A wildebeest’s horns are its primary defense. Both male and female wildebeest have horns, and these are used mainly for fighting for territory or mates.
They are also used as powerful weapons to fight back predators, as in this incredible sighting, where a wildebeest showed spectators just how it was done!
Watch The Sighting:
While both male and female wildebeests have horns, the males’ horns are larger. These can be up to 33 inches or 84cm long!
Lionesses Stalk Wildebeest
Hannes explains how they came across the attempted kill. “We were unbelievably fortunate enough to have seen a wildebeest kill at Ngotso dam that same afternoon,” he said.
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“We decided to head back there that afternoon to see what was left of the carcass when we came across these two lionesses stalking a wildebeest.”
Lionesses usually hunt together, and this pair was determined.
With their sights set on the lone wildebeest, all hell soon broke loose as they gave chase. They were soon on top of the wildebeest.
However, the wildebeest wasn’t about to be easy prey. It fought back with all its might, bucking and circling to escape the lioness’s deadly grasp.
Wildebeest Fights Back
At first, it appeared the wildebeest’s fighting tactics were insufficient. The lionesses climbed onto its back and clung to its hindquarters, doing everything to pull the animal to the ground.
However, the wildebeest had its horns to fight back in hopes of swinging them against the lions.
“The wildebeest fought back and managed to hook one of its horns into the leg of one of the lionesses,” explained Hannes.
Wildebeest Lifts Lioness Up By Its Horns
Hooked to the wildebeest’s horns by its leg, one of the lionesses was swung around, shaken, and winded.
Hannes said, “This must have been extremely painful for the lion, as it was for quite a few moments that she was hooked onto the wildebeest.”
At one point, the lioness was turned completely upside-down, still hooked to her prey. The wildebeest seemed to have found the strength to stand, lifting the lioness.
It was an unusual wrestling match, and one had to applaud the wildebeest for refusing to be the victim, despite the threat.
The animal chose to be the victor. Male wildebeest will use their horns to impress females in showdowns against other males.
Victorious Wildebeest Shakes Off Ambush
Eventually, the wildebeest managed to shake off the lionesses completely and got away! Thanks to its horns, it lived to see another day.
“I am happy the wildebeest got away as lions cannot always win,” said Hannes. “To tell the truth, I had mixed emotions about the whole ordeal. This sighting is very scarce as lions usually kill wildebeest when they catch up to them.”