The brutal but riveting footage was captured in the incredible Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, which is ecologically and geographically integrated with Greater Kruger National Park. It is located 500 kilometers east of Johannesburg, South Africa.
waterbuck in fight
The shot begins with an expanse of water, and we can hear some really loud roars! We saw two male waterbuck at shoulder height in the water. The two were so engrossed in their fight they had no idea what was approaching them. Waterbucks are fighting for female mating rights, but the stakes are about to get much higher than that.
About 15 lionesses were approaching and eventually they were spotted by waterbucks. Lionesses often hunt in packs because it gives them a better chance of hunting larger, more challenging prey. A lioness enters the water and sends the waterbuck to the opposite bank. The frightened animals didn’t realize that there were more lions waiting in the thick grass and reeds.
©Riaan van den Berg/Shutterstock.com
antelope vs lion
The waterbucks jumped back into the water, but the lions jumped on their backs. Despite their larger size and very sharp horns, waterbucks cannot escape the muscular and determined lions. The waterbuck fought bravely, dragging the lioness across the water. She bites them on their backs first with her teeth and claws, before going around the more vulnerable throat area. It was a gamble that didn’t quite pay off. This puts her in a position where she could be kicked by the waterbuck’s powerful hind legs, which is exactly what happened. Meanwhile, several other lionesses lined up on the bank to take notes!
Ultimately, she has no choice but to let go – however, that’s not the end of the story. The exhausted waterbuck gave it its final rest on land but was chased off by the rest of the pride. The end result is now inevitable and we end up seeing the pride enjoying their meal. Well done to the lioness leading this successful hunt!
Next:
Watch This Entire Lion Pride Come Together to Take Down a Buffalo
Watch the pride of the lions roll 22 deep and trigger an absolute scrimmage
Watch a Mountain Lion Relentlessly Track a Terrified Hunter
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
