Lionesses Catch a Trespassing Male Lion in Their Territory and Show Him Who Runs This World

Don’t mess with these lionesses! When they catch a male lion encroaching on the pride’s space, these fierce female lions aren’t about to let it go. The video, shot in Kenya’s Masai Mara Natural Reserve, shows just how protective lionesses can be.

It begins with four lionesses tearing into something on the ground. The clip quickly shows that it is actually a male lion who wandered into the pride’s area. Male lions are often solitary until they find or establish a pride of their own. This young male lion is called a nomad because of his role as a lion on his own. Nomad lions wander the land until they are able to defeat another male lion and take over his pack.

But in this video, the nomad lion gets challenged by fierce lionesses. Female lions are famously protective of their young and pride, as well as skilled hunters. While the male lion may retain the title of “king” of the pride, it is the group of female lions that do a lot of the work to keep the pride safe and fed.

The nomad quickly gets up and retreats from the lionesses. A couple of them follow him to ensure that he really is gone but they aren’t interested in pursuing him. Now that he’s clearly learned his lesson, the female lions are happy to go back to their day.

The second clip shows two prides posturing and clashing over rights to a specific territory. Each pride is led by a male lion but it is the females that are agitated and looking for a fight. At the end of the day, though, the fight ends as the two prides go their separate ways.

Is This Normal Lioness Behavior?

Yes, lionesses are fiercely territorial and protective. Lions in general have a complex social hierarchy within each pride and in interactions between prides and individual lions. When one lion encroaches on the territory of another, it is common for fights like this to break out. Male lions are stronger than females when fighting one-on-one so it rarely happens. But if a female lion feels threatened, she’s quick to defend her young and territory.

When male lions fight, it is often to establish social position and mating rights with the females within the pride. Female lionesses, on the other hand, often fight to protect their young, territory, and prey. They are the hunters of the pride and do not look kindly on other animals that may try to steal their kills.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Yogiee/Shutterstock.com