The lioness had eyed the wildebeest herd before charging, and identified the most vulnerable member of the herd.
Predators will often single out sick or young animals from a herd. This is especially true when larger prey, such as wildebeest or buffalo, are concerned.
Unfortunately, this baby wildebeest was identified as the target.
A lioness is the primary hunter in a pride and is known for her stealth and calculated movements when approaching prey such as a wildebeest.
She often stalks her target silently, using tall grass or natural cover to remain hidden until she is close enough to launch a surprise attack.
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With her sight set on the calf, this lioness prepared to charge.
Lioness launches surprise attack
The charge was quick and powerful. The lioness quickly closed the gap between herself and her target.
Wildebeests are strong and agile animals which rely on speed and stamina to avoid predators. When a lioness charges, they may attempt to outrun her by sprinting or zigzagging to make capture more difficult.
They are also capable of using their horns defensively to fend off an attack, particularly if the lioness misses her initial strike.
However, the wildebeest calf lacked the size or speed to successfully fend off the attack. It was no match for the lioness.
She swiftly caught up with the young animal. The action was scintillating and fast-paced and before long, it was evident that a kill had been made.
Wildebeest calf succumbs to lioness attack
The lioness could be seen holding the wildebeest calf in its strong jaws. The kill had been quick. This lioness was well-honed in her hunting skills and she single-handedly brought down the young wildebeest, without the help of her pride.
She stood in the open, holding the lifeless wildebeest calf in a heartrending moment.
She could be seen carrying the young wildebeest across the bushy terrain.
She walked alone, triumphant in spite of being without her pride. The remaining wildebeest watched on as she disappeared from view.
Peace returns to bushveld setting
Following the commotion of the kill, peace again returned to the bushveld setting.
Now, what remained was for the lioness to find a secluded area to enjoy her feast without the disturbance of scavengers and other predators.
A lone lioness feeding on a wildebeest calf usually takes 30 minutes to about an hour to consume most of the carcass, depending on her hunger level and the size of the calf. Calves are smaller and easier to eat than adult wildebeests, so she can strip off the soft organs and meat relatively quickly.
The lioness will typically begin by tearing open the stomach area to eat the liver, heart, and other internal organs first because they are rich in nutrients. Once the organs are consumed, she will feed on the muscle and softer parts. If undisturbed, she may rest and return to eat more over the next few hours until the calf is almost completely devoured.