Watch The Sighting:
Nelson Cruz was on a safari in Kruger National Park when his group came across a hyena that appeared to be agitated. Based on its behaviour and movement, the group quickly deduced that this hyena was on a hunt!
Intrigued by the opportunity to witness the hyena in action, Nelson’s group decided to pursue it and see what would happen.
The Wounded Predator
After scanning the surroundings, the group discovered a mother lioness and her cubs watching the hyena carefully. It was clear that the hyena wanted to take a chance and try its luck at snatching one of the cubs!
Eventually, the hyena got a little too close for the mother’s comfort, and she unleashed herself in a fury of claws and teeth! A battle between predators erupted, and amidst the chaos, the lioness managed to bite off the hyena’s foot!
The hyena put up a good fight, however, and managed to give a few retaliatory bites to the lioness before it fled towards a nearby dam. Nelson and his group were amazed that the hyena made it out of the battle alive, but knew that it wouldn’t last long in the wild with only three legs.
A Second Ambush
The hyena hobbled down towards the dam for a drink of water, then limped back towards the road. As it continued its path that seemed to be going away from the threat of danger, Nelson’s group realized this was not the case.
They spotted the lioness hiding in the tall grass, clearly plotting a second ambush, and the hyena was unaware of the danger it was walking into. As it continued to limp towards the lioness, tension filled the air, and everyone held their breath in anticipation of what would happen next.
A Mother’s Fury
Finally, the hyena was within striking distance, and the lioness charged! Unfortunately for the hyena, it was in no shape to outrun this vengeful mother in its weakened state.
She chased the hyena down the road, swatting at it as if playing with her prey instead of easily taking it down. It was clear that the lioness wanted the hyena to suffer.
Eventually, the lioness chased the three-legged hyena down to the riverbank where she delivered the killing blow. This hyena messed with the wrong mother.
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The Pride’s Feast
Nelson and his group watched as the rest of the pride arrived on the scene, either drawn by the action or the smell of a fresh kill. They quickly joined the lioness down by the river to finish off what was left of the hyena.
Nelson described how excited he was to witness such a dramatic sighting unfold right before him:
“It was just an amazing and spectacular sighting because of the natural turn of events. One could never have anticipated how things would have played out.”
Everyone at the sighting was reminded that day just how unpredictable and unforgiving nature can be. In the wild, every action has consequences. In one moment, you are the hunter, but in an instant, you can become the hunted.