In the African bushveld, prey species must be vigilant at all times. This distracted wildebeest wasn’t, and paid the ultimate price.
Darmesh Popatlal submitted this dramatic footage to Latest Sightings. He filmed the action about two kilometres from Satara Rest Camp, in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
Lion in the long grass
We join Darmesh on his game drive as he spots a large male lion stalking across the grassland. This is prime lion country, with the area said to support the highest density of lions in the park.
Naturally, the reason for the large lion population is an abundance of prey. The open grasslands are an ideal habitat for grazing species, such as zebra and blue wildebeest.
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Territorial bull
Subsequently, it comes as no surprise when Darmesh pans to the right, revealing a lone male wildebeest. Considering that there is a lion nearby, it is alarming to note that the wildebeest is preoccupied with scent marking.
As he kicks at the ground, he marks his territory using pedal glands in his hooves. Male wildebeest are territorial and will attempt to mate with any receptive females passing through their domain.
Vigilance is vital
As important as his territory is, the bull made a crucial mistake. Preoccupied as he was, he’d failed to keep a lookout for predators.
As a result, he doesn’t notice when the lion stalks to within striking distance. Lions are ambush hunters whose hunting strategy entails a careful stalk followed by a high-speed blitz attack.
Consequently, by the time the wildebeest realises the lion is there, it is already too late. As the lion pounces, he manages to sink his claws into the bull’s hindquarters.
Desperate to escape
Meanwhile, desperate to escape, the wildebeest tries to dislodge his attacker by spinning around. However, the predator holds on tight, using its massive strength to wrestle its prey to submission.
Subsequently, the lion manages to bite into the wildebeest’s back. Sometimes, lions cripple their prey with a bite to the spine. However, as it continues to fight, it’s apparent the lion missed its mark.
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Help arrives
Then, just as the wildebeest’s legs collapse, a second male lion arrives. Male lions often form coalitions, which improve their chances of successfully hunting and protecting a territory.
By now, things are going downhill fast for the bull. As the second lion joins in the attack, its chances of survival fade by the second.
Working in tandem to subdue their prey, one male pins down the body while the other goes for its throat. Most large prey are killed by asphyxiation.
Subsequently, as the video draws to an end, the bull’s kicking legs get progressively weaker. He has paid with his life for a simple lapse in vigilance.