Watch The Sighting Here:
Field guide Tarryn Rae filmed the action and sent it with her story to Latest Sightings. She filmed it on a game drive near Mankwe Dam in Pilanesberg National Park.
Experience Counts
Tarryn told Latest Sightings that when she heard lions had been found, she didn’t rush. Later, after seeing the lions on the move, she took her group to Mankwe Hide for a comfort stop.
While there, she heard that the lions had arrived at the dam. Moments later, a herd of wildebeest arrived, unknowingly making their way towards the lions.
Wisely, Tarryn decided to follow the wildebeest, setting her up with front row seats for the drama to follow.
Small Hill
A small hill concealed the lions and wildebeest from each other’s view. Subsequently, as the leading lioness crested it, she spotted the oncoming wildebeest and immediately crouched in their path.
The lioness is just visible in the centre of the image above.
Oblivious
Meanwhile, the wildebeest continued, unaware of the danger ahead. Tarryn said, “As they got within a couple of metres of the lioness, she jumped up and ran towards them. The herd turned and ran for their lives.”
Unfortunate Choice
However, unlike the rest of the herd that ran from danger, the leading wildebeest made an unfortunate choice. Lowering her head, she attempted to gore the lioness with her sharp horns.
Flipped The Script
Narrowly avoiding the swiping horns, the lioness set off in pursuit. In seconds, she caught up with the fleeing wildebeest and launched onto its back.
Her claws embedded in her prey’s flanks, the lioness endured a brief ‘rodeo ride’.
Then, using a combination of her weight and momentum, she brought the wildebeest to the ground.
The Pride Arrives
By now, the lioness’s pride arrived to assist the lioness in subduing the struggling victim. Among them were four cubs, subadult males, and another lioness.
The lioness had shifted her grip, clamping her jaws on the wildebeest’s throat. In turn, the wildebeest was not about to give up.
Despite one of the males straddling the wildebeest’s hindquarters, she refused to go down.
Free… For A Moment
A short while later, the wildebeest somehow managed to wrestle herself free. In the process, one of the cubs had to dash for safety.
However, the cow’s freedom was short-lived. With so many lions so close, she was never going to get far.
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Overwhelmed
The lioness once again grabbed her by the throat, waiting for the other pride members to bring her down. But, as the males and other lionesses looked on, the cub wasn’t having much luck.
Only when the two males threw their combined weight in did the plucky wildebeest begin to falter.
Soon enough, she collapsed in a heap, and the pride descended, eager to begin their meal.
As the second lioness approached, she went straight for the tender flesh between the hind legs. However, she may have sensed another, even juicier prize.
Grim Finale
Tarry said, “No sooner had I said to my guests that it looked like a pregnant wildebeest, than the lioness ripped the fetus out and turned away from the rest of the pride.
“That for me was a real emotional part of the whole thing. We watched them eating for a while and then left the sighting to give others a chance to see.”
In closing, Tarryn was pragmatic, “If you ever get the opportunity to view something like this, it is ok to be emotional about it, but above all, also realise how lucky you are to get to witness nature doing what it does.”