Leopards are one of the few big cats that are completely at home in the trees. However, when a young male attempted a territorial takeover up in the branches, the resident quickly brought him back down to Earth.
Colin Holden of Chitwa Chitwa Lodge submitted this dramatic video. He filmed it while on a game drive in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.
Classic silhouette
Colin’s video opens with a shot that would be the envy of any wildlife photographer. Silhouetted against a cloudy sky, a leopard stands in the fork of a tree, gazing up at the lush canopy.
Just one look at its thick neck tells us that it is a male. According to Colin, its name is Notten, and he is just entering his prime, ready to challenge for a territory of his own.
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Power & elegance
After plotting his route upwards, the spotted beauty steadies himself on the adjacent trunk. As he does so, he tenses his muscles as he prepares to launch himself upwards.
Displaying the explosive power for which leopards are renowned, he easily leaps up the trunk. As he does, inch-long claws dig into the soft bark of the marula tree.
In seconds, he reaches the canopy, eager to confront a dangerous force of Nature that lurks above.
As a young male entering his prime, the cat feels invincible. Full of youthful bravado, he is confident that he can earn the right to call this tree and everything for miles around it his own.
The cat in the canopy
Subsequently, we realise that another male leopard is waiting in the canopy. It is the Tortoise Pan male (TP), born in 2016; he is still in his prime.
Leopards mature sexually at about two years of age, typically living between 12 and 17 years. Males secure territories that overlap with those of females from the age of four.
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Chaos in the canopy
According to Colin, while TP has been expanding his territory, he has had to deal with the twin threat of younger male leopards, namely Notten and Mzemba.
And, as soon becomes apparent, he is in no mood to have his treetop tranquillity disturbed. As Notten rises to meet him, TP lashes out.
His claws dig into Notten’s neck, pulling him from the tree. Dangling 6 metres above the ground, it’s obvious the younger cat has made a serious miscalculation.
Consequently, he has no choice but to fight back, hoping he frees himself before serious damage occurs. While male leopards will first use body language to defuse territorial disputes, when they do kick off, it is often with fatal consequences.
Consequently, things appear to be going from bad to worse when TP digs his fangs into his rival.
Fall from grace
Bizarrely, it therefore comes as a relief when TP lets go, perhaps at risk of falling out of the tree. From there, gravity takes over as Notten plunges to the ground.
Incredibly, even as he falls, TP is already racing headfirst down the tree. Meanwhile, Notten’s instincts kick in as he falls backwards.
Just like a house cat, he turns his head, locks onto the ground below, and twists his body, bringing his legs under him.
Thankfully, his landing is cushioned by a shrub below. Albeit somewhat undignified, he is safe. For now, as TP is in hot pursuit.
Wasting no time, Notten bolts…
Just as TP leaps to the ground, his eyes locked on the young upstart.
Colin is dumbstruck by the spectacle he’s just witnessed, as TP sets off after Notten.
While this battle may be over, the war will no doubt continue.