Hyaena vs leopard in the Okonjima Nature Reserve

The 20 000 ha, Okonjima Nature Reserve has the highest recorded density of brown hyaenas currently recorded throughout their distribution. Alongside the protection the reserve offers from human persecution, we believe the high leopard density benefits brown hyaena by increased scavenging opportunities. Kleptoparasitism, a form of feeding in which one species takes the food of another, is commonly seen on Okonjima; brown hyaenas often steal the kills of leopards.

IN THE FIRST SCENE:
Leopard females give birth after a gestation period of three months to an average of two cubs (range 1-3).
For around the first three months of their lives leopard cubs stay in the safety of the multiple dens, which the cubs are moved between. Dens might be an old aardvark burrow, in thick vegetation or a rocky area.
Here, successful leopard mother Lila, was filmed carrying her young cubs to a den site on Okonjima. However, with an excellent sense of smell, a brown hyaena detected the cubs and approached, potentially in the hope of an easy meal. Lila fiercely protected her cubs, rushing at the brown hyaena, which responded with raised hair making it appear larger. Luckily, in this case, Lila was more powerful and saw off the hyaena, ensuring the safety of her cubs for another day.
FILMED BY: Endemic Productions - Namibia during the dry season

IN THE SECOND SCENE:
Our mother leopard Electra, is securing a meal for herself and her two young cubs in the form of a warthog. However, once the dangerous part of killing the warthog is finished, a brown hyaena quickly moves in a takes the kill from her. The raised hair of the hyaenas helps them look larger than they are, helping them to intimidate even male leopards enough for them to move off their kills for brown hyaenas.

Learn more about our hyaena and leopard research here: https://africat.org/publications

FILMED BY: Luca Verducci just as the rains started falling

Видео Hyaena vs leopard in the Okonjima Nature Reserve канала AfriCat Uk