Tarzan of the Apes · Character

Sabor

The man-eating lioness whose sudden shadow taught Tarzan fear in the jungle and still haunts Jane's imagination as the shape of terror.

supporting

Also known as old Sabor, the crafty Sabor, mighty Sabor

First appearance: vi jungle battles

As a supporting figure in Tarzan of the Apes, Sabor is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The lioness who stalks and attacks Tarzan and his ape cousin at the lake; her scream triggers Tarzan's instinct to dive into the water to escape.

In the storyV: The White ApeOpen this moment free

See Sabor in V: The White Ape Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Sabor prowls the jungle as the predator every ape and villager dreads, a name mothers use to frighten children into obedience. She is the primal threat against which Tarzan's courage is measured, the beast whose memory Kala used to soothe her frightened ape-son, and whose kind he must outwit to survive. When Jane shudders in Tarzan's arms, it is Sabor and Histah the snake she is comforted against — proof that even safety in this wild world is defined by what hunts nearby.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Sabor sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Sabor in vi jungle battles

Character Web

15 connections

A slice of how Sabor sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Ape Tribe and Family
Protagonist
Castaways and Rescuers

+10 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This is the story's dramatic climax because it delivers the emotional peak of relief and reunion after the pro…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Tarzan
rivalry · negative
Sabor the lioness is a constant predator threat to Tarzan, and he eventually kills her to… How this plays out →
Tarzan
rivalry · negative
Sabor the lioness is a constant predator threat to Tarzan, and he eventually kills her to… How this plays out →
Tarzan
rivalry · negative
Sabor the lioness is a constant predator threat to Tarzan, and he eventually kills her to… How this plays out →

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Sabor in vi jungle battles

In the story

Sabor appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

V: The White Ape
The lioness who stalks and attacks Tarzan and his ape cousin at the lake; her scream triggers Tarzan's instinct to dive into the water to escape.
VIII: The Treetop Hunter
The lioness is the target of Tarzan's hunting plan; she escapes his first trap but is later caught.
XI: King of the Apes
Encountered by Tarzan on the trail; Tarzan shoots her with an arrow.
His Own Kind
The lioness whose hide Tarzan tries to fashion into a mantle but fails due to lack of tanning knowledge.
At the Mercy of the Jungle
Referenced as the lion (Numa) that stalks and is killed by Tarzan.
XV: The Forest God
Attempts to enter the cabin to attack Jane and Esmeralda, but is pulled out and killed by Tarzan.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Sabor unlock in the free preview.

See Sabor in vi jungle battles

See Sabor in V: The White Ape