Male Lion Gives Leopard the Fright of its Life

For leopards being one of the most successful cats in the wild, this one did a pretty good job at letting its guard down...
A male lion spotted this Leopard from a mile away, and slowly ambushed it. The suspense is palpable.

This suspenseful sighting was captured by Ahmed Laher, 36-year-old safari host at the Sabi Sands, while on a safari at Arathusa Safari Lodge, Greater Kruger National Park. His guest, Shaida Sayed, also managed to send in some great footage of the sighting!


“Another vehicle mentioned that there was a lion heading in her direction but was quite a distance away at the time. She kept looking out while stalking impala and unknowingly was being stalked herself. After about 15 minutes of watching her we got a visual of a huge male lion behind us, slowly closing in on her, at that moment we knew it was time to be quiet and watch 2 of the big 5 in 1 sighting and see what was about to unfold!”

“It was nail-biting as he kept getting closer and closer. He was silent and closing in on her inch by inch, we were all silent. As he got to about 10 meters he darted towards her with such speed but the leopardess reflexes were faster and she managed to escape by a split second!”

“She ran into terrain that she knew would be to her advantage and up a tree to the highest point where she knew a lion would have no chance of getting to her. She stayed up in the tree and the male lion took a nap under the tree waiting for her. He eventually got tired of waiting for her and wandered off.”

“We were nervous - adrenaline was pumping. Lost for words as this is not something you would witness every day. It was intense and we were scared for the leopard hoping she survives another day.”

The video footage was taken by Ahmed Laher, Shaida Sayed and the photos were taken by @walking_with_lions_



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[speedymini]

The leopard was more surprised that this video was filmed vertically….

[RetroBerner]

when you got like a million dollars worth of camera equipment onboard, but the vertical video guy gets it

[roccoxxxx]

Just imagine how silent you must be to sneak up on a leopard

[eastendthug]

Pay thousands of dollars to go on a once in a lifetime trip to Kruger in the hope of witnessing some amazing wildlife in action. Films vertically.

[RC-mvzz]

The moment the lion started to run, the leopard was already gone 🤣🤣

[LongHornTexas]

Leopards always seem to miss seeing until Lions are close enough to whisper in their ears an “I Love You”.

[nqobaningidi]

Lol, I knew that leopard will disappear faster than my salary 😂😂😂 at least not cat was hurt during the filming 😀😀😀

[stevefox]

When ever a leopard come across a lion it turns in to cheetah 😅🤣😂

[nunochainho]

Sightings of this creature are becoming rarer by the day. Some say it will soon go extinct, so I'm glad to see it here in the wild. The vertical video shot truly is a magnificent creature.

[tommytremble]

Plot twist: Lion suddenly turns right and attacks the people in the jeep since they never saw it coming (and ruined his majestic stalking by filming vertically) lol

[tyannaist]

The leopard almost started a brush fire with the way it took off running 🔥

[reflectionofpower]

This lion was a newbie. His growl before the attack is what alerted the leopard. If he had kept silent he probably would have nailed him.

[JabberCT]

Pay to travel all the way to Africa, pay to go on a safari, and then film the landscape in portrait mode lol.

[MultiNawaki]

People giving the lion too much credit here and saying he gave it all away at the last moment . That may be your perspective . But leopards are pretty sharp, alert and perception to such details in their environment in sounds and sensations . And can equally respond with lightning fast reflexes agility, cunning and speed . The lion may be huge and powerful but even the lion with it ‘s so called legendary stalking and hunting skills cannot outsmart the leopard . The lion doesn’t have as much of a strike rate as the leopard except while in the dark and operating in a pride via an ambush for probable prize . The leopard is way sharper and quick . In the fractions of such a moment only the leopard could keep it’s composure and react like that . Not even the cheetah could do that . The leopard is the master of stealth and much has been documented about it ‘s abilities . You can’t beat the master at his own game even if you are big . The leopard has all the arsenal required to pick up sensory details to detect their prey, competition or know their environment . This leopard was probably wounded or hurt . But it’s highly unusual you would surprise a leopard like that . We have endless sagas of leopards who are noted for their prowess, they are fine tuned to beat stalkers in this bout .

[santhoshsep]

Lion’s mom would feel dejected after seeing her son stalk so bad

[jacksondoner]

Lion warns leopard before it charges should be the title lol

[CrazyIshan]

Looks like even the stealth master didn't sense what was coming.

[somebody]

I'm I the only one laughing at the satisfied alhamdulillah of the cameraman? Like he was one happy dude that the leopard got away. Lol

[davidh]

If I were there, and I know it's wrong, but I would have whispered, "Hey leopard, you better high tail it, there's a lion stalking you!"
Then I would put on my innocent look if the lion looked at me.

[annettelane]

Intense sighting indeed, amazing to watch. The lion quiet, patient and focused, the leopard, super fast and agile. Leopards rock!! Great sighting, thank you.