In the wild, making a kill isn’t always a guarantee of a feast. There are many predators and scavengers contending for fresh kills and carcasses as this leopard discovered shortly after it had killed a warthog.
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The lion had been lurking nearby and had heard the distressed cries of the warthog and decided to intervene. There could have been a breathtaking showdown between the leopard and the lion, however, the leopard wasn’t going to take any chances and fled the scene, avoiding conflict.
Leopard Spies Warthog In Thick Of Bushveld
It all started when the leopard closed in on the lone warthog in the bushy terrain near the Crocodile Bridge.
Leopards are used to hunting in dense bushveld, and this one showed its skill at hunting, ambushing the warthog with its sheer determination and muscular power.
The warthog did not immediately succumb to the attack. It held its ground, doing its utmost to remain standing. To fall down would be to give the leopard a sure victory.
However, this leopard was a skilled hunter and bit at the animal’s throat. These tactics are used for the purpose of killing and are perhaps merciful towards the prey, which, through a faster death, is set free from the pain of the attack.
Eventually, the warthog was sufficiently weakened, and the leopard managed to pull it to the ground.
However, the warthog continued to hold on to life. Its movements could still be visibly seen, and its cries of distress could be heard.
Lioness Hears Commotion And Heads For The Kill
It wasn’t just the spectators who could hear the commotion. A lone lioness wandered through the bushveld nearby and heard the warthog’s cries.
She walked with purpose across the grassy floor of the veld, making a beeline for where the leopard lay with the warthog. The warthog was still not dead, and the tension in the moment was palpable… especially since the leopard hadn’t yet seen the lioness.
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However, as she got closer, the leopard looked up. Knowing it stood no chance against the lioness, it bolted off into the distance, out of sight.
The distressed warthog lay on the ground, close to death, as the lioness approached it. As she overshadowed it, it could be seen moving briefly before growing still.
She quickly ended its life, finishing what the leopard had taken so long to do.
Lioness Runs Off Carrying Leopard’s Kill
Then off she ran in a triumphal procession, carrying her trophy in her mouth. The warthog’s lifeless body hung limply as she ran off, away from the camera and into the heart of the bushveld.
Such is nature: one wins and another loses. In this instance, the warthog had lost its life, and a leopard had lost its prey. However, a lioness went off to enjoy a feast as the victor of the moment.
Nature has its way of humbling even the strongest, and the fierce leopard no doubt hid away for a few moments, possibly to return later in search of more prey.