Watch This Impala’s Desperate Fight to Survive Against Wild Dogs

Continue reading for our analysis...

Despite its vital injuries from an African Wild dog, a male impala (ram) fought to the very end. One wild dog had it pinned to the ground, savagely tearing apart its flesh. As the scene unfolds, the ram pivots, allowing the attack to cease momentarily. With the pressure off, it stands up, revealing its gruesome injuries. The ram turned and faced the wild dog in a powerful stance — horns pointed directly at it — prepared to give the predator another charge. However, the wild dog called for backup. A group of wild dogs appear, surrounding the ram in every direction. He made one final effort, but the pack was too much to overcome. They brought him down and finished their kill, each joining to share a hard-earned meal. If you’re wondering if a scene like this is typical in the animal kingdom, continue reading. We will discuss the natural defenses of the impala, as well as the collective strength of an African wild dog pack.

How Dangerous Is a Cornered Impala?

This medium-sized antelope is quick and agile, able to run up to 50 miles per hour and leap 10 feet in the air when in danger. While their natural defense leads them to dash under threat — moving in different directions to confuse a predator — impalas are still a threat when under pressure. As we witnessed in the above footage, males are equipped with a long, sharp pair of spiral horns. Rams can also weigh up to 165 pounds, and their horns can grow to match the same length as their body height. Dominant males often use their horns to protect their territory or challenge rival males, but they will also use these built-in weapons when corned by predators. They will stand with their heads pointed down and horns directed at the threat. If rams can hold their ground effectively, they can use their speed and athleticism to flee from predators.

How Deadly Are a Pack of Wild Dogs?

As you can tell, African wild dogs are a real threat to anything in their path deemed as food. These apex predators are the best hunters on the African continent, with a success rate of 80%. Social canines, African wild dogs are cooperative hunters built for running great distances without tiring out. They can move up to 41 miles per hour and pursue their target for up to 3 miles, wearing it down over time. Lastly, they will devour their prey while it’s still alive. It turns out that this leads to a quicker and less painful death.