If these chimps are larger than average, it likely that the large males are at least as big as female leopards, and given that chimps have 4 hands to work with and are quite strong it is plausible this chimp could have killed that leopard. But why take such a high-risk predation strategy? Leopards are awfully powerful, too. Why not prey on what the leopards eat, since the leopard could just as easily kill and eat him? I think that without more direct evidence the assumption is that the leopard was carrion.

But why take such a high-risk predation strategy?

yes. and i has to be very facultative. there aren't enough large carnivores around to make this is a habit.

I wouldn't think they're preying on leopards regularly, either. Could've been carrion -- or the chimps could've actually killed the leopard during some sort of altercation. Baboons (usually the large males), for instance, will regularly stand up to/chase away cheetahs [cheetah/baboon story 2/3s down):

http://www.hoothollow.com/Tanzan...0Report% 20.html

I could imagine a gang of 'brute chimps' managing to kill a leopard if it got in their way for some reason.

According to what I've been able to find on the animal, it's included with Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii. In so far as P. t. schweinfurthii is being considered for species status (Pan Schweinfurthii) the "lion killer" chimp would likely be promoted to subspecies (Pan schweinfurthii leomortis?).

One thing to note about these animals is that they have a sagittal crest. A skeletal feature not found in any other population of chimpanzees. Along with other unique traits this may qualify them for species status themselves (Pan leomortis?) Just when you think you've got the hooligans figured out.

BTW, P. t. schweinfurthii was the animal Jane Goodall did her initial studies on.

I doubt that a single chimp would stand a chance against a leopard, which is probably pound-for-pound the strongest of the big cats. Even adult male gorillas have been killed by leopards.

But a pack of chimpanzees might overpower a leopard and kill it, probably as a defensive measure. Jane Goodall describes anti-leopard displays by chimps at Gombe.

Chimps are not just "quite strong", they are amazingly strong.

http://answers.google.com/answer...dview? id=559145

Chimps are 4-7 times stronger than humans. It is hard to imagine a leopard could beat this.

"Chimpanzees are much stronger than humans are; 5-7 times as strong in
overall strength. Their bones are denser, and their skin is tougher
than ours. The density of their bones is one reason why chimpanzees
stay away from water; they are not buoyant and they sink. Chimpanzees
are also more agile. They spend much of their day in trees and require
greater balance and agility than humans."

I am working with them right now... And it's healthy to know how strong they are...

Leopards are also up to 7 times as strong as humans:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wik...ig_Cats/ Leopard

Leopards and chimps both have strong jaws and large canine teeth. But in addition the leopard has razor-sharp claws on each foot. In a one-on-one fight I would put my money on the leopard, though an adult chimp could do a lot of damage before dying.

Well, this is quite trivial...

Leopards may be strong in pulling a carcass to a tree. However, this has got only a little to do with fighting.

For instance, I saw some documentary in which a tribal man explained how to kill a leopard if it attacks. Get a big cloak and throw it to leopard's head. Simultaniously bang it to the head with a large cane.

There are some instances in which a leopard was killed by a simple tool like a screw driver (by a sigle man).

If the chimps would find a way to finish off a leopard, it might be relatively easy to do it. Leopard killing coulture.

One example from chimp aggression:
St. James Davis loved chimpanzees-or at least one. The 62-year-old West Covina, Calif., resident and his wife, LaDonna Davis, 64, were visiting Moe, their former pet, at the Animal Haven Ranch in Caliente, Calif. last week. Somehow, two chimps from the cage next to Moe escaped and went wild, mauling St. James.
The assault was only halted when the two attacking chimps, Buddy and Ollie, both teenaged males, were shot dead by the ranch owner's son-in-law. By Tuesday, St. James-who had his nose, eye, part of his cheek, lips, buttocks and all his fingers bitten off and his foot and testicles torn off-was reported in stable condition at Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he had undergone surgery.
What should one do if attacked by a chimp? Fight? Fly? Curl up and play dead? The response from Virginia Landau, director of ChimpanZoo: Research, Education and Enrichment at the Jane Goodall Institute Tucson branch, is a little scary.
"Chimpanzees are four times stronger than humans. They are very smart. They can be capable of aggression. There is no formula answer for this question," says Landau.