While lions are only successful in about 30% of attempted hunts, the results are spectacular when they get it right. Here, a combination of stealth, speed, strength and lightning-quick reactions merge to outwit a fleeing impala.
A tourist recorded this dramatic incident on the H4-1 near Skukuza Camp in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. As we join the action, we see a lioness fully focused on an as-yet-unseen target. Her ears face forward, and she holds her body close to the ground as she stalks forward.
As the camera zooms out, we see a herd of skittish impala in the dry riverbed. Simultaneously, we hear the excited chatter of the tourists watching events unfold. Keeping a close eye on the herd, the lioness adapts her strategy to isolate a target. She moves left to intercept her prey as the herd moved to the right.
