While out on a relaxed bumble with some of the team, we found ourselves in the middle of a thrilling sighting involving the Kambula Pride. In the wide open grasslands, with their bellies looking rather empty, the lions were intently watching a group of kudu in the distance. Just as it seemed like a hunt was on the horizon, an unexpected visitor—a male ostrich—strolled right through the scene, temporarily distracting the lions as he wandered between them and the kudu. Luckily for the ostrich, he was too far away to become a target.
After a few minutes, the kudus bolted, spooked by something unseen. But rather than chasing after them, the eldest lioness remained fixed on the exact spot from where the kudus had fled. Moments later, the entire pride sprang into action, charging across the grasslands towards the same point.
When we caught up, we found an intense scene unfolding. The Kambula Pride had stolen an impala carcass from another predator, and the air was thick with tension as the lions fought amongst themselves, each trying to claim their portion of the prize.
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Next to lion cubs, my favourite African animal are hyenas. So this next comment may seem strange. Once the pride really got into eating the impala, the older cubs on the far side with the bloody faces looked as ugly as hyenas when they were snarling at each other. The way their backs were hunched were very hyena-like. Awesome viewing on a Sunday morning in Canada.
Thank you, Cynthia. The younger lions did somewhat resemble hyenas in that moment.
Well really – no table manners at all! Seriously, do you think the Kambula pride might split ? I bet most of the younger ones didn’t get a look in and went hungry. I wonder what they made of that ostrich, as if they’re not usually in that area it’s probably the 1st time they’ve seen one?
It is difficult to say whether they will split. As it stands now there are five adults and 13 youngsters, of which eight are male and five are female. In time we know that the males will leave the pride. The females could stay or also equally could leave. We will just have to wait and see.
Truly amazing and exciting video to watch! I missed that action but saw the entire pride stretched out, sleeping on the Sand River. Probably still tired from their kill and meal! Impressive to see 18 lions in one place!!
It is impressive to see 18 lions in one place. And to see them feeding like in the video was exhilarating.
Wow! Spectacular viewing! Great job!
Thank you so much, Paul.
Hi Sean, what spectacle so many lions all together, it must be very exciting to look at them that close! I’m glad that the ostrich and the kudu escaped, but the animal that was stolen… I don’t know why I have a feeling it was a leopard…
It was super exciting to watch them all that close and feel like we were almost part of the action. It could have been a leopard or also a cheetah, but I guess we will sadly never know.
Epic video Sean, lions feeding is always fascinating to watch. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much, William. It was incredible to watch.
What an explosive situation- very special.
It really was.
Hi Sean, my word but they can fight for a piece of the kill, that they stole. I was worried that the younger cubs would not get anything to eat, but after a while I saw they did grab a piece of meat and ran off with it. I wonder who killed the impala, maybe one of the leopards.
Thankfully in the end the younger ones got a mouthful or two. It could have been one of the leopards or maybe a cheetah.
A really epic sighting and a graphic one as well. It always amazes me how aggressive towards each other lions become as soon as there is a kill to be eaten by them. This growling and snarling and bullying is in a way amusing though it’s very serious, of course. I often wonder that they don’t injure each other mare seriously. Of course, a single Impala kill does not really satisfy the hunger of that many lions.
Nice to see how the older females, the mothers wait patiently till the youngsters had their share, or rather little bites, and lick them clean afterwards.
Great video!
They are so aggressive towards each other, and sometimes they do come out of it with fairly serious injuries. No, a little impala amongst this many lions is not going to go very far.