Watch the sighting here:
A guest at King’s Camp, Timbavati, Weston Behlen sent his footage and account of the drama to Latest Sightings.
Seeking refuge
According to Behlen, he and his friends were alerted to the unfolding drama when they heard something slam into the window.
Upon investigating, they found the young kudu standing right outside their accommodation.
Bleeding
According to his account, the animal was frothing from the mouth and, “Its tail was missing which caused bleeding from behind.”
The kudu was so distraught, that it chose to stay right next to the hut despite the presence of a human nearby, As can be seen in the above image.
Alert
In the video, we hear Weston and his friends debating whether something else is out there. Moments later the injured calf turned its head as if to confirm their suspicions.
Then, as if tempting fate, one of them says, “What if a jungle cat just jumped on him right now?” No sooner have the words left his mouth than we hear a thud and further exclamations of surprise.
Hyena attacks
After a blur of motion, it turns out that a spotted hyena has attacked the kudu. Using brute strength, the hyena seized the kudu and threw it to the ground.
Hyena ——>
Unfortunately, it is hard to see exactly what happens next in the footage. However, it appears that the kudu managed to escape the initial onslaught.
Slippery surface
Subsequently, it looks as if the kudu finds itself on a slippery surface, possibly a tiled patio. Failing to find purchase with its hooves, it scrambled fruitlessly as the predator approached.
Shocking silhouette
When the hyena caught up to the kudu, the sight resembled a scene from a horror movie. The hyena approached the antelope and once again attacked.
By the neck
Somehow though, the calf once again managed to escape and sought refuge at the side of the chalet. Its bid for freedom was futile, however, as the hyena soon arrived and grabbed it by the neck.
Now pinned to the ground, the kudu appeared to look straight into the camera, pleading for help.
Fatal bite
Hyenas are known for their phenomenal bite force of up to 80 kilograms of force per square centimetre. When the kudu suddenly goes limp, it is safe to assume that its neck vertebra were crushed.
In all likelihood, this instantly killed the calf which shows no further signs of life.
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Having incapacitated its prey, the hyena dragged it into the shadows on the lawn.
The hyena makes for an eerie sight as it “smiles” towards the camera before starting to feed.
Soon after, other members of the hyena’s clan arrived to share the meal.
Rare and fascinating
Said Behlen afterwards, “The sighting ended when the hyenas dragged the carcass off of our property and into the bush.”
“The advice I would give to someone experiencing this would be to take in the moment as much as you can. This is a rare happening and it was super fascinating to experience a kill. Especially in our front yard!”