This is the dramatic moment a leopard attacked a baby buffalo in front of shocked drivers – before being chased up a tree.

The big cat stalked the wandering herd through bushes before pouncing on the tiny animal in Palatupana, Sri Lanka, on February 1.

It then dragged the victim out from the bushes across a dirt track road in front of astonished drivers, who stopped to let the scene play out.

Footage shows how the beast had the baby by the scruff of the neck while it was being chased by the older buffalo.

However, they surrounded the snarling leopard and forced it to release the baby. As the leopard fought, more buffalo joined to help release the younger creature.

Onlooker Andrew Fernando watched as the trembling little baby broke free and the leopard was forced to take refuge up a tree, as the older buffalo looked for revenge.

He said: ‘At one point the leopard had to cross a creek. It was astonishing.

‘What was clear is that he was an experienced hunter. He closed the distance fully and crept up to the herd completely unseen.

‘He bided his time, continuing to stalk the herd, until a calf was in striking distance. Then attacked.

The adult buffalo weren’t having it though. The leopard was trying to drag the calf away, but the buffalo surround him and both stomped and gauged him with their horns. It was a melee.’

Passing driver Harshana said he heard the noise coming from the verge so he pulled over to see what was happening.

He said: ‘I couldn’t believe what was happening right in front of me. I heard the attack happening in the bushes and stopped to watch.

‘I was lucky enough to witness the whole event. The baby buffalo broke free and had some injuries around its shoulder from where he was being dragged but was otherwise OK.’