Zebra killed and feasted on by lions in Hwange National Park

THE DEMISE OF A ZEBRA; THE HARSH REALITY OF WILD AFRICA IN HWANGE NATIONAL PARK, ZIMBABWE

During my youth when I was a game warden in Hwange, Africa's largest game park in Zimbabwe, I came across a vivid illustration of how life is lived and lost among wild animals in Africa.

My companions and I, with four pack donkeys to carry our supplies, were trekking through the  bush looking to apprehend poachers.  Our way was through tall grass, Yellow-wood trees and dense patches of scrubby plant life.

As we pushed our way forward a low threatening growl to our right alerted us to imminent danger.  The aggresors, if you could call them that, were five corpulent lions lazing beneath a lone tree.  They appeared fully sated, stomachs bulging and in a state of inertia

Thankfully, their inactivity save for the growl appeared to be a harsh signal of peace rather than a death threat, so we continued on another 200 yards with rifles on the ready should they decide to press their advantage and attack.

Emerging into an open space, we quickly noticed that a ferocious fracas had taken place shortly before.  The lions had tackled, killed and eaten almost a whole zebra.  Bursting through the bush we startled 20 or so vultures that rose in a flurry of feathers and squawks from a carcass picked clean leaving only the zebra's head intact.  It was obvious that the vultures had beaten the hyeanas to the kill, but the hyeanas, ever ravenous, would pick up the scent soon enough.

Blog courtesy of James Gordon

Posted by Anne Gordon on Thursday, 18th November, 2010