Lions typically hunt in groups, but the clip below shows that a solitary lion can also use its intelligence to easily defeat its prey.
The video, recorded in Kruger National Park (South Africa), begins with a scene of a lion actively approaching a calf, a member of a large herd of buffalo, as described by Maasai Sightings.
Calf daringly confronts lion.
As a seasoned predator, the cunning lion does not rush into attacking its prey. It knows that doing so could “set off a chain reaction,” alerting the nearby buffalo herd to come to the calf’s aid.
Therefore, it quietly follows to draw the prey’s attention. The lion even pretends to be a bit hesitant and shy, aiming to make the calf let its guard down and approach.
Trapped by the lion’s ruse, the calf chases after the supposed enemy for quite a distance. It is unaware that the lion is merely pretending to lure it away from the herd. Ultimately, the lion’s plan succeeds, and it easily secures a meal just minutes later. However, the footage capturing the tragic end of the calf was cut from the video.
In Western culture, lions are dubbed the “king of the jungle” or “king of beasts.” They are regarded as supreme predators and top carnivores on the savanna. They are willing to do whatever it takes to survive and are among the hardest animals to take down on the plains.
