Vadia Rautenbach Fourie was visiting the Kruger National Park when she filmed this incident, which she sent to Latest Sightings. The action took place on the S121, between Malelane and Skukuza Rest Camps.
Build-up
Vadia told Latest Sightings that after an exciting day of game viewing, she came across a pair of lions watching some impalas and zebras grazing peacefully.
Suddenly, the lions stalked off in different directions. Initially, Vadia thought they might go for the impalas, but moments later, pandemonium broke out. The lions were after the zebras, which ran right past her vehicle, braying as they fled.
Chaotic scenes
As we join the action in her video, the camera pans wildly before settling on a remarkable sight. One of the lionesses had brought down a zebra foal, just metres in front of her vehicle.
The unfortunate foal stood little chance against the might and experience of the lion. In an instant, the predator had seized it at the base of the skull, possibly killing it instantly.
Broken neck
In the image below, it looks like the lion may have broken the foal’s neck.
The action unfolded so quickly that it seems Vadia’s companion had no idea what had happened right in front of them.
As she drew their attention to the location of the kill, the lioness easily lifted her prey and dragged it off the road.
Seeing her practically run off with its limp carcass, one is awestruck at her power and efficiency.
Into cover
Possibly to avoid detection by vultures and other scavengers, the lioness dragged the foal into a stand of trees.
In the image above, we can just make out the zebra’s striped rump with the lion standing over it.
Others arrive
Moments later, the second lioness arrived to share the spoils of the hunt. Statistically, lion hunts are most successful when between two and five lions are involved.
However, moments later, it became apparent that they weren’t the only ones looking for a meal. Probably having heard the other zebras’ alarm calls earlier on, it wasn’t long before a lone spotted hyena was seen.
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Be careful what you wish for
But, standing on the road, the hyena couldn’t quite see what it was getting itself into.
According to Vadia, “While we were watching and trying to get our heartbeats back to normal, a hyena made an appearance and moved towards the two proud lions with their latest meal.”
However, she explained, the moment it caught sight of the two lionesses feeding on their prize, it sensibly turned tail and headed off in the opposite direction.
Factors affecting hunting success
Surprisingly, the successful hunt that Vadia witnessed was the exception, rather than the norm. In the Kruger National Park, lions succeed in only 1 out of every 3 hunts they attempt.
As mentioned, group size is a determining factor. Additionally, in that they are stalk-and-ambush hunters, the amount of available cover can make all the difference.
When they hunt is also important. They are about twice as likely to succeed when they hunt at night.
Lions also have more success hunting lone animals or those in smaller groups, since they are less likely to be detected.
This all serves to highlight how fortunate Vadia was to witness this hunt, literally right before her eyes.