The lion went right out of his comfort zone in his attempts to steal the leopard’s prey.
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However, while the lion might’ve been King of the Jungle, the leopard was arguably King of the Treetops, and the lion couldn’t quite match the agile predator’s skills in climbing.
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On the ground, the lion might’ve outshone the leopard, but here in the treetops, the leopard was boss.
A peaceful setting soon becomes action-packed
Graeme recalls how it all began: “I had been watching a leopard across the other side of the river. He was stalking and definitely hunting. I noticed an impala herd nearby and realised that they had grabbed his attention.”
He speaks how all of a sudden, there was dust everywhere and the impala herd scattered!
This was when he noticed the leopard carrying a bushbuck carcass into a nearby tree.
With the leopard in the tree with its prey, things had just gotten a whole lot more interesting!
However, there were more players on this stage than just the antelope and the leopard.
Says Graeme: “Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement in the river.”
Two large male lions were in the vicinity and they had also noticed the leopard hauling the buck carcass into the tree.
Male lion approaches tree
One of the male lions approached the tree where the leopard had retreated with its kill. It is common for leopards to carry their kills into treetops, so that they can feed in safety and peace, away from scavengers and other predators.
However, this lion was quite confident as it strode towards the tree. It had in mind to climb that tree, and steal the carcass!
Glancing up at the tree and spying the buck carcass, the lion prepared to climb.
Lion begins ascent into tree
With that, it started to climb, hugging the central trunk with its front paws as it maneuvered its body upwards.
It wasn’t the easiest climb for the lion as lions are not as adept at leopards as climbing trees, however, the lion was still able to hoist its weight upwards.
Graeme said this was the first time he had ever witnessed a lion climb a tree and it was an amazing experience for him.
Up in the tree, the lion was now immediately beneath the carcass and the leopard, and was willing to use its paws to swipe viciously at the leopard in an attempt to get the kill.
“He swung his left paw towards the leopard and kill. The leopard just managed to evade his clutches and went higher up.”
The leopard continued to move even higher into the branches as the lion swiped at it. “The branches were not that thick higher up,” says Graeme. However, the leopard held its own. It was a master at remaining steady and vigilant on narrow, high branches.
“I was amazed at the leopard’s agility. What also amazed me, was the fact that he was taking the kill with him. He wasn’t letting the lion have any! “
Lion bully decides to give up
The lion bully tried his very best to steal the kill but soon realised he was in a no-win situation and decided to descend.
“He was in a very awkward position and it was quite funny to watch,” says Graeme. “The lion eventually got back on to the ground and both lions made their way down to the river. After realising all was clear, the leopard moved further down the tree to continue his meal.”
Graeme says that he drove away from the scene in second heaven: “I was still pinching myself an hour later asking myself if I had actually watched that scene play out.”
Nature is full of surprises and Graeme will never forget the spectacle of watching a full grown male lion climb a tree!