An ambush attack takes some time to set up properly, and it relies on an element of luck just as much as skill and experience. These lionesses were about to learn that the hard way.
Marka Mashele caught these big cats attempting to hunt on camera at the MalaMala Game Reserve, and documented their entire clumsy attempt as they watched several good opportunities pass them by.
On The Run
The impalas were already moving at the beginning of Marka’s footage, bounding across the ground just outside of what appeared to be some kind of rest camp, or lodge.
Lurking in the tall grass by the side of the riverbed, and watching the prey animals speed past were stealthy lionsses, blending in perfectly with the environment so that it could watch unseen.
Despite their speed, it was unclear if the impalas were aware of the presence of the lions. They didn’t seem to be trying to get away from them, and were actually passing rather closely in front of them at times.
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The Benefit Of Choice
With so many impalas passing nearby, the lion watching really didn’t need to rush. Obviously it would need to act before the herd in its entirety passed, but it had the option to leisurely wait until the best opportunity presented itself.
As long as the impalas didn’t spot it, there was always the chance that one would pass closer than the others, and then the lion would be able to burst from its cover and catch itself some dinner.
Eventually, on the riverbed behind it, the other lioness started lining itself up for its hunt properly, as two impalas passed by in the distance, and the lion began moving to match their speed and trajectory.
Missed Opportunities
For all its time spent leisurely watching the impala herd pass by, the opportunity that this lioness had decided to act on seemed like it was one of the worst ones. The impalas were some distance away and would see the lion coming.
If it came to a sprint, the impalas had a good chance of making it away from the sharp claws and teeth of the hunting lion, which is why these big cats typically wait for an opportunity to ambush their prey.
In this case, the good ambush opportunities must have passed this lion by, leaving it with no choice but to take the only option that was left open to it. But this meant the lion, which wasn’t built for long distance running, would have to close a big gap as quickly as it could.
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Off Into The Distance
With so much distance to try and cover, and the speed of the impalas to contend with, the lion looked to have little chance of securing itself a meal at this point.
It just didn’t have the stamina to keep up, and all it could do was watch its prospective prey disappear across the riverbed. These impalas would likely live to see another day, while the big cats would be going hungry.