taste, and discarding the snake's body in the long grass.
The unusual scene was caught on camera by American photographer Josh Scheinert, who was staying at the MalaMala reserve.
Antony Mulligan, 31, manager of the reserve, said: "It was a really incredible sight — it's very, very rare.
"I've never seen anything like it before. Just to see two adult leopards together is rare, so to get them in a tug of war situation like this is amazing.