It's A Tall Order! Lone Lioness Struggles to Kill Giraffe

The desperate predator looked to be getting in difficulty as she struggled to take down the tall animal.

But the reason for her tenacity soon became apparent as she had precious cubs to feed.

Brent Stapelkamp, a 37-year-old researcher saw the dramatic tussle in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.

The lioness refused to let the giraffe escape despite the danger she was in.

The determined cat had been chasing the giraffe, which can grow to six metres tall, with its pride.

But the other lionesses were distracted by a passing warthog and chose to chase the easier prey instead.

Brent said: “A giraffe’s kick can easily kill a lion so we were desperate that her pride come to help.

“Two one year olds came and followed her but added no help.

“The killing bite is to the throat but she had to bring it down first so chose the bite the chest, eventually causing the giraffe to fall.

“It fell in top of her and we gasped because we have lost lions like that before, but as it rolled off, she was out and at the throat.

“Only later did we see that she had fresh suckle stains on her teat meaning she had new cubs hidden and waiting for a feed.

“This explained her tenacity.”