Documented cases of forced copulation among lions and other big cats
I came across this statement from a post about lion cannibalism which caught my attention:
>Lion cannibalism is a curious subject, as I, along with others, was under the impression that it is not usual for lions to eat other carnivores, let alone one of their very own. Jason Kipling of Umkumbe Safari Lodge sets the record straight and really emphasises the true nature of these apex predators. What makes them the powerful rulers they are is their instinct to survive, and this, according to Jason is purely a display of that predisposition:
>“As far as I’m concerned this is not totally abnormal behaviour, although lions are not usually considered tertiary consumers they will not let a potential meal go to waste … The killing of an outsider is mostly just eradication of potential competition and the dead animal a source of protein and nutrition that will not go to waste." In the words of a professional, the images of those Delta lions feasting from the belly of their fallen relative don’t seem so upsetting and unnatural.
>Courteney Blunden, owner of Africa on Foot, responds to my query about this unusual kill scene with a reference to the Kruger National Park’s most notorious male coalition – the Mapogos:
>“This behaviour is fairly common and it can basically be brought down to pure survival instinct. Lions like the Mapogo males were famous for killing and eating many lions during their reign of terror. Remember the female in the Ross Pride who killed and ate countless cubs including the one white cub in 2012!”
>Jason’s experience in the Sabi Sand and keen interest for Big Cats also refers us experiences with the Mapogos. He says, “I have, on a number of occasions, witnessed lions feeding on another lion. If a lion is caught outside of its territory and killed it is often eaten by the attacking pride/lion. In the Sabi Sand, the well-known Mapogo coalition of 6 males killed and ate many lionesses, often even ‘raping’ them in the process as a show of dominance.”
Emphasis is my own.
This made me wonder how many documented instances of forced copulation among lions and other big cats there are. Even domestic/house cats are known to engage in some...peculiar sexual behavior and other morbid acts like infanticide are well-known to experienced cat owners. Can anyone here add to the above?