Lately, the Ntsevu Sub Adults, or, more aptly, the Ntsevu Males, have gained recognition and a lot of attention from us for their impressive buffalo hunting prowess. Following their relatively premature independence, brought about by the arrival of the Ndzhenga Males in 2021, these young males, accompanied by their younger sister, swiftly embraced a nomadic way of life. They sought refuge in the expansive grasslands, which were devoid of dominant males capable of posing a genuine threat to their existence. Their transformation into formidable lions has prompted us to adopt this new designation whereby they are no longer, sub-adults.
The grasslands are home to numerous dazzles of zebras, impala and wildebeest herds, rhinos and elephants as well as a renowned herd of buffalo numbering over a thousand strong. In this expansive and mostly open terrain, hunting opportunities predominantly involve larger and more formidable prey. Undeterred by the challenges, the young lions, known for their bravery, adventurous spirit, and strong will, seized every chance that came their way, regardless of the target’s size. Initially, their endeavours met with limited success.
However, over time, they developed a highly effective strategy of trailing the buffalo and selectively targeting the slower, weaker, or younger members who proved to be easier prey. This approach provided them with sustenance and the opportunity to grow and refine their hunting skills. Today, they are larger, more confident, and armed with a considerable level of hunting experience, enabling them to frequently take down larger buffalo while fending off the retaliatory efforts of the rest of the herd, determined to protect their fallen comrade.
Now, how does all of this connect to the events of today’s blog? Not too long ago, on a morning that piqued the rangers’ curiosity, tracks of these emerging lions were spotted heading northward, crossing the Sand River at Finfoot Crossing. It had been a while since these lions had been seen in this region, ever since they were driven southward by the Black Dam Males.
During the early hours of the morning, the north echoed with the calls of lions, creating a suspenseful backdrop to the tracking mission with uncertainty as to which lions had been calling earlier. Before long, the Ntsevu Males were found on Ximpalapala Crest, resuming their roaring. While this was an exhilarating sight, it also injected an element of tension into the air, given that they were making their presence known in an area where they might encounter two other lion coalitions.
One of these coalitions is the Plains Camp Males, a formidable threat that could easily disrupt the status quo and send the nomadic lions scrambling for the hills. The other was the smaller Black Dam Males, who might not be a match for the four young yet potent Ntsevu Males.
With it being early on a cool morning, the anticipation of witnessing some lion activity ran high. Dan and his guests along with the other rangers decided to sit it out with the lions. At this point, the lions were resting in two separate groups, roughly 70 metres apart. Dan’s vehicle was positioned near the closer group of one male and the female, while the other three males were in the distance near a termite mound.
Moments spent with a lion are always captivating, irrespective of the level of activity. Watching these majestic, handsome lions go about their relaxed morning routine was a real treat and Dan’s guests couldn’t have been happier. Little did anyone know, that what was about to unfold was beyond anyone’s expectations or even the most creative imagination.
A solitary hyena, roaming the open clearings in search of a resting place after a night prowling around for a meal, unknowingly found itself on a path that could potentially put an abrupt end to its life. This path would take it straight into the proximity of the dozing male lions. Whether what followed was a blessing or a curse, remains uncertain. The hyena happened to glance up, possibly catching sight or scent of the lions ahead, triggering an abrupt change in its direction. It veered widely to avoid the three males. Unbeknown to the poor lone hyena was its new trajectory would lead it directly into a perfectly coincidental ambush.
The lions closer to Dan’s vehicle had by now strategically positioned themselves for an attack that would likely have spelt doom for the hyena at the hands of its arch-nemesis. The lions broke from cover and the hyena’s attempt to escape proved futile, unable to match the speed and precision of the meticulous ambush. In a matter of moments, one of the young males had the hyena firmly within his powerful jaws. The remaining lions swiftly joined the fray, converging to bring the confrontation to an end.
With the hyena’s chances of survival dwindling rapidly, three of the five lions distanced themselves slightly from the scene expecting for it all to be over. Meanwhile, the anguished distress calls from the embattled hyena had reached the ears of the rest of its clan. Their rallying whoops carried across the crest as they moved in to fend off the lions and rescue their pal.
Why would the lions do this?
Now, let me take a moment to shed light on why such a dramatic interaction would unfold. In the world of predators, in fact for all animals we see out here, the primary focus is self-preservation, a critical aspect of ensuring the passing on of their genetic legacy. If an animal can successfully reproduce and pass down its genes to future generations, it has fulfilled its vital role in the grand scheme of nature. To delve a bit deeper, every action an animal takes, whether directly or indirectly, is intricately connected to this fundamental goal. They eat and rest to gather energy, which enables them to stake out territories, eliminate competitors, and secure their position as the ones most likely to transmit their genetic code.
Within the intricate hierarchy of predators, lions reign as the apex predators in the African Bushveld. Their only formidable rivals are large groups of hyenas. It’s worth noting that hyenas typically need to assemble in groups of more than ten individuals before even contemplating challenging a single male lion when it comes to a meal. The threshold is lower for confronting a female lion, so occasionally, hyenas may congregate around a carcass and attempt to drive lions away and claim the spoils. The rivalry between these two species goes to such lengths that if an opportunity arises to eliminate each other, they seize it without hesitation. Therefore, a hyena wouldn’t think twice about killing a young lion, leopard, wild dog, or even a cheetah. In response, lions actively seek out hyenas to eliminate or reduce competition. Hyena populations in an area are inversely correlated with the prevalence of dominant male lions – in other words, male lions are known to kill hyenas.
So with this in mind watch this incredible video by Londolozi Guest Trevis Brendmoe and Ranger Dan Hirschowitz of the whole sighting. A word of warning, it is not for sensitive viewers, but the hyena does survive and manages to get away.
And here are a few more photos of these magnificent lions…
Wow! What an exciting and somewhat scary video and stills! It’s amazing that the hyena survived though it looked injured in the hind legs. The Ntsevu males are formidable, for sure! Does their sister participate in these hunts/kills?
She absolutely does! We were alongside Kate in Nick’s vehicle as the hunt and takedown happened.
Yes, she does participate and is often the one getting stuck in there. The males add brute strength but she matches that with her drive and determination.
Wow, What an absolutely amazing, extraordinary sighting!
Did this hyena really survive or did it die later because of its wounds?
Amazing, how the other members of its family came to its rescue and drove the lions away.
These young Ntsevu adults are really formidable lions. I am looking forward to hearing more about them in the future.
They also risk a lot by coming back into Londolozi’s proper territory where there are so many other coalitions.
Yes, I believe it did survive. I have seen hyenas recover and survive after much worse injuries. I think by watching the video again, it looks like the one hyena trailing the lion afterwards is in fact the one that was in the lions jaws.
That was astonishing – I can’t believe that hyena survived! Those young Ntsevu males are really coming of age, though I’m curious about their sister and how long she will stay with them. Have you come across mixed groups like these before? Presumably their mothers are still with the Ntsevu pride, and mothers of those young 9 cubs in your recent Sunday video.
It is hard to believe that a hyena would walk away from an encounter like that. I have heard of mixed groups like this before, but what we will probably find is that in the next few months she could break away from them. This will be driven by the fact that they are all now sexually mature and could start mating with each other. She may then move on in search of other males to mate with. That is when it is going to get interesting because it is uncertain as to whether the other dominant males will accept her. And then will her brothers accept her upon her return, if she does return?
The hyena looks pretty beat up…what are the odds of it’s survival? Are you surprised they didn’t finish it off? Would they have eaten it? Amazing sighting!
I think the hyena will make a full recovery. I am surprised that it got away, but then again I don’t think the lions were serious about killing it. It might have been more of a game for them. Going through the video, I think it looks like the one hyena following the lions towards the end was in fact the one that had been caught. It would be very unlikely for the lions to eat the hyena. Often they would only kill it to reduce competition, not to eat.
Amazing. I do wonder if the hyena, who could barely walk had spine or Jim damage or it was just a loss of blood and exhaustion. They didnt just save their cos nsmate but made sure the wounded hyena wasn’t followed and caught later. Just amazing!
I think the hyena was stumbling around because of a lack of oxygen, as the male lion was trying to suffocate it. So once it had let ago it took a while for the hyena to gather itself but then you can see it managing to run away. If there was any serious damage to its spine I would presume that it wouldn’t be able to run away like that. And then later on it looks like the hyena was one of them following the lion.
🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Sean what great images of the Ntsevu males and sister. They are really a force to be reconed with, and growing to be 4 handsome males. Well in the wild everyone for themselves when it comes to feeding. Only the strongest survive. Who knows maybe the sister can one day team up with the Tsalala female and begin their own pride.
Thank you so much, Valmai. They are growing into very impressive males and who knows what the future holds for them all.
That was intense. I’m glad the hyena escaped. I hope it makes a full recovery, what a traumatic ordeal! It’s hard to believe they didn’t kill it instantly given how small it is. These lions are certainly impressive and I look forward to seeing where they ultimately end up.
I couldn’t believe that they didn’t kill it either. I think if they wanted to they would have killed it straight away. Maybe this was more of a game for them.
Hi, I think that if the lion did want to kill it he would have done it. It seems more a demonstration of power. It’s incredible that hyenas followed so boldly. They eat anything, living or not and even not natural food. I saw them eating old or adult lionesses and lions alive, after all they don’t make a difference between alive or dead. This way of eating that has surely went on through their evolution favoured no chance for empathy, in contrast to lions and leopards and other big cats that show this ability in single individuals in different cases…
I agree, I think that if they really wanted to kill the hyena they would have easily.
Amazing! This was a formidable takedown, even if the hyena did get away, albeit injured, only because its pack came to its rescue. Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t these the offspring of the Birmingham males? They were formidable in their own right and the more developed Ntsevu male looks like a Birmingham. I saw the female but it looked like she hung back a bit while her brothers took control. Great footage showing this drama-what a morning!!
If the rest of the hyenas didn’t come and get involved then it would mean certain death for that hyena. Yes, these are all Birmingham offspring. The female was certainly keeping her distance once the initial take down happened.
This was an amazing scene with the camera positioned perfectly to witness the action unfold. I cannot think of any other animal that could have survived that attack. Those young males are huge and powerful. They exerted a lot of energy hunting down that hyena. I still can’t imagine how that hyena lived after such a brutal attack. The vicious rivalry between lions and hyenas is perhaps the greatest rivalry in the animal kingdom. It is always jaw dropping when these epic battles are captured on film. It is amazing how much a single grown male can tilt the balance of power regardless of the hyena numbers. These young bruisers have probably had many violent battles with hyenas growing up which has fueled their hatred. I’m sure many of these battles are veiled in the secrecy of darkness though there are many of these epic battles on YT and now this one to add to them. Great footage.
It is very unlikely that any other animal would survive that ordeal. And that is only as a result of the rest of the clan getting involved. I love the rivalry between lions and hyenas.
Great photos by Kate and Nick. We had the fantastic opportunity to be with them throughout the deliberate hunt and eventual kill. The buffalo was amazingly passive.
They are such impressive males and being able to watch them in action is awesome.
Sean, incredible pictures and video. Lions and Hyenas, what a volatile combination coming together.
It really was such an incredible sighting. The battle between lions and hyenas as arch enemies is fascinating to watch.