As a lone lioness fed on a giraffe carcass, an ominous sound echoed through the darkness. Despite a determined defence, as the threat closed in, she had to accept the inevitable.
Warren Oosthuizen submitted this intense footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while on a game drive from Kirkman’s Kamp in South Africa’s Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
Lioness in the spotlight
As we join Warren at the sighting, we see a lone lioness feeding on a giraffe carcass. He told Latest Sightings that he had earlier found the kill after following lion spoor, before vultures alerted him to the carcass.
Returning after nightfall, he began filming. However, he soon realised that they were not alone in the darkness.
Ominous cackling laughter
From the shadows beyond, an ominous cackling laughter resonated through the still night air. For the lioness, the signs were clear: trouble was approaching.
In between mouthfuls of flesh, she nervously scanned the surrounding darkness. The sound was unmistakable; spotted hyenas were closing in.
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Determined defence
From the sounds in the video, it is clear that there are several hyenas nearby. Statistically, a solitary lion can contend with four hyenas.
Perhaps thinking this was the case, the lioness repeatedly charged into the darkness, determined to drive off the scavengers. For a while, it worked, and she returned to feed before charging off again.
The tide turns
However, as the hyenas’ whoops grew more incessant, it dawned on the brave cat: the tide was turning against her.
Suddenly, her fears were realised. Before we even realise what is happening, we see her flee, stumbling over the carcass in the process.
Then, as she cleared the carcass, the first hyena emerged from the darkness…
And this time, the lioness didn’t return.
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Scavenger tsunami
No sooner had she disappeared than the first hyena arrived at the carcass. Like a dam collapse, it began with a trickle.
Seconds later, more arrived, each tearing greedily at the giraffe.
Before long, the scene descended into a feeding frenzy, with the sounds of growls, cackles, and ripping flesh echoing through the night.
Eventually, it was almost impossible to say how many hyenas arrived, although Warren estimates there were more than 30. Throughout the video, the sound of others whooping in the distance tells us that more were on the way.
Twist in the tale
Having successfully driven off their rival, the clan tucked in for a well-deserved meal. Once again, their unity and mob mentality saw them prevail.
However, as Warren explained, there was a fitting caveat to the tale. He later found that the lions had killed a second giraffe nearby, and the lioness and three others were busy feasting on it.
That said, how long before more hyenas arrived to steal that one too?
