The Ngala Safari Lodge area is known for its dense populations of lions, hyenas, and other large carnivores, all competing for the same limited resource: meat.
What unfolded in this particular sighting was a dramatic expression of that competition. The massive prize was a dead hippo.
Hyenas settle in for a feed
When Miki came across the sighting, the hyenas were already enjoying their feast. They had gathered in numbers; 22 to be exact.
The hyena could be heard making their distinctive ‘whoop’ sounds as they scavenged from the carcass. A hippo is a big animal and this large clan of hyenas were each having their fair share of meat.
Spread around the hippo, they fed in shifts. Some ripped into the softer belly, while others stood guard, ears alert. Their eerie vocalisations echoing across the bush.
Hyenas are highly social and organised, relying on numbers to defend food. In many cases, they can even push lions off a kill if they significantly outnumber them.
It seemed their feeding would continue forever, however, there was about to be a plot twist! What could possibly come against 22 hyenas?
Unexpected intruders leave hyenas fleeing
Miki became aware something was up when the hyenas lifted their heads from feeding; detecting something in the distance.
They then put foot to chase and started to run away.
And it is just as well. A large, determined pride of lions, mostly lionesses, was approaching. These beauties came out of hiding in droves, charging towards the kill with the majesty and determination which lions seem to pull off so well. There were 22 of them!
What can come against 22 hyena? It seems the answer is 22 lions!
A walkover victory for lion pride
Despite their numbers, the hyenas could not withstand so many lions. Hyenas are resilient and opportunistic but they do know when to retreat and wait for another chance.
The lions hadn’t needed to pursue far. Their objective had never been to eliminate the hyenas. Rather, their aim was to secure the carcass which they did with speed and finesse – true lioness style.
Now, the hippo belonged to them.
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Just to add a ‘cherry on top’ to the wonderous moment, it appeared that one of the lionesses was in fact a white lion. White lions have been recorded in Ngala as part of resident prides, like the Birmingham pride. White lions are not a separate species. They are a rare genetic colour variant of lions caused by leucism. Only a small number exist in the wild worldwide, and their population fluctuates over time due to survival challenges.
Whether or not this was one of the rare white lions occasionally glimpsed in the reserve, what remains clear is that animals, like people, are social and depend on one another to get results. Such a large clan of hyenas would be unshakeable under any other circumstance, however, this clan had finally met a force too large to overcome.