Leopard adopts baby impala at South Africa's Kruger National Park

An orphaned baby impala has avoided a swift demise by becoming firm friends with a leopard who initially looked determined to kill it.

Tourists at South Africa's Kruger National Park stumbled upon the unusual pair hanging out under the shade of a tree.

A video posted online this week shows what appears to be the first meeting of the pair.

It starts off looking grim for the lamb as the leopard spots it and bounds forward.

But after a quick chase, the two wild animals seem to be playing and soon lie down for a rest as they nuzzle each other's faces.

The leopard appears to have adopted the impala, however it could be a case of the predator playing with its next meal like a cat batting a mouse with its paws.

The YouTube account for Kruger National Park said the filmmaker had to leave and the fate of the lamb was unknown.

"In my opinion, the impala didn't make it," the uploader commented

However, it would not be the first time a predator has become friends with its prey.

Last month a Siberian tiger was befriended by a goat at a Russian zoo and the pair became inseparable.