When a lone wildebeest spotted three approaching predators, it didn’t panic. Rather than waste its energy bolting at the first sign of danger, it opted to watch and wait.
A Mark Fox from Exploring Kruger, who witnessed the interaction, in South Africa’s Kruger National Park submitted the footage to Latest Sightings.
Watch the video here:
Potential danger
As the video begins, we encounter a potentially dangerous scenario. Three spotted hyenas stalk across an open plain.
In the background, a lone male wildebeest stands sentinel over his territory. Bulls maintain temporary territories, hoping to mate with any females that pass through.
Comfort zone
As the bull notices the approaching predators, he does something that may come as a surprise. Instead of running for the hills, he actually walks closer for a better look.
Like all animals, the wildebeest makes use of comfort zones. These are areas around them within which they feel comfortable in the presence of other species, particularly predators. Therefore, we can safely assume that at this stage, the bull feels he can outrun the hyenas should they attack.
Let’s go!
Suddenly, the lead hyena breaks into a loping canter. However, its two clanmates continue walking at the same pace.
Spotted hyenas are “cursorial” hunters, meaning they use their incredible stamina to run down their prey. Nevertheless, even as it gets closer, the wildebeest barely takes any notice.
Off on a tangent
Meanwhile, the other two hyenas seem to go off on a tangent, ignoring their comrade altogether. At this stage, it is not clear whether they’ve spotted a different target or have other things on their minds.
As you’d expect from Africa’s most formidable scavenger-predator, hyenas have incredible sensory abilities. Not only do they use these super senses to detect prey, but also to communicate with one another.
Sniffing stalks
Consequently, when the lead hyena turns to check whether its comrades are keeping up, it finds that they are more interested in sniffing stalks than chasing a potential meal.
As for the wildebeest, he still lurks in the background. It seems his instinct has served him well, sparing him from wasting energy unnecessarily.
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Communicating by smell
Now, you might wonder why a hyena would be more interested in sniffing a stalk than chasing a juicy wildebeest. Surprisingly, the answer relates to communication.
As they roam their vast territories, hyenas mark territory with a strong-smelling secretion from their anal glands. Pastelike, the secretion identifies individuals and informs others of their reproductive status. It also serves to warn off rival clans.
Having had a good sniff, the two hyenas then take turns leaving scent markings of their own. In the video, you can see them lift a hind leg before dragging a stem between their hind legs.
What could be more important than food
Subsequently, we see the lead hyena backtrack to the others. Having seen the other two marking territory, perhaps he doesn’t want to be left out of the local gossip.
As the video ends, we’re reminded that there is one thing that occasionally trumps food in the lives of wild animals: sex.