Domination is a story as old as time, and in the wild, it’s more prevalent than ever. The largest feline in Africa and the second largest on the entire planet is the lion. Additionally, they are the only fully social felines that live in pride.
Women in pride are often connected to one another and often live their lives with that pride. However, from around the age of 3, males are excluded from the pride. At this stage, they often adopt a nomadic lifestyle or coexist with other males (usually their siblings).
©Serg Salivon/Shutterstock.com
What you’re going to witness is the equivalent of two guys fighting in a bar over a pretty girl… except for the lions, they’re kind of unhinged. Proudly battling for dominance is standard Lion behavior.
The magnificent, thick mane of a male lion is both a status symbol and a neck guard in battle. If another male tries to take over the pride, the current male or male alliance will fight. If they win, the new, victorious male will often kill all cubs that are dependent on the mother.
While this may seem cruel, it’s a way for new pride leaders to ensure they dedicate time and resources to caring for and protecting their cubs. In the clip, two lions battle it out for the title of pride leader.
face to face
We saw lionesses in the area scrambling to safety as they charged at each other. Any other lions around during these interactions could be harmed. These big cats open their powerful jaws and don’t flinch when they attack each other.
One viewer had this to say about the encounter: “Amazingly, regardless of geography or cultural tradition, the lion has been seen throughout history as the epitome of bravery and ferocity. King of the jungle!”
Watching these two fight to the death gives you the chills. Thankfully, neither was seriously injured. After a brief battle for roles, Pride crowned the winner. Check out the intense interaction below!
next…
- Watch a lioness defend her cubs against an aggressive male – a mother’s love has never been stronger than a defensive lioness!
- Watch a brave lioness try to stop a stalking male from killing her cubs – see what a mother is willing to do to protect her cubs.
- Watch two crocodiles battle it out in a fierce competition – even other crocodiles can’t escape!
- Watch a baby penguin escape from a seal hunt – the Arctic is a wild place, and a penguin battles a predator to survive.
- Someday this tiger will learn how to ambush. Until then, the animals are safe – as one of the most ferocious beasts in the world, this tiger doesn’t really have much to show for it.
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
