A Huge Male Lion Fearlessly Challenges a Clan of Over 20 Hyenas

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In this incredible clip, we are introduced to the magnificent Olobor – a male lion. He has found himself in some hyena territory and it would be fair to say that the hyenas are not happy about it. They surround the big cat and proceed to attack him from every direction. One young hyena will live (or not live) to regret attacking such a powerful lion. It has been severely injured in the confrontation.

Sensing the hyena’s weakness, the lion switches from defender to attacker. He trots towards the stricken hyena, pounces, and delivers a killer bite. Even though the rest of the hyenas return to defend their clan mate, it is too late. A few of the other hyenas are also limping but this one is clearly dead. Towards the end of the clip, the lion lifts up the hyena’s body in his mouth in what appears to be the ultimate display of dominance. He then walks away.

Scroll down to watch the entire extraordinary footage.

What Is a Group of Hyenas Called?

A group of hyenas can be called a pack, a clan, or even a cackle. The noise on this video demonstrates clearly where the final option comes from! They are a highly social animal who live in female dominated societies. There are one or more matrilineal lines in the group and a few males. Clans can be as small as eight individuals or as large as 80. The clan membership offers safety and better access to food. The dominant female is the one that has given birth to most cubs.

Do Lions and Hyenas Get On?

As we see in this clip, things can get pretty heated between lions and hyenas. They share the same habitats and target the same prey and are therefore competitors. Most of the time, lions dominate any interactions with spotted hyenas.

It is typical to see hyenas following lions around but many lions choose to simply ignore the hyenas. Nevertheless, if the hyenas overstep the mark and start to harass the lion it will have no hesitation in retaliating.

Whilst it’s true that clans of hyenas have overcome solitary lions, that clearly didn’t happen in this case.

Lions and hyenas also steal food from each other. Having said that, it is normally the lions that steal the food from the hyenas!