Predation is a major cause of mortality in non-human primates, and considered a selective force in the evolution of primate societies. Although larger body size is considered as protection against predation, evidence for predation on great apes by carnivores comes from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), and orangutans (Pongo spp.). Here, we describe the first encounter between wild bonobos (Pan paniscus) and a leopard (Panthera pardus). A single leopard was confronted by a group of habituated bonobos for three hours. Two adult males and one adolescent female bonobo actively harassed the leopard, which remained still for most of the encounter and reacted only to close approaches by bonobos. While no predation was observed, their behaviours confirm that bonobos perceive leopards as potential predators. Our report adds novel information to descriptions from other African ape species, and sheds light on the behavioural repertoire of bonobos’ anti-predation strategies. For future investigations, we suggest tagging leopards to remotely monitor their movements and allow assessment of encounter rates as one of several factors influencing predation pressure.

捕食是非人类灵长类动物死亡的主要原因，被认为是灵长类动物社会进化中的一种选择性力量。尽管较大的体型被认为是防止捕食的保护措施，但食肉动物捕食类人猿的证据来自黑猩猩（Pan troglodytes）、大猩猩（Gorilla gorilla）和猩猩（Pongo spp.）。在这里，我们描述了野生倭黑猩猩 ( Pan paniscus ) 和豹 ( Panthera pardus )的首次相遇）。一只豹子与一群习以为常的倭黑猩猩对峙了三个小时。两只成年雄性倭黑猩猩和一只青春期雌性倭黑猩猩积极骚扰豹子，在遭遇的大部分时间里它都保持静止，只对倭黑猩猩的接近做出反应。虽然没有观察到捕食，但它们的行为证实倭黑猩猩将豹视为潜在的捕食者。我们的报告为其他非洲类人猿物种的描述添加了新信息，并阐明倭黑猩猩反捕食策略的行为清单。对于未来的调查，我们建议标记豹子以远程监控它们的活动，并允许将遭遇率评估为影响捕食压力的几个因素之一。