After being caught by a pride of lions, a wildebeest calf made a desperate attempt to escape. Despite its best efforts, it was no match for the powerful predator.
Stuart Porter sent this video to Latest Sightings. Unfortunately, we have no record of where the heart-wrenching drama unfolded.
Food for the family
In the first of several video clips, we see a pride of lions. Two lionesses are lying on the ground, while their cubs play with one another.
However, close inspection reveals the feet of their partially hidden prey sticking out from the pile of lions.
Feline fall-out
At first, it looks like the lions are resting before they begin to feed. However, for some reason, the two lionesses start to quarrel with one another.
As the lions square off with one another, we are surprised to learn that their prey, a wildebeest calf, is still alive. Not only this, it can stand!
Confused calf
Surprisingly, the suddenly freed calf does not try to run off. It is probably to young to realise that it is in mortal danger.
As the two adult lions go at one another, both the calf and the cubs look on.
Belated escape attempt
Eventually, the calf realises that it is free to go and makes a run for it.
On seeing that their planned meal has plans of its own, the lionesses settle their differences. Before the calf has gone very far, one of the lionesses sets off in pursuit.
Caught but not killed
All too soon, it catches up and easily knocks the calf to the ground. Surely, it won’t be long before it is dead.
However, to our surprise, the lion doesn’t finish it off. Instead, it once again leaves it lying on the ground.
The only explanation we can offer is that the lion is not hungry, but is unable to resist pursuing its fleeing captive.
Courageous calf
What happens next is as inspiring as it is heartbreaking. Rising once more to its feet, the calf stands its ground, entering a stand-off with the much larger predator.
In what can only be a futile gesture, the calf actually rams its head into the lion. Unsurprisingly, the lioness barely feels it.
A sad sight follows as the calf attempts to keep the lion at bay. Taking its time, the lioness manouevres as she tries to grab the calf by the neck.
Foregone fate
Sadly for the calf, there was only ever going to be one outcome in this drama. In no time, the lion once again catches the young wildebeest, this time by the throat.
Finally, the calf’s luck runs out. Closing off its windpipe, it takes the lioness a few minutes to asphyxiate the plucky calf, bringing its short life to an end.
Hunting but not hungry
In human terms, this incident seems unfair. The lions don’t appear to be hungry. All are well fed and in good condition. So why kill?
A likely explanation is that predators are hard-wired for the chase. You’ve probably heard it suggested that if you encounter a predator, the worst thing you can do is run.
To a predator, a fleeing object equates to food. And, even if they are not necessarily hungry, the instinctive imperative to chase is stronger than their lack of appetite.
