lion the victim

i watched a documentary yesterday and for once in a very long time, i was impressed by how it was shot. or for that matter, how it managed to capture a scene were the lion was killed by a herd of bulls.

apparently, the scene started with how the lion tried to kill a bull. it did not succeed and ended up with the bull running off in fear. the sudden attack resulted in the herd running in a frenzied and chaotic manner. and so, to safeguard itself from being trampled by the herd, the lion had to climb up a tree. the poor lion grabbed onto the branch for his dear life. soon enough, the herd of bulls calmed down and the lion decided to make a second attempt at one of the bulls.

this time, the bulls were prepared. as the lion bit one of the bull, the bull used his hind legs to kick the lion. and as he did so, the lion loses his grip and fell. immediately the herd turned against the lion and continuous head butt him with their sharp horns. it was pure brutality on the part of the bulls. they pierced and trampled onto the lion simultaneously and you could see how the lion struggled as it was being tossed and trampled non-stop. soon enough, the herd stopped and the scene showed a lion, almost dead on the ground. 

it was really interesting. in my years of watching documentaries, this was the first time i see a predator killed by its prey. and for that matter, a herbivorous prey. i couldn't comprehend my emotions that very moment cos on one hand, i was cheering the bulls on as they managed to overcome their natural adversary, yet on the other hand, i was pitying the poor lion as the bulls reacted to him. i could see the fear in his face and almost heard his screams. this was what i could term - cognitive dissonance. in all sense.

i was in awe.