A further look into the unbelievable video of a lioness climbing into a tree after a female leopard with a kill.
We set off on an early morning game drive before sunrise with little expectation as to what we were going to see. The previous few drives had been amazing and I would be happy with whatever came our way. We knew that the Plaque Rock female leopard had an impala kill hoisted in a marula tree nearby, and my tracker Lucky and I decided to structure our drive around that.
A pretty young playful female found along the river to the east of camp
The Plaque Rock female yawning after she had successfully hoisted her impala kill the day before.
We arrived at the sighting with Ranger Josh and Tracker Jerry along with their guests. This was actually Josh’s last game drive at Londolozi, and what a thrilling last drive it was going to be! The Plaque Rock female was already in the marula tree with her kill. What incredible strength – being able to drag a carcass weighing as much as her own body into a tree. Shortly after we had positioned our vehicle the leopardess stood up, fixated on something beyond our vehicle.
Plaque Rock female ascending into the marula tree
It’s a strange thing, but without intentionally knowing it, we found ourselves glancing into the distance to see what had caught her attention. She was evidently on edge and did not shift her gaze. Lucky and I thought there could be another leopard that had caught her interest. This was a strong possibility given she had a kill stolen by her mother just a week before. It is known that if a rival leopard is seen, it triggers a response in the leopard causing them to start salivating. The Plaque Rock female was not yet salivating. Lucky noticed some movement in the distance, “It’s the lions”…
The Plaque Rock female took the impala kill in her mouth and ascended even higher into the marula tree. The three lionesses, who were approaching the tree in single file, had their gaze fixed on the meal hoisted above them.
This lioness gazing up at the meal dangling in the Marula above while she scans the tree to determine her best plan of approach.
This in itself was an amazing sighting, two species of big cats in the same place. We had so many questions running through our minds; “will she climb the tree?” and “what will the Plaque Rock female do if she does?”. Initially, I thought this would be unlikely but soon I noticed the lioness was fairly hungry and the tree was not that difficult to climb. Lionesses can climb pretty well but are not as sure-footed and comfortable as leopards in trees, however Lucky had no doubt and said “she is going to climb the tree”.
A look of uncertainty as this lioness climbed the tree and realized there was only one way to go which was to continue up the Marula and hopefully capitalize on the free meal which awaited her.
Sure enough, a few seconds later, she leapt up to the first notch in the trunk, steadying herself before ascending higher. The two other lionesses eagerly waited below.
While watching a lion climb a tree you realize just how big they are in comparison to a small and agile leopard. She clawed her way up hugging the tree with her powerful forearms until reaching a fork and onto a horizontal branch.
It was fascinating to observe her climbing the tree. She was certainly not as nimble and efficient as the Plaque Rock female leopard, but for a lioness of her size, she made short work of getting into the lower branches. The end goal was just out of reach for her and you could almost see her trying to problem solve just how she would get to the Plaque Rock female and the kill.
The leg of the impala carcass dangling just out of reach for the lioness resulting in her having to make an alternate plan to get a little bit closer…
The Plaque Rock female, now concealed from our view by the leaves of the upper canopy, began to aggressively growl as a last attempt to keep the lioness away. We thought all she was after was the kill and couldn’t help but think how she would get down afterward, as we know lions can often be rather clumsy and awkward when descending a tree.
Weighing up the different options and routes, the lioness traced the branch from the leopard down. She knew where it would lead her and began climbing. Wrapping each paw around the branch, she pulled herself towards where the leopard and carcass were and she too started to growl aggressively. The entire tree was shaking as this lioness propelled towards the leopard. At this point, we realized that she was not only after the kill…
A flash of terror washed over me as my mind raced to the possibility of the lioness killing this leopard.
If you watch closely you can actually see that the lioness is standing over the kill and is in fact swatting her deadly paws at the leopard. Once she managed to get hold of the leopard, who also fought back, she lost her balance and tumbled to the side. During this intense altercation, thankfully the branch could not sustain their combined weight and broke under the tension, leaving the two animals plummeting towards the ground from about six meters high.
They say all cats land on their feet, this theory was somewhat questionable for the lioness, but we witnessed a perfect landing for the leopard, who within a split second bounced to her feet and darted off towards another tree. Thankfully the loud crack of the branch breaking sent the two lionesses waiting on the ground running in the opposite direction. After the ungraceful landing of the lioness, she quickly turned to try and see where the leopard was. By this point, the Plaque Rock female was scampering into another nearby tree.
The lioness ensuring that the other two females don’t steal any of her hard-earned meal. She was guarding it quite closely.
The expressions on Ranger Josh and Tracker Jerry’s faces were of utter disbelief! I am sure Lucky and I had mirroring expressions too.
The lioness soon claims her meal and finishes off the remains of the impala nestled in the leaves from the upper canopy of the Marula without sharing a scrap with the other two lionesses.
It’s hard to explain the feeling after witnessing this sighting. If I had to I would say it was a mixture of utter surprise, elation, and shock. Without saying a word, the four of us just raised our arms in the air as though we were victorious in some way. I realized afterward that we were victorious, victorious in the sense of fortune. We were so unbelievably fortunate to have witnessed something as remarkable as this interaction between two incredible animals. Thanks to one of our Londolozi guests on my vehicle, Sandra Guichard (who is probably quite famous now) for capturing this interaction on video, and letting us share it with all of you.
Not to mention – what a perfect last drive for Josh!
Totally incredible experience!
Kirst, Thanks for the full story on one of the most incredible sightings ever! Wondering how often there are interactions between lions and leopards? Guessing since leopards are usually solo, that if a pride was heading their way, the leopard would leave quickly unless the leopard was in a tree like that!
Michael and Terri, we do have a few encounters of both lions and leopards however normally with a leopard being chased up a tree with the lions waiting below however when a carcass is involved it brings in a whole new dynamic !
My gosh! I stopped breathing for the leopard! I was afraid the lionesses could kill her… what a great story and video thank you!
Francesca I can say I shared that sentiment at the time!
I wonder if this accomplishment by the lioness has given it a new found confidence and will repeat this in the future. Incredible sighting and pictures.
Wow, what an adventure and what good luck you had to be able to watch such a sight! I really envy you. These lions of Londolozi are really very dedicated animals, dedicated to reach their own goals, whatever it takes. It’s just amazing. One can see how huge this lioness is in comparison to the leopardess though even she is a big animal. I have seen lionesses climbing trees, however never such vertical trunks. Incredible.
Wow, what a fabulous video and what an encounter with two big cats!!
This interaction was heart stopping and sensational. I am so glad that Plaque Rock or the lioness wasn’t hurt. But it sure puts rest to the idea that leopards are safe from lions in the highest thinnest branches of trees! Actually the branch breaking probably saved Plaque Rock’s life.
Leopards don’t give up)
Just wow. Amazing story and footage! Thank you so much for sharing this, the beautiful description and expressing your fear that the leopard may have been killed. It’s sensitivity in preserving the beauty of a sentient being and not desiring to witness the violence that I appreciate so much. It shows a true an honest heart of a guide!
Thank you so much for this blog; I’d been reading comments about this and was desperate to see what had happened. I would have been terrified too for Plaque Rock if I’d been there, especially after what happened to the Piva male. Thank goodness she escaped unharmed and was very lucky to avoid the other 2 lions on the ground.
A few thoughts come to mind upon viewing the pictures,..
First, the picture of the Plaque Rock female Leopard yawning,.. (as it said here on the mainland,..) “Eating good in the neighborhood,” .. Little Miss Leopard looks content, as she definitely had a good meal, amidst her tummy looking to be quiet full.
Second, the look on the Lioness’s face as she took a “perch break”, and gazed out to the horizon, to me looks as if she was giving a “photo op” amidst feeling victorious for her climbing efforts. As she forged on to climb the Marula tree, the picture in thought reminds me of the quote from the movie “Dumbo.” The Lioness looks to be thinking and saying “I think I can! I think I can!” 🙂
Such lovely captures Kirst!
When she finally got to have a bite of her fought for meal, she says “Yum! Yum! Yum!” 🙂
That was intense, very happy Plaque Rock made her escape and the lioness wasn’t injured in the fall.
Totally incredible! Thank you for posting this!
WOW!! If this video doesn’t go viral, nothing will.
What an incredible sighting and thank you Sandra for sharing the video with us. I have never seen anything like this before. So exciting and also very shocking at the same time. I am grateful and thankful that the plague rock female is not hurt and also the lioness. The sheer strength and determination from both cats, one protecting herself and her kill, the other trying to steal the kill. Fantastic story and video. Sad to hear Ranger Josh had his last game drive, he can be pleased with this exciting experience that he saw first hand, for his last drive. All the best Josh were ever you may be going in the future.
Unbelievable- I’m speechless! How amazing you were there to capture this encounter. Just proves, you can’t predict what you’ll see on a game drive!
That is certainly true! Luckily my guest was filming behind me to capture the entire saga!
Great storytelling Kirst! Fascinating to hear the lioness was after the leopard!
Kirst, I think I’m not alone in saying I have watched this clip over and over again in total disbelieve and awe ! What an incredible sight to have seen, the build up must have been super intense ..boy what a farewell for Josh And certainly one that will be the icing on the cake for you and your guests for a long, long time to come 💗‼️‼️
Thanks so much Cally!
Brilliant footage, I just loved it thank you for sharing this great story.
Awesome story!!
Wow!!! 😳 That was incredible to watch!! So scary, it really looked like the lion was going to get her, thankfully the branch broke!!! The poor leopard, my goodness! What a sight to see! Thankfully the leopard got away!
Thank goodness indeed that the branch broke! It was certainly a close call.
Now THAT was very exciting indeed! Amazing to see the 2 big cats together for a short space of time and realize how very different they are in size! What a very fascinating blog! Thank you so much Kirst! With our great admiration! Neil and Wendy M
Thank you for sharing. What a sighting for you all a very special moment.
This video took me completely by surprise!!
Brilliant video and amazing backstory!! Thank you Kirst for sharing all of this!!
Everytime I watch I am wowed by this encounter. To think the lioness wasn’t just after a free meal and wanted to kill the rival leopard helps to explain the great lengths that she went to in climbing the tree. Incredible!