This Leopard Caught A Warthog, Then The Lions Showed Up

Wildlife is common in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. It is one of the most popular places to go on safari. Lions, elephants, and giraffes are all common sightings. You may even find them engaged in their natural behavior, including fighting over food.

In this video, two lions wander over to a leopard’s meal after they hear the cries of the prey. A warthog squeals while held down by the leopard that plans to eat it. Just when the leopard starts to dig in, the two lions appear.

Watch the Heart-Stopping Video Below!

One lion engages with the leopard. He growls and swipes a large paw over the smaller cat. The leopard isn’t about to fight back against one lion, much less two. He runs off and lets them take his kill.

The two lions grab onto the warthog and its cries stop within a few seconds. You may be tempted to feel bad for the warthog, who just became dinner. But if there’s one thing that watching animals in the wild will teach you it is that the circle of life is always going. Warthogs are not without their defenses, with two sets of tusks that they can use to fight off predators. Even with this formidable defense, they are still no match for big cats such as lions and leopards.

With his dinner plans thwarted, the young leopard stays away from the lions. He is smart enough to know that it is better to stay out of the claws and jaws of these apex predators and try to find another meal for himself. He jumps up into a tree and looks out over the tall grass, already searching for his next prey.

Staying Safe on Safari

All of this footage was filmed from inside a vehicle. It is important not to engage with wildlife in any place but especially when they are eating. Along with defending their young, keeping their meals to themselves is one of the most important things that animals do in the wild. After all, if they don’t eat, they won’t survive. Getting in between a wild animal and its dinner may just make you the next thing on the menu. These people were wise and stayed in their vehicle.

Safari trips also include knowledgeable guides that can help keep visitors safe while still getting to see wild animals in their natural environment. To take advantage of the amazing opportunity and views, have your camera ready and you may just be able to capture footage like this.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Aviral Aryal