Hyenas are famous for their habit of swooping in to steal the hard-earned kills of other predators. This is not a reputation which they’ve won unfairly, and this footage from Nkorho Bush Lodge shows just how relentless they can be.
Karin van der Merwe caught this fierce battle on camera, and sent it in to Latest Sightings. The lone lion had made a kill that lay almost completely hidden in the tall grass, and this clan of hungry hyenas wanted a taste of it.
Stealing kills is a valid feeding tactic that lions will also engage in if they have the opportunity. For animals with clan, pack or pride social structures, overwhelming lone competitors can guarantee an easy meal.
Against The Mob
Spotted hyena clans can reach surprisingly high numbers of individuals, with some of them reaching over seventy, or even a hundred hyenas. Luckily for the lion, these clans do not typically roam in such high numbers.
Hyenas will hunt in smaller groups, although for this lion, small is relative. Despite her larger size and greater strength, this lioness was facing overwhelming odds, and what’s even more impressive was that she was standing her ground.
The lioness’s kill was stashed beneath a large bush, which gave it some protection, but the hyenas were absolutely determined to either intimidate or irritate the lion into leaving it undefended.
Outnumbered And Outflanked
With the amount of hyenas running in circles around the bush, like a predatory natural tornado, they could pose enough of a threat that the lion had to act.
While the lion was chasing one hyena away, another could have a go at trying to steal the kill. The hyenas were organised, and they were quick, but this lioness knew their game.
Area Defense
Although she did take risks by directly charging and attacking hyenas that she picked out from the crowd, the lioness was always quick to return to her kill.
The hyenas may have outnumbered her, but she could fight off two or even three at once, and still make it back to the bush before any of her opponents could make off with her meal.
Time was running out for the hyenas, in-between their assaults the lioness appeared to be taking the time to consume small amounts of her kill, meaning they had to try and steal it before she could eat too much.
Get our Best Sightings as they Come in
Surrounded By Thieves
The hyenas had almost everything going their way. They had surrounded the lioness, and they only needed a few seconds to snatch their competitor’s kill, but despite their best efforts they couldn’t pull it off.
They hadn’t factored in the ferocity of the lioness that bravely managed to keep them at bay while it fed. This was truly an amazing display of strength and ferocity from the lion.
Exactly how long the lioness was able to defend her kill for is unknown, but by the time Karin stopped filming it looked like the hyenas had finally given up with hassling the lion.