Felids Interactions - Intraspecific Conflicts

[Luipaard]

2 big male leopards clash in a bloody fight

"One of the most memorable sightings of my career happened one day while working in the Manyeleti game reserve. Driving in the most southern part of the reserve my tracker gave the distinctive hand signal and brought the vehicle to a stop pointing out an impala carcass hanging high in a marula tree on the right hand side of the road, and a big male leopard at the base looking very angry at us. But the anger wasn't because of our arrival, without any warning a deep growl come from the left side of the road and a yellow flash crossing the road to the male under the tree. In a blink of a eye the two colossal cats engaged in a battle that lasted about 3 minutes. This was obviously a battle for territory and one that would most likely end in death. We watched the scene in complete silence, my heart was racing out of my chest as the sound of nails and teeth ripping into flesh was deafening. 

Eventually the cats parted from each other, completely exhausted and drenched in blood we decided not to follow them and let the beast tend to their wounds."

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*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

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