Johan Van Zyl submitted this heartbreaking video to Latest Sightings. He filmed the interaction near Lake Ndutu, in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Left behind
As Johan relates in his account of the incident, the area around the lake is well-known for its healthy lion population. This is especially so during the annual wildebeest calving season, when the abundance of newborn calves attracts predators from far and wide.
He goes on to explain that during this time, many calves fail to keep up with the ceaseless movements of the herd. And it is just such a scenario that sets the scene for this video.
As the video begins, we’re confronted with a challenging site. An abandoned calf stands helpless, surrounded by a pride of lions.
Surprisingly, at first the lions appear uninterested. Although they’re well aware of the wildebeest, even the passing cubs show only a passing interest.
Clueless calf
Just when we think that this might be one very lucky calf, one of the lionesses suddenly turns towards it. She approaches as if she has all the time in the world.
And in a sense, she is right, the confused calf makes no effort to flee, seemingly unaware of the approaching danger.
Full belly
The lioness’s body language is all threat, her head held low as she advances on the calf as it backpedals slightly.
As the lioness presents her side profile, we note that her belly is full, probably from a recent meal. This explains the pride’s virtual indifference: there is so much food about, they get to pick and choose.
However, predators hunt instinctively, even when they’re full and particularly if the opportunity is too easy to resist.
Final act of defiance
As the lion gets ever closer, the calf shuffles nervously, before a final act of defiance. Lowering its head, it charges the lion.
Even the cubs in the background seem stunned by its futile bravery.
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Swift and savage
Predictably, this does not end well for the calf. The experienced huntress easily dodges the headbutt and savagely seizes the calf by the throat.
In a split second, the lion slams the calf to the ground and clamps its windpipe with its canines, cutting off its air supply.
The calf shows no signs of life afterward, suggesting the lioness may have broken its neck when she brought it down.
Seasonal glut
As the lioness walks off with its limp prize, the wildebeest’s life is over before it had really started. And it will be one of many, as the predators of the area take advantage of the seasonal glut of food.
Scenes like this can be challenging to watch. However, it is important to remember that they are vital to the healthy functioning of the greater ecosystem.
Wildebeest synchronise their breeding, mating during a specific season and then giving birth during a distinct calving period. All the females deliver within 2-3 weeks.
While many calves won’t survive, at least 50% will make it through their first year. This means, the species as a whole thrives, while providing much needed sustenance to a host of other animals.