A defenseless buffalo calf was the target of a clan of hyenas. The young animal stood no chance against the hunters, crying out in distress as the attack ensued.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Buffalo are among the most formidable herd animals in Africa, and calves are normally guarded closely by mothers and surrounding adults. This one, however, was alone, surrounded by the shadows of night.
First hyena approaches calf
The first of the hyenas approached the calf, unperturbed by the spotlight coming from the game viewing vehicle.
The calf was lying in the grass. Without adults nearby, it was completely helpless to the onslaught.
Hyenas are highly opportunistic by nature and constantly assess weakness. A lone calf, especially one that is very young, represents a high-reward, lower-risk target compared to a full-grown buffalo.
A single hyena might test the calf, but attacks are more often carried out by the clan.
Distress calf tries to move away from hyena
As the hyena lashed out at the calf, it stood up and tried to get away, crying out with distress.
This was a heartbreaking moment, as the buffalo adults were nowhere in sight.
A hyena clan will usually approach a calf cautiously at first, probing for resistance. Once they realise the calf cannot defend itself, the attack becomes decisive.
More hyenas emerge from the shadows
More hyenas emerged from the shadows. The calf was now surrounded by the hungry creatures.
Hyenas typically go for the hindquartres and flanks of a buffalo, using repeated bites to bring the calf down. Their strategy relies on persistence and teamwork rather than a single overpowering strike.
Even though a buffalo calf is small compared to an adult, it can still struggle and vocalise loudly, which sometimes alerts the herd.
These hyenas tore at the calf’s flesh, and its cries rung out through the bushveld.
If an adult buffalo was nearby, the situation would have changed instantly. Buffalo are known for their strong defensive behavior, and cows will charge predators aggressively to protect their young. There are many cases where hyenas are chased off, or even injured or killed, when a herd rallies around a calf.
However, in this instance, there were no adults nearby to hear the calf’s cries for help. The calf was too far from protection and the hyenas quickly took advantage of its vulnerability.
Hyenas close in on calf
The vicious hyenas surrounded the calf and carried out their brutal attack. They began to feed on the calf even while it was still alive.
Hyenas sometimes begin feeding while their prey is still alive.
Unlike big cats that rely on suffocation (a throat clamp), hyenas tend to attack the hindquartres and flanks, tearing into muscle and soft tissue to bring the animal down through blood loss and shock.
Because of this method, it can happen that feeding begins before the prey has fully died.
These events, while harsh, are part of how ecosystems function. Predators like hyenas depend on such opportunities to survive, and they play a role in shaping the behaviour and cohesion of prey animals like buffalo, reinforcing the importance of staying within the safety of the herd.