Watch The Sighting Here:
A tourist recorded this dramatic incident on the H4-1 near Skukuza Camp in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Intent
As we join the action, we see a lioness fully focused on an as-yet-unseen target. Her ears face forward, and she holds her body close to the ground as she stalks forward.
As the camera zooms out, we see a herd of skittish impala in the dry riverbed. Simultaneously, we hear the excited chatter of the tourists watching events unfold.
Dynamic Ambush
Keeping a close eye on the herd, the lioness adapts her strategy to isolate a target. She moves left to intercept her prey as the herd moved to the right.
Along the river embankment, reeds and bushes provide some cover. The lioness uses this to her advantage as she closes in on her target.
Then, it seems her target changed direction, causing the lioness to quickly reposition herself.
Brace For Impact
Skidding to a halt, she gathers herself to pounce as the impala bursts through the reeds on the bank.
Then, as the impala leaps forward, it propels itself airborne into the waiting claws of the lioness. The antelope likely had no idea of the impending danger.
Mid-air Takedown
The lioness displays the phenomenal reflexes for which cats are renowned and grabs it by the throat in mid-flight. At the same time, she wraps her giant paws around its throat and throws it to the ground.
As the pair clatter to the ground, she completely subdues her prey. Its frantic struggle to escape proves futile, as she clamps its throat tightly in her jaws, cutting off its oxygen.
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Pride Arrives
At this point, we realise that this hasn’t been a solo effort. Soon, other members of her pride arrive to share her bounty.
The first to arrive makes straight for the impala’s soft-skinned belly. On seeing this, the lioness releases her throat grip, leading to a renewed escape attempt.
However, still pinned by the lion’s paws, its efforts are futile. Meanwhile, two more lions arrive, bringing the total to four.
At this stage, they make no effort to subdue the impala through asphyxiation. Instead, all four lions start to tear at the impala’s groin. While brutal, this will likely kill it sooner.
Meanwhile, we hear the tourists’ contrasting comments. While one whimpers in sympathy, the other revels in having witnessed a successful hunt.
Textbook Takedown
Whatever your viewpoint, it is hard to argue that this was anything but a textbook example of lion predation.
Surprisingly, lions in the Kruger Park are only successful in one of every 3-4 attempted hunts. When hunting alone or by daylight, this figure drops to about 18%.
They are most successful when hunting in groups under the cover of darkness, especially on moonless/overcast nights.
By and large, lionesses are more successful than males. Females tend to target medium-sized prey, such as wildebeest and zebras, while males most frequently target buffalo.
In both instances, they have a remarkable aptitude for teamwork, coordinated strategies, and tactical use of terrain. Equipped with fearsome fangs and claws along with razor-sharp reflexes, it is a wonder anything escapes them.