It starts with a “Wow!”
Ranger Luke Hartley shared his video with Latest Sightings on September 30, 2024. It begins as Luke and his guests are thrilled to have a pride of five lionesses walk right past their safari vehicle.
In the video, we can see that the lions are walking into the breeze. This means they will detect the scent of any potential prey ahead of them.
For many of us, just being this close to lions would be a treat. Little did they know the drama that was about to unfold.
Watch the sighting:
Healthy hunters
Close inspection of this image reveals there are five lionesses in this group. They all look in great condition, although it doesn’t look as if they’ve eaten recently.
Why the wind matters
As mentioned earlier, the lions are walking into the breeze. In the description, we read that they suddenly lay down moments before a small herd of wildebeest appeared ahead.
We can assume they could smell the wildebeests approaching well before seeing them. Note how they flatten their profiles and blend into the sand.
Going into stalk mode
We also learn that the fifth lioness moved into the thick bushes on the right a few moments earlier, but isn’t shown in the video.
The wildebeest continued towards the lions, oblivious of their presence. At one point, they seem playful, little realising the danger that awaits.
Out of nowhere
What the lead wildebeest saw, heard or felt is not immediately clear. In a flash, it tears off to the left of frame, obviously running for its life.
Milliseconds later, a tawny blur streaks across the track. The fifth lioness has sprung the trap. The remaining wildebeest turn tail and bolt for safety.
We now realise where the lioness moved off to earlier. She had stalked into the bushes, attempting to scare the wildebeests towards her pride-mates.
Time for Plan B
However, she may have acted too early and now has no choice but to chase her prey towards the thicker bush to the left.
Unfortunately for the wildebeest, the dense bush forces it back towards the road, with the lioness now in close pursuit.
Takedown
As it gets within striking distance, the sprinting lioness launches itself at the fleeing wildebeest. Her experience as a hunter is evident and she sinks her claws into its rump, bringing it to a standstill.
Running obstruction
Now, one of the other lionesses enters the frame from the far left. Apparently, it had moved there anticipating the wildebeest’s escape route. She runs to assist her compatriot in subduing the struggling prey.
A one-sided battle
The wildebeest is no match for the strength of the lions. It collapses in a cloud of dust and barely makes a sound.
The pride descends
The other lionesses arrive while the lead female subdues her prey. In many instances, while one lion suffocates the prey, others will start feeding immediately.
The end of a textbook hunt
From the time the chase started until the unfortunate wildebeest was no more, only twenty seconds have elapsed.
Although fast, lions do not have great stamina for long chases. As such, aside from the wildebeest initially setting off in the “wrong” direction, every part of this hunt has been executed perfectly.
Power of the pride
Sociable creatures, lions seem to know intuitively what their kin are thinking. Their bonds, teamwork and strategic ability are legendary.
Furthermore, while they are individually strong, collectively they can bring down the much larger prey needed to sustain prides of up to 50 individuals.
Royalty at risk
In just two decades, the population of lions has decreased by over 40%. Pressure from humans in the form of habitat destruction, hunting/poaching and captive breeding for traditional medicines is pushing them ever closer to extinction.
Quite simply, it would be a tragedy to lose these incredible apex predators due to short-sighted and avoidable practices.