In all likelihood, however, the hyena had stolen the meal from the leopard in the first place However, it is hard to say, since, in addition to being scavengers, hyenas can also be formidable hunters.
The rare encounter was witnessed by Dave Reed in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
Leopard escapes up tree following heated skirmish with hyena
The leopard and hyena had been involved in a heated skirmish beneath a tree before the leopard had rushed up that tree.
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Leopards are skilled climbers and this hyena had no chance of reaching the leopard once it had sought refuge in the tree.
The only problem was that the leopard was now removed from the carcass, which had been the reason for the heated fight in the first place. The sought-after meal was now being enjoyed by the hyena in the long grass alongsde the tree.
Food is a valuable currency in the bushveld and animals often fight over this valuble resource.
In this instance, the poor leopard had to watch as the hyena ate from the carcass. All the while it was left calculating its next move, having a clear viewpoint of the hyena’s every move from high up in the branches.
Leopard stalks towards feeding hyena
The leopard could be seen gradually shifting its position. It slowly moved down the trunk and at one point, sat down as though to catch a few breaths, before continuing to stalk towards the hyena.
It demonstrated tremendous control in spite of the slope of the trunk, with its strong, agile form perfectly adapted for all kinds of environments, from rocky terrains to treetops.
When it finally made its appearance known to the hyena again, it was with sudden force and fury.
However, the hyena wasn’t about to let go of the meal. It held the meal with its jaws and put up quite a fight against the leopard’s attempts to overpower it.
Hyena evades leopard’s attempts to claim meal
Seizing the carcass, which appeared to be a male buck, with horns, the hyena dragged the lifeless prey down the rocky slope and back into the long grass.
It continued to feed in spite of the pesky leopard.
Back on the ground and now next to the sandy road, the hyena fed for a moment before the leopard appeared to try again challenge the hyena for the the food.
Hyena heads down sandy road to enjoy meal undisturbed
This time, the hyena wasn’t hanging around. It picked up the carcass and started to move down the road. If the leopard wasn’t going to relent, this hyena would make sure that it wasn’t hanging around on the leopard’s turf.
It had successfully won over the meal and it moved far enough down the sandy road to enjoy it… alone, without the leopard nearby.
Perhaps the leopard would return to disturb it again later, however, it seemed to have found a moment’s peace to enjoy its feast.
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