This incredible clip was captured in 2020 at Nkorho Bush Lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Two of the most infamous African scavengers go head to head for a fresh kill.
Vultures: The Scavengers
Vultures are very well known scavengers, and outside of the ocean, vultures are the only obligate scavengers – meaning they rely solely on carrion. A group of vultures that are feeding is termed a ‘wake’, when they’re in flight it’s called a ‘kettle’, and the term ‘committee’ refers to vultures on the ground or in trees.
Because they have such corrosive stomach acid, they can safely consume carcasses even if they are affected by numerous bacteria that might be lethal to other scavengers.
Hyena drags the prey around the reserve
It is a myth that spotted hyenas are primarily scavengers. They are the second most dominant predators in Africa after lions. heir jaw and teeth structure is also suitable to fill a scavenging niche; however, spotted hyenas hunt more than they scavenge, in fact, in some areas, they hunt 80% of the time. They are coursing predators that hunt into a herd and identify weak individuals.
The hyena acts very protective over the kills. Chasing away the wake of vultures who keep trying to get at the carcass. The hyena then proceeds to drag the carcass around the reverse, eventually settling in the pan, where the vultures can’t reach it.
Vultures actively compete with predators for food. They will often wait patiently for the predators to finish eating before swooping in. Unfortunately for them, this hyena keeps an eye on the kill, and continues to feed on it.
Black-backed Jackals chance it
The hyena does a good job of keep the kill from the vultures well into the night. This time, two black-backed jackals try their luck. The hyena continues to selfishly snack on the carcass, scaring away the black-backed jackals.
