Watch the sighting here:
Despite an aggressive effort, a mother giraffe could not keep a clan of hyenas at bay. This, when they started to devour the body of her deceased calf.
Alexandra Olivieri sent her record of the encounter to Latest Sightings. She filmed it while leading a game drive from King’s Camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.
Setting the scene
Alexandra explains, “My tracker and I spotted a net of vultures coming down from the sky… when we decided to investigate what the vultures were being attracted to.”
Little did she know that she was about to witness a unique interaction. Arriving on the scene, they found a clan of hyenas eating a baby giraffe carcass.
A distraught mother looks on
Nearby, a female giraffe paced anxiously, traumatised at the sight before her.
Weary of her size, the hyenas would retreat slighting whenever she approached. However, having had a taste of the fresh carcass, they were not about to give up easily.
But neither was she.
Back and forth
Whenever the giraffe moved off slightly, the hyenas would return to tear at the carcass.
Prompting the mother to charge back in, scattering the hyenas.
Kicking and growling
Alexandra elaborates, “It was quite a shock as we weren’t expecting such a scene. The fierceness of the female giraffe was just remarkable. I think that was the most shocking to us – her growling and stomping to fight the hyenas off.”
Mother in mourning
Equally disturbing were moments of real sadness when she would bend down to sniff her calf. Almost as if wishing this was a nightmare, that the calf would suddenly spring back to life.
As it got darker, the drama continued. The mother would stand over the calf’s body, guarding it. Perhaps feeling safe, she would then move off.
Each time the female retreated, the hyenas moved in once again. Time and again this macabre back and forth played out.
As hungry as they were, the hyenas remained cautious when the giraffe approached. One kick from her long leg and heavy hoof could easily kill one of them.
Into the darkness
As night fell, Alexandra and her guests returned to camp. The next day they returned, curious what had transpired overnight.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Arriving at the scene, they found the clan still feeding on the carcass. In a final twist, a male lion arrived and stole the scant remains.
Advice from a field guide
Alexandra shared the following suggestions for those on safari, “Follow the signs of the bush. If it hadn’t been for the vultures we wouldn’t have been able to witness any of it.”
Also, “Remain sensitive to the scene that unfolds in front of you. Give the animals space, allow them to continue with you just as an observer, without interfering or impacting the sighting.”
Human nature vs Nature
Bearing witness to the beauty and cruelty of Nature can be emotionally challenging. As humans, we are prone to projecting our emotional values onto wildlife.
However, our best intentions don’t always align with what is best for ecosystems and their inhabitants. In this instance, the unfortunate death of a baby giraffe brought sustenance to scavengers.
Additionally, these nutrients would nourish the soil and plants. And these in turn would feed herbivores.
This circle of life, when viewed objectively, is where the true beauty of Nature lies.