A leopard in a tree looks effortless, but the climb can serve many purposes.
A higher view
From a branch or rock ledge, a leopard can rest, scan the landscape or avoid disturbance on the ground.
Part of the leopard toolkit
Climbing is one of the traits that makes leopards such versatile cats. They are not locked into one style of terrain.
Wild bit: sometimes the best place to hide a leopard is above your eyeline.