Calf Surrounded in Sabi Sands
This distressing, heartbreaking and sobering sighting was filmed by Ruan Spies in Sabi Sands Game Reserve. The footage opens on a young buffalo calf standing alone, already surrounded by danger.
Several hyenas circled the calf with an alert and focused posture. It’s unclear how long, how or why the calf was separated from its herd, but the hyenas had likely been harassing and moving in on the calf for a while before the camera started rolling.
A few seconds after the start of the video, one hyena made its move, darting forward and clamping onto the calf’s tail. The calf let out a loud, desperate cry for help that echoed unanswered across the bush.
Within moments, the situation escalated. The calf stumbled and went down, and a second hyena joined the attack.
What followed was a prolonged and deeply unsettling sequence, as the hyenas began feeding while the calf was still alive.
The Struggle That Never Came
One of the most striking aspects of Ruan’s footage was how little resistance the calf put up. It never kicked, charged, or attempted to flee.
It’s possible the calf had already endured a longer standoff before filming began, leaving it exhausted, injured, or in shock by the time the camera started rolling.
Young buffalo rely heavily on their herd for protection, and calves are rarely left alone unless something has already gone terribly wrong. Separation can occur during floods, predator pressure, or long-distance movement.
It’s a harsh reality, but once isolated, a calf’s chances at survival drop to almost zero.
An Easy Target
Hyenas are highly opportunistic predators and scavengers. While they are capable hunters, they rarely attack healthy adult buffalo alone due to the extreme danger involved.
A lone calf, however, represents a rare and valuable opportunity, especially when energy expenditure must be balanced against risk. As demonstrated in this sighting, hyenas often begin their attacks at the hindquarters, targeting tails or legs to immobilize their prey.
This strategy minimizes the chance of injury and allows them to wear an animal down quickly. Unlike big cats, hyenas do not rely on a single killing bite; instead, they overpower prey through persistence, numbers, and powerful jaws.
While difficult to witness, this behaviour is not cruel in intent; rather it is purely survival-driven.
The Slow Work of the Pack
As minutes passed, a third hyena arrived and joined the feeding. The calf’s calls grew weaker and weaker before eventually stopping altogether.
The video later cuts to nighttime, where the scene continues under the light of a flashlight. Though visibility is poor, it is clear that the hyena pack remains at the carcass, steadily consuming what is left.
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By this point, the calf is clearly no longer alive, and very little remains of it. Hyenas are efficient consumers, capable of eating skin, bone, and tissue that many other predators leave behind.
Their efficiency plays an important ecological role, ensuring minimal waste in the ecosystem.
A Harsh but Honest Reality
Encounters like this are among the hardest aspects of wildlife observation. They are raw, emotional, and deeply uncomfortable, yet they reflect the reality of life in predator-rich ecosystems like Sabi Sands.
This sighting is a stark reminder that for every dramatic rescue or successful defence, there are countless unseen moments where vulnerability leads to loss. When protection fails, nature moves swiftly and without hesitation.
Hyperactive Baby Hippo Scares Everyone In The Waterhole
This amusing video was sent to Latest Sightings by Isa Carter. She filmed it at a water hole in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
I’m bored!
It’s often said that an “only child” can be a challenge, especially for friends and neighbours. And, judging by the events in this video, the same is true in the animal kingdom.
As Isa’s video begins, we see a lone hippo calf standing on the banks of its water hole. In the background, a herd of zebras await their turn to come down for a drink.
Amusing itself
It would seem that it has no one to socialise with. Nevertheless, as it runs around, it appears quite content to burn off the excess energy of youth on it’s own.
After charging around on the water’s edge for a while, it decides to return to the water, seemingly delighted at the big splash it makes.
For a chubby calf, it is surprisingly light-footed. As it takes to the water, it continues to amuse Isa and her companions with its antics. Quite what the rest of the onlookers think is open to debate.
Its mother, seen in the foreground above, seems content to watch the calf at play. Like any harried mum, she is probably enjoying a moment alone.
Thirsty zebras
Meanwhile, when the rambunctious calf took to the water, the zebras headed down to the water to slake their thirst. However, when the calf notices them, it cocks its ears in interest.
Potential playmates?
Consequently, it would seem that the calf saw the new arrivals as potential playmates. Subsequently, the over-enthusiastic calf set off towards the zebras with all the joys of youth.
Unfortunately for the little hippo, his barrelling approach was a bit much for the skittish zebras. In response, they turned and trotted away from the water’s edge.
By the time he emerged from the water, the zebras had retreated to the nearby treeline. Evidently, the hippos’ behaviour was a bit much when all they wanted was a quiet drink.
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Abundant energy
Nonetheless, their disappearance did little to dampen the calf’s enthusiasm. He had energy to spare and was going to burn it off one way or the other. Even if it meant playing with elephant dung…
As Isa’s video draws to an end, the little hippo, undeterred, continued to charge up and down on the lakeshore.
And, despite his protestations of innocent fun, the zebras in the background remained unwilling to join in the fun.
Playful practice
As amusing as the young hippo’s behaviour is, it actually serves an important part of its early development. Playtime for young animals is the time when they will learn the various skills necessary for long-term survival.
Hippos are highly territorial creatures, particularly in their aquatic homes. As such, while the calf may not be doing so intentionally, it is employing various behaviours that in later life will help it assert its territorial dominance.
These include charging towards intruders, patrolling the domain, and gaping jaw displays. Of course, at this stage in its life, it is all in the spirit of play.
However, later in life, these skills may mean the difference between life and death. Whatever the outcome, for us as observers, they’re both fascinating and fun to observe.
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