WARNING: This blog post contains images depicting gruesome scenes of of violence, which you may find disturbing.

While on safari in Zambia I witnessed a pack of African Wild Dogs kill two Impalas. Some will find the photos unpleasant, so you may choose not to read on.

 

In the photo below, two African Wild Dogs attack and subdue a male adult Impala:

Two wild dogs attack and subdue an impala.

The dogs quickly begin feeding:

They quickly begin feeding.

Vultures soon arrive to see what scraps they can obtain:

Vultures soon arrive.

Initially, the vultures have only the stomach and intestines to pick from, which are of no interest to the dogs:

Initially, the vultures have only the stomach and intestines to pick from, which are of no interest to the dogs.

After a short time, the dogs pause from feeding to look for their pack-mates, with which to share the bounty:

After a short time, the dogs pause from feeding to look for their pack-mates, with which to share the bounty.

The dogs, to our surprise, leave their fresh kill to the vultures. We follow.

The dogs, to our surprise, leave their fresh kill to the vultures. We follow.

The two Wild Dogs which had deserted their kill led us to two of their pack-mates, which had also killed an impala at about the same time:

The two Wild Dogs which had deserted their kill led us to two of their pack-mates, which had also killed an impala at about the same time.

They all shared in the feast:

They all shared in the feast.

Along came several hyenas, which quickly took over the meal:

Along came several hyenas, which quickly took over the meal.

The dogs have no choice but to abandon their hard-earned prey. So they leave the scene:

The dogs have no choice but to abandon their hard-earned prey. So they leave the scene.

And the hyenas proceeded to consume the impala:

And the hyenas proceeded to consume the impala.

A subordinate hyena is left with the inedible scraps:

A subordinate hyena is left with the inedible scraps.

The subordinate hyena cautiously approaches the kill, but is rejected:

The subordinate hyena cautiously approaches the kill, but is rejected.

This hyena walks off with the bulk of the kill to a protected area, where it can feast in peace:

This hyena walks off with the bulk of the kill to a protected area, where it can feast in peace.

Another hyena returns to the scene, looking for any leftovers ...

Another hyena returns to the scene, looking for any leftovers ...

And finds some limited success:

And finds some limited success.