Check Out This Footage Of A Lion Hunt Gone Wrong
Lions depend on well-choreographed team work in order to take down large prey like giraffe or buffalo. Lion prides are incredibly successful as cooperative hunters with each member playing an important role in order for the group to secure a hearty meal. However, things don’t always go according to plan which you can see from this ‘fail footage’ that was filmed by Peter Craig-Cooper in South Africa’s Kruger National Park on the banks of the Crocodile River.
Two different approaches
Mr Craig-Cooper observed the lion pride prowling on the riverbank apparently stalking a herd of nearby grazing impala. As one member of the herd started to wander closer to the river and as would be expected started to prepare for an attack. A single lioness strategically positioned herself at the base of riverbank whilst a male member of the pride took a less subtle approach and charged head-on at the herd.
Complete pandemonium
Rather unsurprisingly complete pandemonium broke out, with the female chasing the impala from the bottom of the river bank and the male giving chase from the opposite direction. The two lions ended up colliding allowing the impala to make good on its escape. Lionesses are far sleeker and faster than their male counterparts and this makes them more successful as hunters. In fact, research suggests that lionesses bear the bulk of hunting responsibilities.
Leave the hunting to the females!
In contrast males tend to stick to protecting the pride and occasionally lending a hand when the pride is trying to take down larger prey such as adult buffalo who seldom give up without putting up a violent struggle that requires a hefty lion to help deliver the kill. When males do join the hunt, they adopt a quite different set of tactics. Males prefer to stalk their prey from thicker bush which enables them to get close to the target before launching their attack. In this particular case the less subtle approach probably cost the pride a meal and one wouldn’t be excused for thinking that hunting is best left to the females.