Some consider the elephant the true king of the wild in Africa, but surely the lion is the true warlord?

Original source Latest Sightings (2017) by Tracy 

Few can argue against the lion’s roar being the voice of the wilderness! Have you ever soaked up the surrounding silence of sun-drenched African plains? But, in combination with this mighty roar? Then you will understand! Because it is resonating. Our “Warlord”! In fact, in East Africa it is said that the roar of the lion proclaims, “ Hi ni intshi, ya nani? Yangu! Yangu! Yangu! (Whose country is this? Mine! Mine! Mine!)

But, as outlined in this very clip, that doesn’t mean “our Warlord” doesn’t have its fair share of adversary! Take the hyena, and their dynamic social nature; it makes them a formidable enemy.

In this powerful clip, a disturbed and noisy commotion commands the dark!  As two of the wild’s toughest rivals come face to face. Manic staccato whoops emanate from hyenas as they try and ambush a pride of feasting lions!

• The scene
• About the true warlord
• About the warlord’s fiercest rival 
• The Kruger – a prototype for wildlife reserves
• Discover a must do Kruger route

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The Scene

Anton Schroeder, videographer of the clip says, “On this particular night, my family and I were casually following this pride in the Kruger National Park, when suddenly, they gave chase…”  Unfortunately, due to the speed of the chase and dark, Anton missed this particular sequence. But it was soon discovered that the lions had hunted an impala!

Anton explains, “Neighbouring these lions feasting was a den of spotted hyena. And, naturally they did what hyenas do best, they came to investigate!”  And as the clip exhibits, they not only came to investigate, but were brash enough to want to collect. 

What is interesting is the way the hyenas work as a team to skilfully take on a powerful pride of lions.  At one point, when the hyenas managed to separate the sub-adult lion from the group, Anton was convinced the lions would flee the scene… and says, “The hyenas appeared tactical by their behaviour.”

But the lions are not such an easy target, and held their ground. Barry Kerr, conservationist and predator behaviourist, says “Unfortunately for the hyenas they were unable to overpower the lions with numbers. Perhaps if there had been one or two lions less, they most likely would have been successful”.  Although Kerr is pretty sure that that was not the end of their fight!

 Generally speaking he says, “The hyenas most likely would have called in for more back-up and perhaps then driven the lions off, or at least landed a piece of the carcass.” 

However in this clip it returns to a feeding frenzy for our “Warlord”!

The true warlord

Lions have to kill to live! And it is either a life of feast or famine! They prefer large prey – zebra, various kinds of antelope, buffalo and warthog. They only hunt as often as every 3 – 4 days. And, therefore they also eat fish, guinea fowl, turtles etc. 

Most lions live in resident prides with no fixed numbers, but duly noted their size is significantly impacted by availability of prey species, range size and genetic integrity. Therefore a pride can range from anything as small as 5 lions to as large as 40 lions, should conditions strike ideal.

All members of the pride eat together, with much growling and snarling heard as each lion tries to get their share. 

Feeding lions will generally only allow competitors to approach within a certain distance – the boundary of its feeding territory. It is not uncommon that they will rush intruders breaking this barrier.

Socially adept cats, their structure is matriarchal with bosom bonds formed between females, however these relationships are not always fixed. But for certain each cub will begin to develop his/her own fitting role that is explicit to contributing to the success of their solitary existence or resident pride!

The Warlord’s biggest rival 

It’s true this biggest rival is famous for its weird howl which resembles an hysterical human laugh! 

On a social structure, their clusters constitute the biggest carnivore group in the world (Only outdone by the banded mongoose which have bigger clusters as an extreme). Therefore, these hyena clans associated with large numbers, certainly do have the confidence they need to challenge lions. And also, because, they are renowned to form hunting alliances.

However when they are heavily outnumbered by a pride, one will observe the hyena hanging back. And when they have superior numbers, often they will succeed in driving the lions away.

The skull of a spotted hyena is strong, and powerful muscles works it jaws. These powerful jaws are far stronger than that of the lion, and sharp teeth can crunch through even the largest bones.

Having carried a bad reputation as cowardly scavengers, they are in fact fierce predators, as well as eaters of carrion. Hyenas are bulky and not the stealthiest of those lurking the bush. They often chase prey away before they even begin their hunt, and that is why they turn to scavenging.

 Their social structure is similar to that of an elephants in that they have a matriarchal clan. Within the clan all female hyenas generally dominate and outrank that of male hyena and there is a clear hierarchy in each sex. Because females dominate food resources, they are mostly bigger than the male. 

The Kruger – a prototype for wildlife reserves

1898 was an auspicious day for conversation. It was on this day that President Paul Kruger signed a proclamation establishing a sanctuary for wildlife between the Sabie and Crocodile Rivers. Sabie Game Reserve (the original name of the Kruger National Park), was the first large wildlife reserve in Africa. In a continent where man and animal had been fighting a war of extermination since prehistoric times. This was now man’s first offer of the hand of friendship!

The Kruger National Park will therefore always be regarded as the prototype of wildlife sanctuaries in Africa. Comparisons with other reserves are inevitable , and some will be acclaimed as bigger, better, wilder, and more varied in their animal populations. But the Kruger Park sets a formidable standard. Other national parks may indeed have assets that the Kruger lacks, but its scenery, flora and fauna, as well as its singularly romantic history, will always ensure it has a unique place among reserves! 

Principally, a country’s terrain is diverse, and the Kruger National Park in South Africa is no exception. Often compared to the size of a small country such as Wales, it prides approximately seven geological substructures from rolling hills and sandy earth, sickle bush and thorn trees to open escarpments, all making-up its natural balance.

For soul moving adventures check out Kruger Wilderness Trials 

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