Huge male lion finishes off a Topi kill and then the hyenas and jackals move in. This big male lion (Osupat) and his three sons have formed a powerful coalition in the Olare Motorogi conservancy in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. We heard that they had taken down a Topi overnight so at first light we set off to find them. Osupat was still on the kill whilst the three sons were snoozing nearby. Several Hyenas and Jackals were circling round looking for scraps but they kept a safe distance from the lion. As he stood up to leave the carcass his breath condensed in the cold morning air. Within seconds of him leaving leaving the kill, a Jackal shot in and grabbed a decent meal, then a hyena came along and carried of the head and spinal column of the Topi. Finally, a second Jackal took away another sizeable piece of the carcass. Great to see a huge male lion finish off a Topi kill and then the hyenas and Jackals move in to scavenge on the remains.
We had seen this impressive male lion one year ago but he was not in very good shape. His brother had been killed so he was on his own and getting rather old. However, this year he had formed a strong coalition with three other males who were either his sons or those of his deceased brother. Osupat had regained his strength and now was a very impressive Lion.
Key words: Kenya, Kenyan, Africa, African, Maasai Mara, Olare Motorogi Conservancy, Kicheche, Bush Camp, wildlife, nature, animals, conservation, safari, lion, male, Osupat, topi, carcass, kill, cat, big cat, big five, hyena, jackal