With leopards being their main predator, baboons are always on the lookout for these cryptically-marked cats. In this video, an exposed leopard gets given his marching orders.
Jaun Slabbert sent this interesting footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it on the H1-2 in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Watch the video here:
A blur of movement
The video, shot from a moving vehicle, begins with a view of the adjacent bush. Blurred against the drab background, we see movement parallel to the vehicle.
Something is running through the dry woodland. As we look closer, the creature’s dappled markings give us a clue as to what it might be.
Leopard on the go
Subsequently, a leopard comes into view, confirming our suspicions. Primarily nocturnal, leopards normally rest during the day.
Furthermore, adding to the peculiarity of the sighting is that the leopard is moving along quite rapidly. Like most cats, they prefer to conserve their energy for when they are hunting. Therefore, for it to be running during the heat of the day, something unusual must be going on.
Provoked primates
Subsequently, the reason for its atypical behaviour when a big male baboon comes into view on the left of the image.
However, if you look carefully, you’ll see the leopard’s spotted cloak a few metres ahead of the baboon. Yes, the baboon is chasing the leopard and not the other way around, as you’d expect.
Leopards are the mortal enemy of baboons. Consequently, when these intelligent primates spot them, they employ mob tactics to drive them off.
Prolonged pursuit
As the chase goes on, it is evident that the baboon means business. As for the leopard, all he wants to do is resume his hidden ways.
Additionally, at various times, other baboons join the chase. By banding together against opponents, they provide a collective defence for the whole troop.
Baboon society is very well organised. While some provide close protection for the most vulnerable members, others assume sentry roles to alert their kin of potential threats, like this leopard.
Redundant refuge
As the chase continues, the leopard runs past a large tree. Typically, when threatened, leopards climb trees to escape their aggressors.
However, the leopard seems to know that baboons are equally adept in trees. The last thing he wants is for the rest of the troop to catch up and corner him in a tree.
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Fearsome foes
At times, the brave baboon gets within touching distance of the predator. Both animals are incredibly strong with massive canines. A fight to the death could literally go either way.
For the leopard, however, knowledge that there are other baboons close by deters him from turning on the chasing male. Collectively, they could tear the leopard to pieces.
Conclusion unknown
As the video nears completion, the leopard heads into a gulley with the baboons still in pursuit.
Consequently, we don’t know how the interaction panned out. Nonetheless, the footage shows that predators don’t always win, especially when their strengths are exposed in the harsh light of day.