September 2023 – Giraffe Hunting in the Hoanib
Sunday 1 October 2023
Floodplain Pride
A major development of the hunting behaviour and predation by the two “Orphan” lionesses (Xpl-106 “Alpha” and Xpl-109 “Bravo) occurred during the past two weeks. Due to our persistent continuity in monitoring the hunting behaviour and food intake of the lionesses, DLC is extremely fortunate to have documented the event.
Taught by the legendary lioness Xpl-10 “Queen”, who first settled in the Hoanib River during the early 2000s, all her descendants that formed the Hoanib and Hoanib Floodplain prides were, and still are active and successful hunters of giraffes. Even the single lioness Xpl-114 “Charly”, who learnt the skills from the lioness Xpl-69 (before her death), are still actively hunting giraffes.
Her two orphaned sisters, Xpl-106 “Alpha” & Xpl-109 “Bravo, however, never learnt those skills. Until two weeks ago these two lionesses, now almost 8 years old, never attempted to hunt giraffes and would just watch then walk past.
During the night of 6 Aug 2023 the two “Orphans” caught and fully consumed a medium-sized prey animal during the night. Once they departed the site, great was our surprise at the discovery that they killed a small giraffe calf. The lionesses then moved to the coast where direct observations were intensified. During their six days at the coast, they captured two large adult male Cape fur seals. The second seal bull was the biggest seal they have yet subdued, and their behaviour suggested a level of confidence not previously observed.
After leaving the coastal habitat and crossing the dune-belt, the lionesses moved to the area where they found the giraffe calf. On 20 Aug 2023 the lionesses succeeded in pulling down an adult female giraffe, approximately 3 km from the site of their first success with the giraffe calf. Similar to their behaviour at the last big seal carcass, the two lioness and the young female cub appeared joyful and regularly displayed playful behaviours. The lions remained at the giraffe carcass during harsh sand and dust-storms for a full week and consumed the entire carcass.
Adult female giraffe killed by the “Orphan: lionesses on 20 Aug 2023
Remains of the giraffe calf killed by the “Orphan”
lionesses on 6 Aug 2023
Images of lionesses & cub playing at their first adult giraffe kill
Lions braving dust-storms as they learn how to deal with such a large carcass
Still chasing Pied crows, the Orphan lions near the end of the seven days feeding on the giraffe
After leaving the giraffe carcass, the ”Orphan” lionesses rested on the banks of the Hoanib River, where they had a few encounters with elephants that were feeding along the riverbank. Watching the lions (and elephants) over a two-day period, was beautiful. The social dynamics within the elephant heard was fascinating, and especially their attentiveness and care for the small calves.
