Lions are master predators, known to specifically target the most vulnerable prey. In this video, a zebra’s prior injury marks it for death.
Christo Nel sent this dramatic footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed the action while visiting South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park.
Lioness lying low
As we join Christo at the sighting, we see a tawny shape crouched low against a backdrop of burnt grass. It is a lioness, with her attention focused on distant prey.
Lions are ambush predators. This means they use stealth to stalk within striking distance of their prey.
Zebra at risk
Subsequently, pans his camera to show a solitary Burchell’s zebra lagging behind the rest of its herd. As a group animal that relies on its fellows to help detect danger, it is at risk.
Subsequently, we realise why the zebra is struggling to keep up. As Christo told Latest Sightings, “I saw [the] Zebra limping and thought to myself that today it’s game over for you.”
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Target identified
And Christo was not the only one who had noticed. In typical fashion, the patient predator had identified the weakest member of the herd.
Consequently, she rose to pursue the zebra. As she does so, we note that she has a tracking collar around her neck.
Researchers use these radio and satellite collars to monitor wildlife movements and behaviours, helping inform conservation management strategies.
At full stretch
As the lioness closes in on the unsuspecting zebra, her long strides rapidly close the gap. Lions can reach a maximum speed of 85 km/h for short distances of up to 400 metres.
However, when she sees that her prey is still not running away, she slows substantially.
Subsequently, she runs into a gully, where we lose sight of her behind vegetation.
Herd reacts
As a result, Christo pans wildly, briefly showing the rest of the herd fleeing the oncoming predator.
However, as anticipated, it is the injured zebra that is targeted.
Although the moment of impact is hidden from view, we can just make out the lioness struggling to subdue it.
Meanwhile, a second lioness rushes in to assist her pride mate. In the background, the rest of the zebras flee for their lives.
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Prey secured
Consequently, Christo repositions his vehicle, affording us a clear view of the lioness with her prey. In typical fashion, she has clamped her jaws over the zebra’s throat.
By doing so, she blocks its windpipe, stifling its calls and cutting off its air supply. Nonetheless, the zebra struggles to escape, even as the second lioness helps pin it down.
Since it can take up to ten minutes to asphyxiate prey, it is difficult to watch the zebra’s kicking legs as it gets progressively weaker.
Age-old ecological principle
Thankfully, the zebra doesn’t take too long to expire. By this time, a young male lion has arrived to join the feast.
While it is a sad end for the zebra, the sighting perfectly illustrates the age-old ecological principle of “Survival of the fittest”.
