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Overview
ED_HUNT.TXT
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The Hunted
ED_HUNT.TXT
4
8
The Hunter
ED_HUNT.TXT
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8
Other Predators
ED_HUNT.TXT
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Cheetah
134010P.PCX
0
0
Gazelle
77025P.PCX
0
0
Giraffe
130014P.PCX
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0
Hyena
130019P.PCX
0
0
Hyenas and vultures
130020P.PCX
0
0
Prey on the Serengeti
77037P.PCX
0
0
Vultures
4133_06P.PCX
0
0
Warthog
130074P.PCX
0
0
Wildebeest
77031P.PCX
0
0
Wildebeest herd
77038P.PCX
0
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Zebra
130068P.PCX
0
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After the kill
EATING.FLC
100
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Buffalo kill
4013_45P.FLC
100
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Chasing zebra
AERIAL_P.FLC
100
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Going for the gazelle
GAZELLE.FLC
100
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Going for the zebra
4016_43P.FLC
100
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Hyenas in the mix
4000_28P.FLC
100
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Sharing the carcass
4000_50P.FLC
100
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Stalking
STALKING.FLC
100
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The chase
STALK_P.FLC
100
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Watching the gazelle
4026_07P.FLC
100
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Zebra kill
BITEZEBR.FLC
100
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#
16
The Serengeti is home to 8 major
predators (which include the 
hyena, two types of jackals, the 
leopard and cheetah, the wild 
dog, and, of course, the lion, and 
man).

There are also 20 or so species of 
prey, of which 12 are most 
frequently hunted: (wildebeest, 
zebra, two types of gazelle,  
eland, topi, hartebeest, impala, 
waterbuck, warthog, buffalo, and 
giraffe).



#
16
In this dynamic environment, one 
group needs the other as a food 
source in order to survive, and 
the other merely needs to stay 
alive.

As such, the offensive and 
defensive mechanisms employed 
by each provide a fascinating 
study of life in the wild.

In the Serengeti, where you are 
either the hunter...or the hunted, 
life is indeed held in a delicate 
balance. 


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#
19
The habitat of the Serengeti is 
occupied by many different kinds 
of prey, but most are not eaten 
by the lions on a regular basis: 
some because they are too small 
to provide much of a meal, 
others because they are too large 
to be brought down by a single 
lion. And some, like the porcu-
pine and rhinoceros, because they 
possess defensive "armament" that 
the lion seems reluctant to 
challenge.

Lions, however, eat anything -- 
from crocodiles to ostriches.  
But, their favorite prey are zebra, 
wildebeest, and buffalo.



#
16
Gazelle, impalas, and warthogs 
are considered small, but are 
eaten when preferred prey is not 
available.

The average adult lion or lioness 
can bring down an adult zebra, 
waterbuck, gazelle, warthog, 
ostrich, wildebeest, topi, or 
hartebeest by itself.

Buffalo and giraffe are 
communally hunted. Rhinos, 
hippos and elephants are 
generally off limits.



#
14
Species of resident prey include 
the buffalo, topi and impala.

In the plains, almost half of the 
prey population is comprised of 
migratory wildebeest, as well as 
gazelle, zebra, and eland.

Only the smaller, nomadic 
population of lions follow the 
migratory herds, while the 
greater portion of resident lions 
remain in their pride areas.



#
14
During the dry season, food 
becomes scarce on the plains. If a 
lion does not follow the 
migratory herds into the 
woodlands, they must scrounge 
and make do with what is 
available.

On the plains or in the 
woodlands, the success or failure 
of a hunt depends equally on the 
prowess of the lion and the agil-
ity of the prey.



#
16
In general, the lion cannot run as 
fast as its prey, and is most 
successful in capturing its quarry 
if it can be approached closely 
enough to prevent it from being 
able to run away at full speed. 
Lions have an average speed of  
about 35 miles per hour (or 55 
kilometers per hour). But the 
wildebeest and gazelle attain 
speeds of 50 miles per hour (or 
about 80 kilometers per hour). 
The lion needs to get close to 
these animals before attacking 
them.



#
20
In the case of lions, as long as a 
minimum distance of about 130 
to 200 feet (40 to 60 meters) is 
maintained, most prey appear to 
feel safe.

If a lion begins to walk or move 
toward them, prey may trot or 
begin to flee, but after 150 feet 
(45 meters), they stop and glance 
back to reassess the potential 
danger.

There are some common defense 
"moves" on the part of a herd 
when it feels threatened: zebras 
bunch up, gazelles scatter, and 
most animals run, leap, and 
zigzag through the terrain.



#
19
The lion tires easily and can only 
run for comparatively short 
distances, so it must make the kill 
early in the chase.
									   
The zebra and topi are probably 
the most alert and vigilant of the 
prey, while the giraffe and buffalo 
seem to be the least concerned 
about a lion's proximity. This 
may be due to their relatively 
larger size and the presence of 
hooves and horns which make 
formidable defense "weapons."

These animals often let lions get 
within 65 to 100 feet (20 to 30 
meters).



#
19
One rule of thumb regarding 
prey versus predator is that there 
always has to be a far greater 
number of prey than predators in 
order to maintain a "balance of  
nature."

In the Serengeti, in general, there 
are virtually millions of prey 
animals as compared to 
thousands of lions.

But, despite this seemingly 
impressive ratio, lions still lead a 
life of scarcity alternating with 
plenty, thanks to both the skill 
and the seasonal patterns of its 
prey.



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#
17
Although it can be considered 
violent by human sensibilities, 
there are many who feel nothing 
is as beautiful to watch than the 
fluid, controlled movements of a 
lion on a hunt.

While both male and female lions 
hunt, the male excels at 
unexpected opportunities where 
grabbing, not stalking, is 
employed.

It is the female, with her sleek, 
unencumbered body, who is the 
superior hunter.



#
19
The stalking walk, the poised 
crouch before the prey is rushed, 
and the pounce that brings down 
the fleeing animal characterizes 
the familiar hunting pattern.

However, another common 
approach is for the lioness to 
slink from bush to bush, 
remaining under cover, 
watchfully eyeing her prey, 
closing in, waiting for the most 
opportune moment to strike.

When a lioness makes her move 
toward a running animal, she 
gauges in advance where it will 
be when she lunges.



#
17
She uses several methods for 
bringing down her prey:
  -- leaping against its side,
  -- grabbing it by the rump,
  -- slapping it or grabbing it,
  -- and, seizing it by the nose 
     with a paw or with her teeth, 
     using sheer force to drag the 
     head down.
			
Then, the lioness completes the 
kill by biting the prey on the 
back of the neck or on the 
throat, or she may suffocate the 
animal by placing her mouth 
over that of the prey.



#
18
The standard operating procedure 
is to bring the animal down and 
then kill it, although in the 
process of bringing down the 
prey, the power of the lion's 
movement often breaks the prey 
animal's neck.

After the kill, the lioness often 
drags or carries the prey to 
shade, or to a more protected 
area.
				
Then, it's time to eat.

Other lions join in, with the 
males given priority.



#
17
Cubs may also be invited to share 
the remains of the carcass.

Once the lions have eaten their 
fill, the scavengers move in to 
complete the job.

The average lion at the average 
kill eats about 15 pounds of 
meat. Most of the meat is eaten 
on the spot, and lions frequently 
"gorge"themselves -- eating as 
much as 35 pounds of meat -- 
preparing for times when they 
will obtain less food than 
desired.



#
16
A lion can go for days without a 
decent kill, and is able to 
consume enough meat in one 
hearty meal to last over a week.

A lion typically feeds every 2-1/2 
to 3-1/2 days.

Lions hunt both at night and in 
the day; singly, in pairs, and 
communally; under cover and out 
in the open; and they scavenge, as 
well as hunt, "dining" on remains 
of animals brought down by 
others.



#
14
About half of the kills are 
brought down by single lions, 
roughly 20% by two animals, 
and the remainder by groups.

Lions are definitely more 
effective hunters when some kind 
of cover is present.

All prey know that the lion is 
most dangerous when it cannot 
be seen, and statistics bear this 
out.



#
16
Three-fourths of prey are caught 
in the plains near some sort of  
tall or mid-level grasses, and 
lions have over 40% success rate 
when they can stalk under the 
cover of darkness, as opposed 
to an approximately 24% success 
rate during the day. 

Even though not every hunt is 
successful, the lion's skill and 
resourcefulness allow it to 
survive even during the lean 
times, and to remain "The King 
of Beasts."



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#
20
At any successful kill in which 
the lions are the "stars," there 
is also a cast of "extras" who 
observe the proceedings and wait 
greedily for the lions to depart, 
so that they, in turn, can have a 
go at the remains.

These spectators include hyenas, 
jackals, and vultures.

Hyenas and lions have many ways 
of relating to each other.

After a lion has killed, hyenas 
usually withdraw a short distance 
from the site, watching the lions 
intently, waiting for them to 
leave.



#
19
Other times, a pack of hyenas 
may attempt to drive away a 
group of lions.

The hyenas gather around, 
making loud "whooping" noises, 
alternately moving in and moving 
out, creating an unsettling 
atmosphere that provokes the 
lions to a premature exit.

But, this "scaring off of the 
killer" works both ways, and 
lions also scavenge from hyenas. 
In fact, it is estimated that, on 
the plains, lions obtain up to 42% 
of their food by scavenging from 
hyenas.



#
19
It is not uncommon to see lions 
engaged in a tug-of-war with a 
hyena over a scrap of meat, or to 
see a lion eating at one end of a 
kill while hyenas are gobbling 
their fill at the other end.

However, lions and hyenas are 
mortal enemies, and both attack 
and kill the other for no 
apparent reason.

Vultures are also very common 
at lion kills, but they tend to 
keep their distance. This is be-
cause lions frequently attack 
vultures that have settled on 
the prey.



#
16
As a result, most vultures simply 
bide their time, circling the area, 
moving in cautiously toward the 
end of the meal, waiting for the 
carcass to be abandoned so that 
they can finally eat undisturbed.

One reason lions may be so 
hostile to the presence of vultures 
is that they have learned from 
experience that vultures can 
literally eat a carcass "clean," and 
if a lion doesn't arrive on the 
scene within an hour, it is apt to 
discover that there is nothing left 
to eat!
