When it is time to give birth, lionesses find a secluded spot to hide their newborn cubs from danger. In this video, a mother lion bravely defends her den from a pair of intruding lionesses.
Rosa Swart sent this footage to Latest Sightings. She filmed it near to Shingwedzi Camp in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Watch the video here:
As Rosa’s video starts, we’re thrown right into the action. Two lionesses stumbled upon a third lioness, thought to be resting near her den site. A fight ensues.
From the behaviour that follows, we’re led to assume that the lionesses are from different prides. Lions are highly territorial, and will attack any intruding lions. Even if they are new mothers.
Outnumbered
Although she is outnumbered two-to-one, the lioness does her best to defend herself. She rolls onto her back, presenting four massive paws which rake the air looking for a target.
Even so, as she fends off one opponent, the other darts in to deliver a painful bite. If this carries on too long, she will be in serious trouble. As will her unseen cubs.
Even if they don’t kill her outright, any serious injury will prevent her from hunting. If she can’t hunt, both she and her cubs will starve.
Relief
Consequently, it comes as a relief when the two attacking lionesses suddenly withdraw. While we can’t be sure why, it is possible that they, too, want to avoid serious injury.
Subsequently, there is a stand-off. The mother lion snarls at her attackers, warning them not to come closer. When one does, she lashes out and narrowly misses landing a severe blow to its head.
As a result, the two lionesses back off. But they are far from beaten.
De-escalation
To proclaim their victory, they roar. These vocalisations are meant to declare their dominance over the intruder and their territory.
Then, they stand over the mother as she lies submissively before them. Their respective body language is communicating their understanding of the hierarchy between them.
By using sound and posture, instead of violence, they begin to de-escalate the situation.
They then spray urine on the ground, marking the territory as their own.
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Drawn-out drama
Despite all the de-escalatory behaviour, the situation remains tense. The resident lions keep a close eye on the lone lioness.
Meanwhile, the mother lion remains in her position, although we don’t know whether this is due to injury or defiance.
Second skirmish
Moments later, one of the lionesses turns back towards the mother lion. What sets this in motion is unclear.
Even though the mother has maintained her submissive posture, she is attacked again.
Seconds later, the other lion joins in, and once again, it is a blur of fangs, claws, and flying fur.
Struggling to defend herself against a tag-team attack, the mother is bitten in the spine. This has the potential to cripple her.
However, she remains mobile, and eventually the assault comes to an end. Once again, the residents reinforce their dominance with loud roaring.
Subsequently, they back off, leaving the mother to lick her wounds. As the video comes to an end, it looks like the pair are ready to move on.
For the sake of the brave mother, we hope this was the end of the ordeal.