A Heart-Wrenching Encounter in Tanzania: Leopard Snatches Lion Cub in Ruaha National Park

Leopard snatches lion cub from mother and EATS it in Tanzania's Ruaha National Park, East Africa | Daily Mail Online

In a dramatic and heart-wrenching scene captured by Canadian lawyer and photographer Scott Hyman, a hungry leopard seized the opportunity to snatch a three-week-old lion cub from under its mother’s nose in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park. The incident unfolded as the lioness moved her cubs deeper into the bush for safety, leaving one vulnerable cub alone while she ventured off to hunt for food.

The lion cub, visibly frightened, became the target of the stealthy leopard, which swiftly pounced and carried the helpless cub up a tree in its jaws. The shocking sequence of events unfolded in September, highlighting the harsh realities of the animal kingdom.

Scott Hyman, 54, who witnessed and documented the incident, explained, “The lioness was moving her cubs deeper into the bush for safety when she had to leave them alone to go off and hunt. They have no hands so have to use their mouths to gently carry the cubs.” Hyman’s photographs captured the chilling moment when the leopard, weighing approximately 160 pounds, seized the opportunity to make the young lion its prey.

While Hyman chose not to document the most brutal parts of the lion cub’s fate, the images convey the harsh and unforgiving nature of the wild. The mother lioness, returning to find her cub gone, exhibited shock and dismay, her mouth hanging open and eyes wide with realization.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by wildlife in their struggle for survival. The circle of life in the animal kingdom, though brutal at times, underscores the delicate balance between predators and prey in the vast landscapes of Africa’s national parks.