Watch The Sighting Here:
Professor Peet Van Der Vyver recorded the intense predation drama and sent his account to Latest Sightings. He filmed it while on safari in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.
Kept At Bay
As we join the action, a male lechwe stands in a small waterhole, kept at bay by a pack of African wild dogs.
In a game of wits, the chattering dogs attempted to outflank the antelope. However, whenever they got too close, the lechwe lowered its head and charged.
Sudden Retreat
After this happened several times, the dogs suddenly withdrew, briefly leaving the antelope in peace.
However, its brief respite ended abruptly when two hyenas appeared moments later. Attracted by the commotion, the new arrivals made their intentions clear from the outset.
Not Backing Down
After fending off the dogs, the lechwe charged at the hyenas, turning defence into offence and scattering his tormentors.
However, being larger and more powerful, the hyenas’ attack was more brazen. Whereas the dogs barely got near the ram, one of the hyenas quickly managed to bite it on the shoulder.
Since hyenas possess powerful jaws, the lechwe was incredibly fortunate to escape their grip.
For some reason, the hyenas then retreated, opening the door for the dogs to resume their assault on the tormented lechwe.
Emboldened
Possibly emboldened by the hyenas’ tactics, this time around, one of the dogs managed to bite the ram’s rump.
However, the hyenas soon returned, forcing the dogs to retreat.
Staunch Defence
Seeing their return, the antelope turned to face them once more.
Perhaps frustrated by the ram’s staunch defence, the hyenas attacked more directly.
As for the ram, he met each new assault by lowering his head and slashing with his horns.
Meanwhile, the dogs had not moved far. The unfortunate lechwe, surrounded on one side by the dogs and hyenas on the other, had nowhere to run.
Same Tactics
As the standoff continued, one of the hyenas sat down at the water’s edge while a second tried to grab the ram. Yet again, the hyena fled when the ram charged.
Different Outcome
As the second hyena ran, the lechwe spotted the sitting hyena nearby. Determined to impale it, it turned its attention to the closer animal.
With this, the lechwe’s rear was exposed, allowing the other hyena to run in and grab it on the rump. This time, there was no letting go.
The Clan Descends
Seeing the ram now firmly in the grasp of their compatriot, the rest of the clan joined the fray. In seconds, several hyenas had their jaws clamped on the brave ram.
Dragging it out of the water, they quickly dispatched their prey.
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A Second Kill
Meanwhile, the dogs had managed to secure a meal of their own. Like the hyenas, they made short work of the kill and set about engorging themselves.
Unbelievably, unsatisfied with the lechwe kill, the hyenas then arrived to challenge the dogs for the impala.
Although outnumbered, being bigger than the dogs, they soon overpowered them and their kill.
While some of the dogs tried biting the hyena’s rumps, their efforts were futile in the face of the hyena’s bloodlust.
Ultimately, the dogs were left with no choice but to move on in search of a meal elsewhere. Hopefully, this time, with no hyenas in sight. Or earshot.
Once again, Mother Nature’s display reminds us that she should never be underestimated, nor thought predictable.