Belgian wildlife photographer Iris Braun accidentally captured a hyena grabbing a lion’s head at South Africa’s Kruger National Park. The images depict the hyena walking on the road, proudly displaying its victory and asserting dominance after it and its companions overcame the ‘king of the jungle.’
” The night before, a lioness was seriously injured. It is possible that she was unlucky and fell prey to the hyenas. To take down a lion, the hyenas will have to take action. together in a very harmonious way” . Iris Braun shares.
After choosing its prey, the hyena will persistently pursue the target at speeds that can reach up to 40 miles per hour.
It’s uncommon to witness a hyena seizing a lion’s head after bringing down a substantial prey in nature, as they typically find themselves being pursued by the ‘king of the jungle.’ Iris Braun remarked, “It’s a harsh image, but life in the wild operates that way. It signifies the cruelty in the survival struggle between lions and hyenas. They are natural enemies, prepared to eliminate each other in the pursuit of survival.”
Hyenas, as formidable carnivores, pose a threat as organized and dangerous predators in groups. They frequently target vulnerable prey, such as the elderly, weakened, or unhealthy young animals for easier kills. Spotted hyenas operate within a “matriarchal” system, where females, beyond their reproductive roles, also wield dominance within the herd.
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The moment a hyena grabs a lion’s head to ‘show off its prestige’.
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