Despite the death of her calf, the mother giraffe remained nearby, fiercely trying to fend off the hyenas that approached the body.
Mother giraffe stays close to her deceased calf.
Tour guide Alexandra Olivieri filmed the mother giraffe’s efforts to protect her calf’s body in the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa, as reported by Latest Sightings on April 5. While working at Kings Camp, Olivieri noticed a flock of vultures descending and decided to investigate what had attracted them.
“We never expected to see a female giraffe fiercely fighting off a pack of hyenas to keep them away from her calf, which was likely just born. I have been a guide for 10 years, and this is definitely one of the most memorable sights I’ve ever witnessed,” Olivieri shared.
In the video, the mother giraffe circles near her calf’s body. Whenever a hyena approaches, she quickly rushes in to chase it away. She prevents the hyenas from feeding on her calf with growls and powerful stomps.
“The next morning, we returned to see what had happened overnight. When we arrived, the pack of hyenas was feeding on the giraffe calf. Shortly after, a male lion appeared and stole the prey, finishing off what was left,” Olivieri recounted.
“If it weren’t for the vultures, we wouldn’t have witnessed this extraordinary scene. It’s important to stay alert to the unfolding events around you. Give the animals space to continue their actions, and remember that you are merely an observer, not to intervene or influence what you are witnessing,” she added.
With its famously long neck, the giraffe (Giraffa) is the tallest land animal in the world, with adults reaching heights of up to 5.5 meters. This remarkable height helps them avoid predators like lions and hyenas while allowing them to feed on leaves and buds high in trees. They often roam the African savannas in small groups.
