To detect their prey, lions use a combination of sight, scent and hearing. As this video shows, for their prey, evading these is very difficult.
Watch the video here:
Safari guide Manja Kema sent this footage to Latest Sightings. He witnessed the incident at Maswa Game Reserve in Tanzania.
Something in the wind
On the open plains of East Africa, Manja and his guests were watching a wildebeest calf resting among tall shrubs. As they looked up, they saw trouble approaching.
A male lion had apparently picked up the wildebeest’s scent and was rapidly nearing their position. In a flash, the scene went from serene to serious.
Mutually oblivious
Moments later, the big cat was just metres away. Amazingly, at this stage, neither the lion nor the wildebeest was aware of the other’s position.
As long as the calf remained still, it might have a chance of surviving this close encounter. Unfortunately, the lion was an experienced hunter and turned to his other senses to locate his quarry.
Three options
Next, the lion slowly crept forward, eventually stopping just a few metres from where the calf lay motionless. At this point, it seems that the calf was now aware of the predator, but was frozen to the spot.
In situations like this, prey species have three options: fight, flee, or freeze. With the former option out of the question, it only remained to see which of the latter two it would choose.
Don’t flinch
Even as the lion looked directly towards its hiding place, the calf barely moved. Was this to be its lucky day?
Consequently, unable to spot his target, the lion once again scented the air, trying to pinpoint the source of the tantalising smell of tender wildebeest.
As a result of the nearby threat, the calf was starting to lose its nerve. Instead of staying still, it shook its head, disturbing the leaves of the shrubs around it.
Gotcha moment
Hearing the sound, the lion didn’t waste a moment. His target had revealed itself, and he moved in for the kill.
On hearing the lion’s approach, the calf finally lost its nerve entirely, making a last-ditch attempt at escape.
Too late, too quick
Unfortunately, the little wildebeest had left it far too late. Consequently, the lion was onto it before it managed to get very far.
Much larger than the calf, the big male quickly grabbed the calf and sank his massive canines into the nape of its neck.
Completely outmuscled, the calf could do nothing as the lion pinned it to the ground. In fact, it looked like the motionless calf was dead.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Unwanted attention
Despite there being barely a sound beyond the gasps of amazement of the tourists, news of the fresh kill spread quickly. First on the scene were a pair of jackals seen scampering in the background.
Still kicking
Then, to our surprise, the calf began kicking its legs as it lay at the lion’s feet. In response, the cat once again began throttling it
As it did, a second lion appeared on the horizon, quickly making its way closer. As Manja explained, this was the first lion’s partner, come to share the spoils of the hunt.
Male lions often form alliances, allowing them to protect larger territories than if they were alone. Consequently, anything one catches inevitably ends up being shared with its ally.
As the footage ends, we leave the pair tucking into their meal. Shared between the two, it won’t go far, but it should sustain them until they find something bigger.
