Lions are highly territorial and need to be ready to defend what is theirs. In this complex video, a group of intruders is taught an important lesson.
Mohammed Kathrada submitted this footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it near the Orpen Lookout in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Watch the video here:
Giraffe kill
The sighting begins with a view of a lion pride feasting on a baby giraffe. As the male and cubs eat, a lioness notices intruders in the distance.
Subsequently, she and two lionesses set off to investigate. They’ve spotted a lioness from a rival pride.
Initially, the intruder seems unperturbed by the approaching residents. However, when they start running toward her, she bolts.
Then, as they run off into the distance, the dominant male of the intruding pride comes into view. He’s spotted the residents, and chases them in turn.
Back at the kill
Meanwhile, back at the kill, the resident male is unaware of the unfolding drama. He is not easily distracted when food is available.
However, when another intruding female approaches, he soon takes notice.
Amazingly, she attempts to join him at the carcass. Stunned by her audacity, the male rises to teach her a lesson in lion etiquette.
After a brief spat, she quickly submits and moves off to rest a short distance away. Content that his message has been received, he returns to the kill.
As he does, he notices another lionesses approaching.
More mouths to feed
This time, it is another of the resident females. She, however, is accompanied by her three cubs.
As she lies down, her cubs join their father at the kill. He accepts their presence, although he might not be so tolerant were an adult female to approach.
Who is she?
Subsequently, the newly-arrived lioness notices the intruder still lying nearby. Not happy that it is so close to her cubs, she rises to see it off.
However, as she passes behind the male, he assumes she too wants to feed. Already on edge after the earlier altercation, he gets up and lays into her.
Startled by the sudden violence, the cubs scamper off a short distance. However, as the male settles down, they return to feed alongside him.
Intruders return
In the meantime, the intruding male reappears. Apparently unaware of the resident male’s presence, he appears confident.
Little does he realise that he has now caught the attention of the resident male. But will this be enough of a provocation to distract the resident from his meal? Or will he too be granted a surprising amount of leeway?
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Rising to the challenge
As you can imagine, a male lion’s stature depends on his ability to protect his cubs, females, and food. Accordingly, he does what any self-respecting lion must do when someone threatens his rule.
Rising to the challenge, the resident finally relinquishes his place at the kill and goes to confront the intruder. On seeing his approach, the intruder lowers his head submissively.
The resident male, however, is having none of it. He knows that if he doesn’t land a blow, the slippery slope to his downfall will be steep.
Swift submission
Consequently, he struts right up to his rival before raising his paw to land a savage blow to the other lion’s head.
As he does, the intruder rolls onto his back, signalling his complete surrender.
And that is it. No big fight. Just a short, sharp statement that, while he may be a glutton, he is still in charge.
Point made, he turns his back on his vanquished foe and heads back to his pride and what remains of the giraffe.
It’s safe to assume the intruders will think twice before re-entering this territory.