Johan Theunissen, Moosa Varachia and Kerry Balaam submitted their dramatic video of the encounter to Latest Sightings. Unfortunately, we don’t have details on where the incident occurred.
Setting the scene
According to the report sent to Latest Sightings, they found a mother leopard with her two sub-adult cubs. While the mother and one of the cubs rested at the base of a tree, the other cub fed on a kill wedged in the branches of the tree.
A while later, a passing troop of baboons spotted them and went on the offensive. On the ground, the mother and cub fled, leaving the second cub stranded up the tree. Seeing this, the baboons focused their anger on the treed youngster.
Cornered
As its mother and sibling fled the enraged baboons, the abandoned cat had limited options. As they surrounded the base of the tree, other members of the troop moved in, cornering it in a thick tangle of thin branches.
Of course, leopards are no shrinking violets, and this one was no exception. With ears flattened against its head, it spat and snarled at its aggressors, effectively keeping them at bay.
No love lost
Meanwhile, among the baboons, there was no love lost for the leopard. Several males moved up the tree, forcing the leopard to retreat onto ever thinner branches in the trees canopy.
While leopards are very comfortable climbing trees, you’re more likely to see them draped over a sturdy branch than retreating into the twigs up top.
Wary watchers
Despite the aggression of the troop towards the leopard, they remained respectful of the threat it posed. So, after a while they were content to keep an eye on it from a safe distance. All the while, the troop continued to badger it with verbal abuse.
Stalemate
Having forced the leopard to retreat, but with neither party willing to go on an outright offensive, a stalemate ensued. As time wore on, members of the troop began to look decidedly bored with the whole situation.
For its part, the leopard was taking no chances. All it could do was keep an eye on proceedings from its prickly perch.
Over the next half an hour, the baboons would launch the occasional intimidatory advance. However, they remained reluctant to get too close to the leopard, well aware of the devastation it could wreak.
Meanwhile, vultures started to gather in the surrounding trees, eager to get at the remains of the now abandoned kill.
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Hungry and bored
As time dragged on, the baboons began to lose interest in the leopard, realising that there would be no clear winner in this interaction. Accordingly, they started moving off, probably hungry after all the drama of the morning.
With that, the leopard got a welcome reprieve. Scanning the ground below, he descended the tree to look for his mother and sibling.
No doubt, the fortunate feline would have a few things to say to his kin if and when they finally reunited. On the plus side, he did survive the encounter and hopefully learnt some valuable lessons.