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31-year-old, industrial psychologist, Gabi Hotz, saw this unparalleled scene unfold. To add to the unbelievable sighting, the hyena snatched the impala fetus from the mother’s womb after it had been killed and devoured the entire young animal.
Djuma Sabi Sand, Greater Kruger set the stage for this memorable experience.
Late afternoon by the waterhole
Gabi says that they had enjoyed afternoon sundowners and gone out for a game drive at a time of the day when the bush was extremely tranquil and peaceful.
However, the peace was soon shattered by a wild dog, which Gabi says created absolute pandemonium. The wild dog spotted an impala and gave chase.
Impalas are able to run at speeds faster than 60km/h, however, an impala being chased by a wild dog stands very little chance of getting out of the situation alive.
The impala was chased into the water, and miraculously guided by a hippo which then helped the frightened animal to the other side.
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Wild dog catches up with impala
Sadly, the wild dog chased the impala to where it had emerged from the water, and there, she quickly succumbed to its ambush.
In that painful moment, an even more heartbreaking scenario unfolded. A hyena quickly joined the wild dog to partake in the feast, with hyenas being opportunistic feeders, which many times will scavenge on the kills of other predators.
The hyena ripped the impala open and a second impala was revealed: a fully-formed impala fetus. This fully formed fetus stood no chance at life as it was snatched up to be devoured. The hyena ran off with the fetus, caught in a feeding frenzy.
“The impala fetus was devoured within minutes,” said Gabi.
In a poignant moment, the hippo which had guided the impala across the river, came out to inspect the dead impala.
This really was an unforgettable scenario: hippo helps impala; impala taken down by wild dog; hyena enters the scene revealing the impala fetus.
But it didn’t stop there.
Leopard enters the scene
Another predator entered just then. A leopard which had been watching from a nearby tree. She had waited for her chance to get her share.
“The commotion caused by a nearby herd of elephants resulted in the feasting wild dog running to join the rest of the pack. This created enough of a distraction for Cara (the leopard) to take the leap and steal the impala, pulling it into the tree away from any hungry mouths,” said Gabi.
Gabi says they watched in shock and sadness at the fate of the poor impala and her unborn offspring. She says that for her, this was a surreal reminder that nature can be cruel.
In the clip, she can be heard being comforted as she sheds some tears for the little impala and its mother.
Still Gabi remains in awe of the bushveld: “I am grateful for the time I get to spend in Africa, my home and the biggest piece of my heart!” she said.