Rival predators typically take a rather dim view of each other’s existence, as their very presence can be a potential problem. Sometimes, though, it seems that these animals can settle into a wary peace.
Jordan Nell captured this extraordinary sighting near the Elephant Plains Game Lodge in the Northen Sabi-Sands region. He filmed a leopard and hyena that would normally be vehemently opposed to each other, and yet still shared a meal.
On The Hunt
The safari group had heard about a male leopard out and about in the area, and they decided to go looking for it in the afternoon. Leopards are elusive big cats so they aren’t easy to find, even when they’re definitely around.
Jordan’s group was lucky that they managed to locate the big cat they were looking for, and right when it was about to hunt a large nyala bull. They watched as the leopard stalked it before starting its take down.
Jordan told Latest Sightings that they were “absolutely blown away by the power of the male leopard as well as the fight the nyala put up”, but ultimately the leopard was able to bring down its massive prey.
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A Sudden Arrival
Leopards tend to live and hunt alone, which makes them vulnerable to sneaky scavengers which will try and steal their food. This is the main reason that they tend to store carcasses in the branches of trees.
The sounds of a scuffle can also alert any scavengers in the area that there might be some spoils for them if they’re lucky. All of this means that ideally the leopard would take this nyala and immediately stash it somewhere safe.
Instead, the leopard crouched and started eating then and there, perhaps needing to replenish the energy it had expended bringing it down in the first place. But this meant there was time for a curious hyena to come and see if it could steal some food.
An Unexpected Friendship
This leopard had just put a considerable amount of effort into hunting the nyala bull and bringing it down, this food was essential for its survival and a carcass of this size could have kept the leopard fed for a long time.
The most likely course of action for the big cat would have been to do its best to scare the hyena away. Hyenas are persistent and creative, but this leopard had already proved its own strength by bringing down such impressive prey.
Instead of trying to intimidate or deter the hyena, this leopard didn’t really respond to it at all. There was a little growling, but minimal posturing and the two beasts quickly settled into their meal together.
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A Meal For Two
Perhaps the leopard was thinking more tactically, and it knew that there was enough meat for it to let the hyena eat its fill before dragging the nyala carcass to a more secure position. At least this way it wouldn’t have to risk another fight.
This was a win for the hyena which was able to tuck into an easy meal that it could enjoy without having to put any effort in itself to capture it, so through the leopard sharing its kill, both animals won in the end.
