Lion Predation

[Lionsandme10]

Notes about the lion from, Predator-prey relationships among the larger mammals of the Kruger National Park

The author is U. de V. Pienaar

• As a rule lions and adult white rhinos show little interest in each other, but during October 1965 lions attacked a full-grown adult white rhino bull, recently introduced into Pretoriuskop section from Natal, and mauled it so severely that it had to be destroyed. Subsequently, lions also killed and devoured a very young white rhino calf near Gomondwane, in Crocodile Bridge section. These are the only instances, to date, of lions accosting white rhinoceri in the Kruger Park, but instances have been cited by observers such as Wahlberg and Taberer of lions attacking and killing full-grown black rhinos in East Africa. 
  

• It is well-known that lions frequently prey on young and even adult hippopotami in areas where these beasts are particularly numerous. Thus, according to Bourliére (1955), young hippos, out grazing at night in the Parc National Albert, are among the lions' favourite victims in that area. Such instances are rare in the Kruger Park, and over the years only 6 cases have been recorded of lions successfully attacking hippos on dry land. Four of these were weak and emaciated animals which were caught along the Olifants River during a period of very severe drought.
  

• Lower vertebrates are also occasional victims of lions, and of these tortoises and crocodiles are the most important. The latter sometimes dispute lion kills which have been made near water, and two cases have been recorded during recent years where crocodiles were killed in such battles and eaten by the lions. 
  

• Many years ago, a lion in the Kruger Park bit in half a large python which attacked it, and ate a portion of the giant snake.
  

• The lion is the dominant species in the predator hierarchy of the Kruger Park and often preys on lesser predators or will appropriate the carcases of prey killed by them. In old age or crippled condition they fall prey themselves to hyaenas and even wild dogs. Many cases have been recorded over the years of lions relieving leopards of their prey after these wily hunters have made a kill. Lions will even climb up the perpendicular trunks of trees to a surprising height in order to get at the carcases of animals which leopards have wedged in a forked branch. 
  

      https://koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/753/836

There are two parts to this study so I will post from the second part

• In contrast to popular belief, observations in the Kruger Park prove that solitary adult male lions or groups of adult males frequently hunt their own prey, and are not dependant on the superior skill and agility of the lionesses in the pride. Full-grown bull giraffes and adult buffalo bulls are successfully pulled down on occasion by a single male lion.
  

•  Although lions normally kill only sufficient prey to sustain themselves, and sizable remnants are left to the scavengers and vultures in the case of large prey animals, these predators (particularly young individuals in the pridel sometimes go beserk and kill several head of prey out of a herd. This is more often the case when the prey animals are in a weak and emaciated condition and offer little resistance. During the severe drought of 1964 a pride of lions wreaked havoc one night amongst a starving herd of buffalo in the Punda Milia area, and killed 5 adults and 10 young buffalo in the same spot. Some of these carcases were left quite untouched by the lions. On the other hand, lions will rarely abandon a carcase if they succeed in making a substantial kill during lean times (for the predators). Towards the end of the exceptional rainy season of 1966-67 carnivorous species were hard pressed and many young lions died from starvation. When a pride of 11 lions killed a big bull giraffe on the Doispane Road near Skukuza during this time, they fed on the carcase and defended it against scavengers for 8 days. 
  

     https://koedoe.co.za/index.php/koedoe/article/view/753/837

Photo of a lioness and a bull buffalo from the same study

*This image is copyright of its original author

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