Lion Predation

[Pckts]

(01-19-2015, 11:24 PM)'faess' Wrote: Bison's last stand against Yellowstone wolf

Tourists, scientists and a host of wildlife photographers got a rare front-row seat to a compelling wildlife drama this week at Yellowstone National Park.

On Sunday, a large male wolf from the Canyon Pack was seen stalking an injured or sick female bison. By Monday, the pair were locked in a deadly standoff in a meadow about 200 yards from one of the park's busy roads.

Dozens of people gathered to watch as the wolf patiently but repeatedly approached the bison, probing for weakness and looking for a response. The bison shook its head or snorted at the wolf, causing it to retreat to a nearby stand of trees.

After a time the bison would lower itself to the ground to rest, bringing out the wolf for another foray, with the intent to exhaust the bison. When successful, the bison was able to get to its feet and ward off the wolf.

By late Monday, the bison's ability to fend off the attacks was waning, and the wolf was able to attack the bison's hindquarters for brief moments. Ultimately, the wolf would satisfy himself that the bison was too weak to defend itself and likely will call in his pack. Although Yellowstone's wolf packs do predate bison, this attack was rare. Bison make up 5% of wolves' diet, the bulk of which is elk.

A large crowd was enthralled. Some were horrified at the inevitability of it all. One family ushered their children back to their car. Another man shrugged, "It's nature."

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspa...stone.html

Yellowstone crowds witness wolf-bison standoff

The day-and-a-half struggle between an ailing bison and a wolf in Yellowstone National Park came to an end about dusk on Tuesday.

According to park rangers, the beta male of the Canyon Pack brought the bison down in a meadow about 200 yards from a main park road. During the night the entire pack fed on the dead bison.

The pack--the park's smallest, with three adults and three pups--returned Wednesday morning but left again. In the full expression of nature's democracy, an array of animals and birds came to the site to pick the at carcass.

By Wednesday afternoon, a pair of coyotes were defending their turf against incursion from a group of ravens.

The wolf, known to some as Limpy because of a slight limp from an old injury, is the beta or subordinate male in the Canyon Pack, but he is a large and bold animal.While his stalking drama played out over two days in front of dozens of tourists and an equal number of professional photographers--the traffic jam was tremendous--the wolf appeared unperturbed and focused.

Yellowstone's wolves will soon be moving to their winter ground, following the elk to higher elevations. But an unseasonal warmth has kept many of the park's big animals in the valleys and lowlands for tourists to enjoy.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspa...-on-t.html


"Despite their large size, adult moose can and are killed by mountain lions. Four out of seven radio collared moose
released on the Manti in 1995 were killed by mountain lions. Geist (1998) discussed the efficiency of moose in avoiding pursuing and pack hunting predators such as wolves. However, moose may not be as well adapted to ambush type predators such as the mountain lion."


And don't forget about the multiple accounts about komodos killing water buffalo.

Why is it for a surprise for one of the biggest cats to kill a big bovine? In the end,  buffalo just big brutes that  fight for defensive purposes.  This is nothing special

 

None of this has anything to do with a lion killing a cape buffalo.
Komodo dragon kill by bacterial infection, wolves hunt in packs and a moose is not a buffalo.
This is also a Lion predation thread.
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