Lion hunts impala at Ruckomechi

Sighting: Lioness hunting Impala
Location: Ruckomechi Camp, Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Date: 21 June 2010
Observer: Kevin van Breda and guests
Photographer: Kevin van Breda

While out on a game drive we came across a lion pride at the Little Ruckomechi River mouth, consisting of one adult female (around nine years old) and two sub-adult lions (male and female, both about four years old). The lions were relaxed and totally unaware of some impala in the distance. Two male impala however started heading towards the lions and the young female lion eventually noticed these antelope heading her way and began stalking them.

One impala ran off in time but the second seemed none the wiser and stood its ground, not noticing that the other adult lioness had now also joined the fray and circled around, flanking the impala. The young female continued her head-on approach. Now noticing too late and hemmed in by water on two sides, the impala had no option but to ‘run the gauntlet’. Cornered by three lions the impala chose the exit route right between the adult female and the young female. The young male stayed on the outside.

With a turn of speed, the impala overtook the young female, and then immediately changed direction and speed to compensate for the adult female coming in at pace. The impala then accelerated again and amazingly outran the adult female as well. Dashing around a small pan, the impala simply continued until it was well out of reach. The lioness just stood there, out of breath, and probably wondering where it all went wrong…

Lions can usually only attain a maximum speed of around 50 kph which they cannot maintain for very long and thus rely more on ambush in catching fast animals like impala. These lions were outclassed on the day by the speed and agility of this impala and were clearly left eating dust…