Death of a Zebra

[Marc Mol]

Have just returned from 4 weeks in Kenya & Tanzania, to catch the migration, and was very fortunate to witness this event in both countries.
One of the most remarkable events my wife and I witnessed was this predation by a pack of Hyenas on this poor and unfortunate Zebra mare who was heavily pregnant and simply couldn't keep up with the herd, it was the first time myself and my guide of 15 years had ever observed. Subsequently the unborn foal was savagely ripped out and carried off by one Hyena, it was heart breaking to watch, simply too much for one person in another vehicle next to us and asked to leave after this happened. All the time this mare never uttered a sound as the savagery of the pack set in, no doubt in severe shock.
We have witnessed the circle of life as last year we enjoyed a Zebra birth and now this poor mare's demise.


D3s 500VR 1/500s ISO800@f/4 Masai Mara, Kenya Oct 2010

C & C most welcome

Cheers
Marc

[Ken Watkins]

Marc,

Now that is nasty, we saw Hyena eat a live Wildebeest in the Mara and that was pretty grim.

Glad you missed the brutal bits.

Personally I never believe the "shock" excuse.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Marc and welcome back.

Personally I find it an image of two halves. You have the zebra with it's intense look/stare which implies to me a total disregard to what is about to happen, juxtapose to the bloody faced hyenas surrounding her. I would like to have seen a wider POV on this as it would perhaps have give more of the scene/event. Certainly a sad and gruesome moment, but one that is part of life and they kill to eat, not for anything else.

Look forward to more.

TFS
Steve :)

[Marc Mol]

Appreciate the comments Ken & Steve.

Ken
I'm no expert, but if it's not shock that animals experience, I wonder why she uttered NO sound at all?

Steve
I deliberately didn't want a wider view on this particular image as it was simply too gruesome, but understand your POV.
I have many other images of this scene that may suffice.

[Steve Kaluski]

Hi Marc, I know what you mean, but this is life and it happens everyday (well if they are lucky), but perhaps this is not the vehicle to show the full extent of the animals grief.

BTW Someone tried to make a claim against a tour operator, as the client had not been advised that she might see a kill and therefore was in 'shock' after seeing one!!! Good job she was not with you guys, LOL.:D

[Marc Mol]

Hi Marc, I know what you mean, but this is life and it happens everyday (well if they are lucky), but perhaps this is not the vehicle to show the full extent of the animals grief.

BTW Someone tried to make a claim against a tour operator, as the client had not been advised that she might see a kill and therefore was in 'shock' after seeing one!!! Good job she was not with you guys, LOL.:D

Couldn't agree more Steve, this is nature at it's rawest. People who travel on safari must surely realise that.

[Harshad Barve]

This is THE moment in wildlife photographers life and we are there to document it.

I liked this image very much as posted but would definitely love to see wide angle image

BTW Someone tried to make a claim against a tour operator, as the client had not been advised that she might see a kill and therefore was in 'shock' after seeing one!!!

now I can't believe this , :D:D:D:D:D

[Rachel Hollander]

Peter - a powerful image. Well captured. Particularly like that the hyena is baring its teeth. Sounds like a very intense sighting and as others said, it is nature.

TFS,
Rachel

[DanWalters]

Very dramatic image! The red on the hyenas really conflicts with the almost serene look of the zebra.

[Stephen Earle]

What a sighting! I like this as shown but also vote for a wider view

[Steve Kaluski]

Harshad, I hate to think what they would make of your ***** cats :D:D:D

[Grant Atkinson]

Hi Marc, this is an excellent image for me. It is so unusual to see the hyena and zebra so close to one another, and all faces pointing the same way, almost as if they are all watching something together. I think you did well to get a fairly clean shot out of what was obviously a gruesome scene. Also liked the contrast between the dark red of the blood on the hyena, and the stark black and white of the zebra..
cheers
Grant

[peter delaney]

Hi Marc, welcome back ,glad you had a great trip.... as nature photographers we all dream of catching moments like this... I never find it gruesome .. I think observing thru a viewfinder detaches you somewhat.. and u realise that this is just daily life for these creatures...

I like how you focused on the Zebra... the look of acceptance on the zebras face makes this image... I too would like the wider view....

well done, looking forward to more of your images..
peter

[Shreyas Mantri]

Marc, this must've been a gratifying experience, and a very unique one. I've visited this picture multiple times to visualize the experience!
Gruesome as it is, but another example of the predatory prowess of the Hyenas.
The shot is excellent, and the subtlety it shows of the event is even better!

Regards
Shreyas