Watch the sighting here:
Safari guide David Pusey from Leo Vantage Private Guided Safaris sent this fascinating, if somewhat tragic, occurrence to Latest Sightings.
David filmed the incident on the H4-1 near Skukuza, in the Kruger National Park.
On the prowl
The video starts with a lone lioness stalking through the bush. She appears focussed on something ahead of her.
Breaking cover
Next, the video cuts to two impala lambs as they break cover to flee the approaching predator.
Fleeing impala lambs——->
According to David, “In their first few days after being born, lambs rely predominantly on hiding, since they are not fast enough to evade predators, yet.”
Sadly for them, the lioness spotted their flight and quickly caught up with the two lambs.
One down
In the next sequence, the lioness holds the limp body of one of the lambs clamped in her jaws.
Ever alert
Always on the lookout for an easy meal, the lion spots the second lamb and goes to investigate.
Then, as she approaches, she drops the first lamb on the ground.
She is now entirely focussed on the second lamb, which presumably lies frozen on the ground ahead.
Hidden from view
For a few moments, a small bush obscures our view of the lioness as she moves behind it. We then hear a plaintive bleat as the lioness picks up the second impala.
Motionless
At first, it appears that the tiny lamb is dead as it too hangs limply from the lion’s jaws.
But then, as the lioness returns to the carcass of the first impala, the second one starts kicking its legs as it struggles to get free.
Frantic effort
As the lion pins the tiny impala to the ground, its legs pinwheel frantically. It even lands a few well-placed, but ineffective blows to the predator’s face.
Playing with it’s food
Like a tabby with a mouse, the much bigger lion almost delicately toys with the stricken impala. As she does, we can see that it is still very much alive.
At one point, momentarily released, the lamb struggles to its feet. But, any hope of freedom is short-lived as the lion once again clamps its jaws around the impala’s head.
Coup de grâce
Eventually, as if tired of its wriggling prize, the lion again pushes it to the ground. Then, clamping its body, it delivers two crushing bites which likely prove fatal.
At last, the little lambs suffering is over. As the video, draws to an end, we see the its body now limp in the lion’s mouth.
Dine at leisure
According to Pusey, “Once she had caught both lambs, she stashed them under a bush to feed in peace.”
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While once we may have thought this killing wanton, it is a small comfort to know that both carcasses were consumed.
Safety in numbers
As herd animals, impalas have evolved a synchronised breeding strategy. This means that there is a defined breeding season.
In the Kruger Park, this normally takes place in November-December.
During this time, the herd females come into oestrus near-simultaneously. The herd male then impregnates as many as he can.
As mating took place over a short period, 6-7 months later the ewes will give birth within days of one another. In healthy ecosystems, the sudden abundance of lambs will exceed the amount that predators can consume.
Accordingly, about 50% of lambs will survive. Quite impressive when you consider how vulnerable they are for the first year of their lives.