The word “roadkill” took on a whole new meaning during a recent visit to Kruger National Park.
In the early hours of July 10, Carolyn Dunford was driving through the Orpen gate when she saw cars starting to slow down. That’s when she noticed two huge male lions walking along the road, marking their territory.
Out of nowhere, a large kudu bull appeared from the bushes. The first cat didn’t seem too interested in the potential prey, but the second lion assumed the hunting stance and prepared to pounce.
The lion casually crosses the roadway, seemingly unconcerned by the automobiles that were ᴄʟᴏsᴇly following and the roadblock that had been erected on the other side. Once the lion spotted a lone kudu on the road, it decided to begin a chase. The lion was able to seize the kudu by the back legs as it desperately tried to kick the lion away.
This battle occurred in the center of the street, right in front of all the tourists. As he attempted to hold onto the kudu, the lion took some severe kicks. But as the kudu attempted to cross the road to the other side, the lion seized the chance and ᴋɪʟʟed it.
Male lions in a pride usually let the females ʜᴜɴᴛ, deferring to them instead. Females are less noticeable in the forest due to their small height and absence of manes. As the lionesses ʜᴜɴᴛ in packs, the male easily grabs his portion of the feast. Larger animals like giraffes and occasionally even elephants are ᴋɪʟʟed by the ʜᴜɴᴛing groups.
To kick the other males out of the pride, the male lion would have to ғɪɢʜᴛ. This lion in the video was most likely one of the lions that were evacuated. A lone lion usually ʜᴜɴᴛs warthogs and impalas, which are smaller prey. But a ʜᴜɴᴛer rarely has the opportunity to ᴋɪʟʟ a huge male kudu for lunch, as this extraordinary one did.
