Drought is good for predators – lack of food weakens many of the animals they prey on, making them much easier to catch. In late 2016, Kruger National Park in South Africa was in serious drought. No rain had fallen for months, and almost all of the green grass had gone, leaving bare ground and water-stressed shrubs.

This lioness was guarding and pulling at the partly eaten remains a drought-weakened buffalo on the edge of the Tshokwane- Lowe Sabie Road. She was guarding the carcass against hyaenas, vultures and other potential scavengers while she waited for her pride to arrive. About two hours later they arrived – two adult lionesses, one blind in an eye and four large cubs. They all settled down and began eating the buffalo together.

Footage filmed October 19, 2016.

Drought is good for predators – lack of food weakens many of the animals they prey on, making them much easier to catch. In late 2016, Kruger National Park was in serious drought. No rain had fallen for months, and almost all of the green grass had gone, leaving bare ground and water-stressed shrubs. This lioness was guarding and pulling at the partly eaten remains a drought-weakened buffalo on the edge of the Tshokwane- Lowe Sabie Road. She was guarding the carcass against hyaenas, vultures and other potential scavengers while she waited for her pride to arrive. About two hours later they arrived – two adult lionesses, one blind in an eye and four large cubs. They all settled down and began eating the buffalo together.