The memorable moment was picked up by Ting Vision at Mjejane Lion Rock.
Ting Vision is an AI-powered wildlife monitoring and content-generation system developed by Latest Sightings to help lodges, private properties and wildlife-viewing locations detect animals in real time.
Using cameras with a wide field of view, the system continuously scans different sections of the landscape and uses AI to identify wildlife as it appears. When an animal is detected, the system sends an alert via WhatsApp, telling guests where to look so that they don’t miss a sighting!
The system also records the encounters. This is exactly what it did here, capturing an epic moment where a lioness attempted to hunt some waterbuck.
Waterbuck oblivous to lioness’ presence
The waterbuck were completely oblivious to the lioness’ presence. She hid behind some bushes. However Ting Vision saw her, even though she was fairly well camouflaged!
The lioness was hunting alone and would have had much more success had she had her pride with her. Lionesses are strategic and when they are accompanied by pride members in their hunting efforts, their joint efforts make for a lethal combination. Especially when it comes to large prey, like waterbuck.
The camera continued to film as the lioness hid behind the bush, waiting for the opportune moment to launch an ambush.
The waterbuck continued to graze, completely unaware that a predator was nearby.
Lioness fails in hunting attempt
However, with all that stalking, it seems the lioness forgot to charge.
By the time she was out in the open, the waterbuck were already making their way into the distance.
She was too late.
Having executed the perfect sneaking act, hidden completely from the waterbuck, she failed to break into a sprint and go for the kill.
She was so well camouflaged, there were moments she was even hidden from Ting Vision, however, without launching into a chase, the stalking act did her little good.
With the waterbuck now out of reach, the lioness turned as though to look at the camera.
In spite of having failed in her hunting, perhaps she could redeem herself by posing for a good portrait… or at least, that’s how it appeared.
But she didn’t keep look out towards the Ting Vision camera for too long.
Her attention soon returned to the waterbuck, which were now out of her reach. She had evaded their detection, however, she had also forfeited the hunt.
Next time, it would probably suit her best to rally her pride members and show Ting what lions do best… teamwork.
Alone lioness can hunt a waterbuck, although taking down a healthy adult is challenging. Waterbuck are large, powerful antelope, and their size, strength and ability to run through dense vegetation make them difficult prey.
A solitary lioness is more likely to target a young, injured, old or otherwise vulnerable waterbuck. She may stalk from cover before launching a short, explosive chase, trying to get close enough to bring the animal down. Lions generally have greater success hunting waterbuck cooperatively, where several members of a pride can approach from different directions and overwhelm the antelope.
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