National Geographic Eternal Enemies: Lions and Hyenas Page #4

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much of her story they can smell.

One can't help becoming caught up

in the spine-chilling excitement of the hunt.

Perhaps it has something to do

with the memory of time gone by

when we the prey and

our nights were filled with darkness.

It's the time of the wildebeest again

and the tony shapes are

drawn by the need to devour.

As always,

the killers're watched from the shadows.

Quickly the hyenas identify the lions

and realize that the males are absent.

Because Matsumi is weaker, she has to struggle

to find her way into the feeding frenzy.

The noise attracts the entire Southern Clan.

As the numbers mount up, the battle begins.

Perhaps sparked by recent memories

Matsumi is the most aggressive.

The numbers are too great,

- the battle too fierce.

Hyenas are masters at exploiting chaos.

They keep Matsumi isolated

while attacking other lionesses viciously.

The lions are helpless.

From the safety of the trees

they can only watch their kill disappear.

Blood flows tonight.

This incident at least

was simply a struggle for food,

competition between the superpredators.

We chose to stay with the lions

as the prowling hyenas

melted away into the night.

By dawn the lions were

still isolated in small groups,

reluctant to venture down from the trees.

The pride begins to relax.

They seem confident

by the lifting of the darkness

and the disappearance of their enemies.

Matsumi is still shaken.

Getting up a tree is always easy,

coming down is less dignified.

The matriarch's only surviving cub,

the Princess,

is still enjoying the privilege of her birth.

During the long hours we spent around the dens

the hyenas came to ignore us totally

and played out their social games.

Social time around the den

strengthens the individual's place in the clan.

And along the long journey

from pure scavengers to hunters,

hyenas have adopted a quick

and clear identification system

that is reinforced each day.

The Pricess is being groomed

for leadership of the clan,

but she is still dependent on her mother.

Night after night these hyenas pass the hours

within earshot of the lions,

constantly aware of the others' presence,

always alert for a weakness to be used.

Two families are feuding enemies.

With each passing phase of seasonal change,

Savuti is transformed as if by magic.

Thousands of zebras migrate into the area

and the lions react immediately,

converging on any stampede.

Lions appear from everywhere,

ignoring old established boundaries,

encroaching on forbidden ground.

They are all after the same food supply.

As Matsumi leads the Central Pride in the hunt,

another pride comes running in.

They are neighbours and constant adversaries

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