The lone kudu stood no chance against the relentless predators.
Lions’ presence shakes peaceful bushveld setting
The encounter began in silence. The kudu browsed quietly in the thicket. Nearby, a pride of lions lay low in the grass, eyes fixed on the antelope.
The lions assessed the kudu’s awareness, its direction, and how close it would come.
Kudu are sharp-eyed and can bolt in a second, so timing and teamwork from the pride are essential in securing a kill.
Lions launch brutal attack
Once the kudu stepped within range, the lions launched their ambush. The kudu’s long legs and strong muscles made him a difficult target. However the lions cut off his path with their coordinated attack.
They went for the kudu’s hindquartres with full force. Lions are cautious of the kudu’s spiral horns. When hunting kudus, they try to avoid the front of the animal.
Kudu horns are among the most striking features in the African bush. Only male kudus have horns, and their spiral shape can twist two-and-a half times, sometimes even more. This corkscrew shape is unique in the antelope world and makes kudu easily identifiable. These horns can reach up to 1,2m in length.
Injuries from prey are a major risk to lions, especially in the wild where a torn leg or internal injury can be fatal over time.
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When lions take down a full-grown kudu, it is a brutal test of power and endurance. The takedown was explosive. The kudu stumbled under the weight of the lions. He fought, kicked and twisted, but he couldn’t get up.
Lions begin to feed while kudu is still alive
The kudu writhed with pain but the lions continued their onslaught. They began to feast even though the kudu was still alive.
Many times lions will tear at the throat of prey, ending the animal’s life quickly. However, these lionesses attacked chiefly from the hindquartres, avoiding the horns of the kudu.
The initial damage to the kudu’s body wasn’t fatal and so the kudu remained clinging to life while the lions continued to feed.
It was a terrible moment to watch, with the magnificent buck lying on the ground, close to death.
Kudu succumbs to lions attacks
The kudu eventually breathed its last. It was a sad moment, however, death for the kudu was a welcome relief.
A mature kudu bull can weigh up to 300 to 315kg. For lions, this makes it a challenging and dangerous target. However, it also makes for a tremendous meal. Lions will sometimes feed on a kudu carcass for many hours. Feeding begins with the soft organs and continues through the night and into the next day if left undisturbed.
This kind of sighting is rare but unforgettable. It shows the hard truths of life in the bushveld. Often there is a thin, flickering line between life and death.
The sad truth is the predators must eat to survive and this often means a heartrending sight.
