This is the moment a hungry leopard gulped down its catch in double quick time before scavenging birds of prey could get their talons into its kill.

The big cat was pictured gnawing away at the carcass after dragging it up a tree in Kruger National Park, South Africa as its winged rivals circled above.

Eventually, after feasting on its prey, the leopard could be seen leaping to another tree – sparking a scramble among birds looking for a free dinner.

The dramatic pictures were taken by photographer Ernest Porter who spotted the leopard feeding on the dead impala while he was on holiday.

He said: ‘We noticed a dead impala in the tree below the leopard. As the leopard moved down to the dead impala things got a little more exciting.

‘I noticed a Hooded vulture flying above which came in for the landing, however when he saw the leopard busy eating the prey he abandoned the landing and flew off.

‘As we drove past the same tree two days later we spotted a Tawny Eagle feasting on the remains of the Impala. There was also a juvenile Bateleur perched a few metres away from the tree.’

A hungry leopard gulped down its catch in double quick time after dragging it up a tree to keep the meat away from nagging birds of prey

The big cat was pictured gnawing away at the carcass after dragging it up a tree in Kruger National Park, South Africa as its winged rivals circled above

Eventually, after feasting on its prey, the leopard could be seen leaping to another tree – sparking a scramble among birds looking for a free dinner

Scavenging birds of prey soon moved in to pick at the remains of the leopard’s kill after the big cat had jumped away to another tree

Dinner time: The hungry leopard made quick work of its prey after hauling it up a tree in South Africa’s Kruger National Park

Big gulp: The big cat wasted no time tucking into its dinner as nagging birds of prey tried to feed on the scraps

The animal, which had dragged its prey up a tree, gnawed at the carcass rapidly with numerous birds of prey flying over head

My turn! A bird of prey moved in quickly after the leopard abandoned its food. The bird can be seen clambering over the dead animal’s head

These two birds moved in for a free feed after the big cat had jumped away from its branch. The scenes were captured in South Africa’s Kuger National Park

Nothing goes to waste in Kruger National Park and as soon as the leopard had left its prey, scavengers moved in for some free food

Birds of prey fought amongst each other as they scrambled to get their talons on the remains of the dead animal

Free dinner: The dramatic pictures were taken in May when a photographer spotted the leopard feeding in a tree

Taking flight: A bird of prey flies high above as it waits for an opportunity to pick at the remains left by the hungry leopard

Keep off! The leopard roared in an attempt to keep the birds away from his kill after it had dragged the dead animal up a tree

These dramatic pictures was taken in May when a photographer spotted the leopard feeding in a tree

Sitting pretty: The leopard stayed on the look out from another tree nearby as the birds of prey descended on his kill

On the move: Stunning pictures captured the moment the leopard leapt from one branch to another as it looked to protect its prey

Meat feast: A hungry bird of prey digs its sharp talons into the leopard’s prey as it picks away at the carcass

Hide and seek: Dramatic pictures show the hungry leopard leaping from branch to branch in the trees of Kruger National Park

In a flap: A giant bird of prey prepares to take flight in Kruger National Park after feasting on a carcass left behind by a leopard