Tiger Directory

[Apollo]

(09-20-2016, 05:25 PM)peter Wrote: Lt.-Col. J. Stevenson-Hamilton ('Wild Life In South Africa', first published in 1947 - I have the Panther Edition of 1957) reported about cannibalism:

" ... It is regrettable to have to name ... the lion a cannibal, but unfortunately it is the case that he is so, and a confirmed one at that. I believe it to be a trait of most of the cat tribe; but for a long time I thought it was only sporadic, perhaps impelled by sexual sadistic motives. Numberless cases, however, have clearly shown that cannibalism is no individual freak, but a confirmed habit of the species ... "  (pp. 165).

Wild predators, and big cats in particular, often eat what they kill. And there's no question they kill each other at times. Here's Stevenson-Hamilton again:

" ... Adult males, in their duels, sometimes kill each other, but less frequently than might be supposed; it seems as though they use their claws rather than their teeth against one another. In fact, a fight between lionesses, though less frequent, is, when it occurs, apparently more serious, Maimed individuals have been shot which had been badly injured by bites as well as claw wounds, and one found dead had been almost torn to pieces: the neck and back broken, and the skin rent into ribands. Possibly she had been mauled by several opponents. Between January and June of one year, in a single section of the Park, three lions and seven lionesses were found killed by their mates ... " (pp. 156).

The observation of Stevenson-Hamilton has been confirmed many times. Read the threads started by Majingilane. 

In tigers, it's not much different. In the JBNHS, I found many letters of hunters who reported about cannibalism in British India. One was posted in the extinction thread. The writer was taken to the scene of a fight by villagers. The male who lost the fight was partly eaten by the other. R.C. Morris reported about cannibalism in southern India more than once. Cannabalism in leopards also wasn't uncommon in those days.   

Brown bears, by the way, are not that different in this respect. A year ago, I saw a documentary on a German channel. The filmer heard two bears fight during the night. Next morning, he found a large male brown bear close to his tent. He was eaten by other bears. I know of another case, also in Alaska.

Thanks Peter, it was very insightful.
I think the above picture is a vital piece of evidence proving cannibalism among tigers. Reply