Field guide Kris Harrison sent this tense video to Latest Sightings. She filmed it near Xaranna Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Beautiful leopards
Kris was viewing a female leopard resting in a tree before the incident unfolded.
As she marvelled at its beauty, she was delighted when it was joined by its tiny cub, just a few months old.
Ever alert, the mother constantly scanned the surroundings from her elevated position. And with good reason.
Lions on the hunt
A short time later, both Kris and the leopard spotted some zebras grazing in the long grass. A short while later, two lionesses arrived and made an unsuccessful attempt to catch one.
Consequently, both became concerned when the lions made a beeline towards their position. Lions have little tolerance for other predators and won’t hesitate to kill them if given the opportunity.
Diversion
As the lions got closer, the mother leopard left the tree, probably to divert attention away from her vulnerable cub. Showing remarkable bravery, she hid in the grass as the lions approached.
However, one of the lions sensed the leopard’s presence and began to stalk. Thankfully, the leopard realised and managed to flee when the lion pounced.
Time to hide
Meanwhile, the cub, having witnessed what was going on down below, decided it was time to make itself scarce.
As the lions made their way to the base of the tree, Kris was increasingly concerned for the leopards’ safety.
Barely hidden
While the mother leopard had retreated to hide in the scant canopy of the tree, the cub had hidden in a cleft in its trunk.
Despite Kris’s fervent hopes, the lioness then climbed up the tree, carefully sniffing for any sign of the leopard. In a heart-stopping moment, the lion paused to inspect the cleft where the cubs remained hidden.
Thankfully, it then turned its attention to the carcass of a young warthog, wedged in the branches further up.
Unbeknownst to the lioness, the mother leopard remained motionless just metres above it.
Tension escalates
However, when the second lioness arrived, the stakes rose even higher. If the lions discovered either the mother or the cub, they would surely kill them.
The first lioness chose not to share her prize, preferring to dine at leisure in the tree. The only problem was that she was feeding directly over the cub’s hiding place.
What are the chances?
Then, the unthinkable happened when the leg of the warthog fell off, disappearing into the cleft.
Making matters worse, it seems the lioness was determined to retrieve the fallen scraps as it tried to retrieve them from the hole in the trunk.
For several heart-stopping moments, the lioness doggedly tried to extract the remains. However, despite her best efforts, her paws were too big to get at them.
Of course, we will never know what was happening with the cub throughout this ordeal. We can only imagine it was terrified, although thankfully it remained undetected.
Thwarted
With her efforts thwarted, the lioness eventually gave up and descended the tree before moving away from the scene.
Seeing her nemesis depart, the mother leopard gingerly emerged from her leafy hiding place.
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Is my baby ok?
Naturally, she, like Kris, was concerned for the well-being of the cub. Immediately, she inspected the cleft for any signs of life.
Initially, when the cub didn’t emerge, Kris got increasingly worried. Was the cub dead, injured or, worse yet, stuck?
After what seemed like an age, both Kris and the mother leopard were greeted with the sight they’d been hoping for.
After staying hidden under trying circumstances, the cub emerged unscathed at the feet of the mother leopard!
Time to move
After a few moments of bonding, the mother decided that the site was no longer safe. Gently picking up her cub in her jaws, she descended the tree in search of a new den site.
Equally relieved, Kris decided to leave the pair to enjoy their reunion in peace.
With up to half of all leopard cubs not surviving their first year, this amazing result is all the more worthy of celebration.