Safety in the wild is never guaranteed, and hunters can come from any direction at any time. These kudu learned the hard way that they always needed to keep their guard up against predators.
In this footage the ntsevu pride, active in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, took advantage of the kudu not being on full alert, and went straight into the hunt. Putting sudden pressure on these antelope put them at risk of making mistakes the big cats could capitalize on.
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Peaceful Grazing
The kudu were blissfully unaware of the danger they were in as they grouped around a large bush that served as their meal. Three of them had grouped together to munch on the branches at the beginning of the footage.
For the lioness, this was a golden opportunity. With the kudu peacefully feeding, she had a good chance of being able to creep close enough that when she eventually pounced she would take them by surprise.
If she could keep from putting the kudu on high alert then she would be able to get herself properly setup for the perfect ambush on animals that looked like they had their guard down.
Sudden Chaos
When the lioness picked her moment, the group of kudu suddenly realized that they were in mortal danger and desperately scattered. The lioness had timed it well, and her panicked prey weren’t sure which way to turn.
One kudu started running in one direction, and then changed its mind and turned to run almost back the way it had come, giving the lioness the perfect opportunity to close the gap.
Being surprised with a life or death scenario at dinner is going to ruin anyone’s meal, but under the stress of the sudden development the kudu just weren’t sure in which direction to flee.
Front Row Seats
The group in the safari vehicle were only meters away as the lioness made her move, and they could see in detail as the hungry cat took advantage of her prey’s mistake and brought it down.
A second lioness emerged from behind the bush and seemed to sprint in the direction that one of the other kudu had fled, but even if she was unsuccessful, the lions had a meal secured.
This second lioness was too far behind the initial scare to do much, so she came back to the first and watched over the successful lioness as she held the kudu on the ground, waiting for the struggle to stop.
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The Final Moments
It’s never pleasant watching trapped prey struggling so desperately for the chance to live, but when another lioness came to assist the first with holding it in place, it was clear that these were going to be the kudu’s last moments alive.
The group in the vehicle could see clearly as the lioness sank her teeth deeper into the antelope’s neck, and its energy slowly failed as its struggles came to an end.
A sad and painful end for the kudu, but a vital meal and continued survival for the hungry lions makes it difficult to root for either side. In the end, it was a thrilling sighting for those in the vehicle.