Felids Interactions - Interspecific Conflicts

[Wolverine]

Russian TV chanell announces that one of the Persian leopards released near Sochi in 2016 has killed a local timber wolf, no images are provided:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGDlmsv6n10

Situation is interesting. If reintroduction of Persian leopards in Caucasus Biosphere reserve continue to be successful probably between the cats and local grey wolves will start some kind of competition who is gonna be the apex predator in the area. Situation reminds Yellowstone in early 90's, but in opposite fashion - then wolves were reintroduced in cougar's habitat, now the canids are presented and cats are coming second. 
Its true that in Iran there are places where two species coexist since long ago but Iranian wolves belong to smaller tropical subspecie - C. palipes, in same time timber wolves from Western Caucasus mountains belong to Northern, larger subspecie and during the harsh winters make quite serious wolf packs. In same time they are smaller than Yelowstone wolves belonging to largest non-Arctic wolf subspesie in the planet - McKanzie Valley wolf. So I think that Persian leopards in Russian Caucasus are in bit better position than cougars in Yellowstone in terms of competition with the timber wolves.


From opposite part of Russia - Far East also came information about killing of timber wolf, this time from tiger:

https://xakac.info/news/73739

2 years old male Amur Saihan who earlier went through rehabilitation has killed a timber wolf in Jewish Autonomus Region north of Amur river. No images or details are provided. Saihan is known for his shy, timid character. Reply