June 19, 2018 – This male leopard is eating a warthog it stalked and killed. It’s working on devouring the warthog’s head and snout. Ranger Guy Brunskill filmed the feast at Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa. At first, it appeared to be typical leopard behavior.But then, witnesses were surprised to see the leopard use the warthog jaw bone …as what they described as a “tool” for opening up the carcass.

Luke Hunter, Chief Conservation Officer for Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organization says that while the behavior is unusual, it is not tool use. Hunter believes the leopard is excited about its food, and is using the bone as a toy.Leopards, cheetahs, and lions all use inanimate objects for play.But when it comes to eating a kill, Hunter says, “they just don’t need to employ tools.”

June 19, 2018 – This male leopard is eating a warthog it stalked and killed. It’s working on devouring the warthog’s head and snout. Ranger Guy Brunskill filmed the feast at Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa. At first, it appeared to be typical leopard behavior.But then, witnesses were surprised to see the leopard use the warthog jaw bone …as what they described as a “tool” for opening up the carcass.

Luke Hunter, Chief Conservation Officer for Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organization says that while the behavior is unusual, it is not tool use. Hunter believes the leopard is excited about its food, and is using the bone as a toy.Leopards, cheetahs, and lions all use inanimate objects for play.But when it comes to eating a kill, Hunter says, “they just don’t need to employ tools.”