When the Big Cats Clash: The Brutal Truth of Lion vs. Leopard The African wilderness is defined by a constant, dramatic struggle for survival, and the rivalry between lions and leopards is one of its most brutal facts. Lions will actively seek out and kill leopards. This is not for food, but for competition. Lions view leopards as rivals that hunt in their territory and compete for the same prey. Lions, being larger and hunting in prides, have a clear advantage. They will kill a lone leopard to