This was the moment guests to the Pilanesberg Private Game Reserve witnessed a leopard being chased up a tree by lions that attempted to hunt blue wildebeest!
Lion pride in the Pilanesberg National Park
LEOP Safaris field guide, Isa Carter tells LatestSightings.com about her incredible story: “We were lucky enough to have witnessed lions trying to hunt wildebeest and in the process chased a leopard up into a tree.”
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Lion sub-adults playing
“As we were driving down Tshwene drive, we came across a lion pride relaxing on a termite mound. We sat with them for quite a while and then the wind stirred. One lioness started scenting the air, she got up and started moving and we realized they were going to hunt.”
Majestic lioness in Pilanesberg
“Suddenly, we started noticing the lions closing in on the wildebeest and one lioness, in particular, was only a few meters away, so we were watching her. As she took off after the wildebeest she suddenly sprung into the air. A smaller cat appeared from below her! That was when we realized she had run over a leopard.”
“The excitement grew even more as the leopard took off up the closest tree.”
Leopard chased up a tree
“The lioness who had landed on the leopard gave chase to the leopard. Once she was under the tree she called the rest of the pride to come and join her. The leopard climbed right up to the top of the tree as the lions tried to climb the tree themselves.”
Lions try to chase after leopard
“Eventually, frustrated, they went and lay down close by where they could watch the leopard. The leopard made herself comfortable in the tree and a waiting game started.”
Leopard looking at lions below
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Lion looking up at leopardDid the leopard dare come back down?
“Once the lions lay flat the leopard took her chance and crept down the tree slowly. With one final glance to check she left from the tree and sped off to safety. The lions saw her go but did not get up to chase. It was after this that we left the sighting.”
Leopard checking surroundings
One can never get enough of either of these African cats, but to see both in one sighting…What a privilege!
source: latestsightings.com
