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Simbas-pal — Back Off!
Published: 2013-01-21 02:08:51 +0000 UTC; Views: 2178; Favourites: 120; Downloads: 0
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One of the most interesting things I saw on safari was a troupe of yellow baboons attacking a leopard who was hunting in their territory. It may sound gruesome to call the fight interesting, but as a biologist, I found it fascinating to see the behaviors as different species interacted. And clearly, this is Nature in action.As you can see from this photo, the leopard won the fight. Here, she has killed the dominant male of the baboon troupe and is taking him back to her cubs for dinner. Another large baboon had just grabbed her tail in an apparent effort to help the dead baboon; in a split second, this lady turned and snarled a serious warning at the baboon, telling him to back off and leave her prey alone.
I felt very sorry for the baboon, but the leopard and her cubs ate well that day.
Taken in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
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Comments: 37
Great photo, both in terms of photography and the story behind it.
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I reckon it was a fair fight - baboons aren't pushovers. That leopard earned and deserved her dinner. Wish I'd been there to watch it, that sounds amazing!
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Fantastic capture!!!!!!! I'm planning on going on an African Safari next April and am absolutely thrilled. It's been at the top of my bucket list for years now!!!!!
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Thanks; glad you like the shot!
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Thanks so much, Merkel; I'm glad you like the shot. It was an amazing interaction to get to see--I hadn't known about leopards and baboons!
(Sorry for the delay in responding; I've been away from dA for a while.)
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Thanks so much; glad you like the shot!
(Sorry for the delay in responding; I've been away for a while.)
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this is a great shot! it captures the intensity of the kill.
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Thanks; glad you like it.
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yep 
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Well, Margaret, glad to see this getting all of the respect and love that it deserves!!! As everyone previous to me has already eloquently stated, this is nature doing what nature does. It isn't nice but it is true. One species "Mom" protecting her family. It is so nice that you've been able to bring back such great images to share with all of us who will probably never get to see such sights in our lifetime!
Well done....very well done!
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Thanks so much, my pal!
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Oh she is indeed!!!!
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Thanks; glad you like it!
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Simply a great photo and wonderful piece of naturalism. Is that a fixed 300 mm you're working with? L glass? You must have been close enough to get the dust on you! I'm happy for the leopard mom. One gutsy lady. I had thought they usually lost these fights. Now I know better, thanks to you.
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No L glass here, just my 70-300mm zoom. It was amazing to me how close we got to some of the animals and action, like in this photo. With all the different animals around, I was glad to have a zoom rather than fixed length lens, even though the fixed lenses are better quality.
Thanks so much for your kind words about the photo! I hadn't known baboons would attack a leopard before I saw this, so I had no expectations of the outcome but I was rooting for the leopard.
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Thanks; glad you like it
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Good for the Leopard! :-D Great shot, I am envious.
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Thanks; glad you like it.
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Very interesting! Aren't baboons and leopards always at odds? I remember seeing a documentary-type show and the baboons stole and killed on of the leopard's cubs!
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Yes, I guess so, though I hadn't been aware of it before seeing this; just hadn't thought of it, I guess. Our guide explained that leopards will go after baboons for food, but it's not their first choice (this leopard actually seemed to be interested in a group of impala, until the baboons got involved). So, baboons will attack leopards to get them out of the baboons' territory. Our guide also said that, often, baboons will be successful in driving off a leopard. But, since the baboons were driving this leopard in the direction of her cubs, she stood and fought to keep the baboons away from her family. And, obviously, she won. I did find the whole interaction very interesting.
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Thanks; glad you like it.
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Well, As the Jethro Tull song goes:
He who made kittens put snakes in the grass.
He's a lover of life but a player of pawns ---
yes, the King on His sunset lies waiting for dawn
to light up His Jungle
as play is resumed.
The monkeys seem willing to strike up the tune.
From Bungle in the Jungle.
People have a tendency to think of nature as kind, loving, magic pony stuff. But mother nature is a cruel bitch. Some of it isn't pretty. Some of it is down right nasty. But people need to accept it for what it is. No good, no bad. ^_^
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Very appropriate quote! Indeed, Nature is glorious, but not always kind. And you're right, there's no sense in trying to apply human morality to what goes on in the animal kingdom. So, as much as I felt bad for the baboon, I really enjoyed watching the leopard do what she was built to do.
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Thanks; it was cool to see! Glad you liked it.
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What an amazing pic! Ive been living in Kenya for my whole life and so I know all too well how rare it is to see something like that! I love the strength of the look the leopard has, beautiful!
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Thanks! It was a rare treat, indeed, to see this, especially since leopards usually hunt at night--we got to watch an unusual morning hunt!
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Yeah, I can imagine! I have been lucky (if you can say that) enough to watch a number of hunts myself but I find this photo to portray the intensity without showing the gore behind it...
Glad you shared it!
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Thanks for the kind words. I do consider it lucky to see a hunt like this--as a biologist and on my first safari, I was excited to see the leopard do what she was built to do--but I'm not into glorifying the gory aspect. Glad the shot works for you!
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