A showdown between a lioness and a leopardess could get interesting. Both predators display incredible hunting prowess and have unique qualities which make them formidable opponents in wild.
However, this encounter between lioness and leopardess didn’t end in a showdown. Still, it made for incredible viewing, as Valentin, who captured the entire experience on his camera, later testified.
Valentin and his entourage were on their way to Olifantsrus campsite on an 18-day safari in the park. This was their first day, and while just beginning their wildlife adventure, they were about to be welcomed in by a breathtaking display of nature’s power and beauty.
One of Valentin’s guest’s announced, ‘Lioness!’ and in the bushveld ahead, they saw her: a majestic lioness sitting right in the open near to a body of water.
No sooner had they seen the lioness when another animal appeared, arriving to drink from the waterhole. The animal was substantially smaller than the lioness, however, just as magnificent.
A leopard!
Lioness and leopardess cross paths
It appeared there would be a confrontation between the two animals. Both are by nature territorial; and are stealth predators.
The lioness moved towards the female leopard, and crouched down as she continued to move forwards. She was stalking the young leopard as though she were prey.
At the same time, the leopardess seemed unaware of the lioness’s presence. “We all tensed up and waited, preparing ourselves for the dramatic but truly wild moment that had to follow,” said Valentin.
Both the leopard and the lioness are dominant predators at the top of the food chain, each possessing distinct abilities and strategies for survival.
The leopard excels in ambush and stealth tactics, being more compact and nimble. It also specialises in swift and decisive attacks, using the cover of vegetation or the dark of night to its advantage.
On the other hand, the lioness is larger and possesses greater strength, relying on teamwork to secure prey.
While the leopard is a solitary animal, the lioness hunts alongside other members of her pride, coordinating attacks to bring down larger animals which would be difficult to catch alone.
Should leopardess and lioness come face to face, which would win? Judging from the size of the lioness and her awareness of the leopardess, which seemed unaware of the threat, the lioness had the clear advantage.
Valentin recalled the tentative moment: “My guests had their cameras ready, and, I too, started to film as steadily as possible while trying to contain my emotions. This was incredibly exciting!”
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The lioness continued to stalk quietly. She must’ve been moving with such precision as her silent movements were undetected by the leopardess. From her tensing muscles it appeared she was preparing to launch her attack.
Leopardess alerted to silent stalking
However, as her excitement built up, the leopardess noticed movement and realising the threat, heightened its vigilance and straightened up, preparing to take flight.
“For a moment, the two stared at each other,” said Valentin.
However, the leopard wasn’t about to hang around. It turned with great haste and with phenomenal speed, bolted off into the thicket.
The lioness pursued, but when she saw the leopard was unreachable, turned to walk back towards the water.
“After missing her chance, the lioness returned toward the Mopani thickets where she was lying at first,” said Valentin.
What could have been an incredible showdown, turned out to be a great escape.
Leopardess finds refuge in thorny bush
Following the tracks of the leopardess to see where she had run off to, Valentin eventually spotted her up a ‘very uncomfortable thorny bush;. However, while the bush might have been prickly and uncomfortable, being here definitely beat being in the firing line of a lioness!
“We stuck around for an hour or so to see if she would finally calm down and come back down from the tree,” said Valentin. “Sadly she only came about halfway down the tree when it was time for us to return to camp as the gates were about to close. All bush lovers can confirm: it’s always like this on safari.”